Questions from a beginner

[Oneday]

I'm new to the site and to the sax. Been playhing for 2 months now.
I bought a Helmke cheap Taiwanese sax. It plays real good though. I think it's a real good way to get into pllaying the sax without a big investment. No regrets. However, I know it won't last and I am looking forward to getting a better built sax. Selmer, Yamaha, etc.
Do you recomend Pawn Shops, Ebay, Music shops, other online or just other as a way to get a good used instrument at a bargain? I realize this means I will have to have to have it reconditioned.


Also
I started using the Essential Elements 2000 book. I am 43 and I like the book but, not the prep for band camp. Don't think they will let me in. :lol:
I am using Rubank. Great exercises!
Question is: How many classes should I take before it becomes wasted money. My instructor just listens to me play. I stopped going after 4 lessons, plan to go back when I start the intermediate book. Is this a good idea?

[Jerry K.]

Great to hear you've started playing at 43. Great time to start! I started at 42 and have been playing about 5 years now. I would recommend getting the best Pro player you can find and keep taking lessons. Excellent way to stay on track, make steady progress, and stay motivated by what's possible. Nothing like a great player to mentor you and keep you interested!

As for the books, etc..., I started with the Eubanks beginner and intermediate books and once I was making a good tone and could move pretty comfortably around the horn we started working on the Jamey Aebersold books with play along CDs. I would highly recommend Volume 24 - Major and Minor which works on learning all the scales and Volume 54 - Maiden Voyage which gets you started on some simple jazz tunes.

Enjoy!

[saxophrenic]

OneDay,
Welcome to the SOTW forum and to the wonderful world of saxophone music. I thinnk your life will be enriched by your immersion in music. I would agree with everything Jerry K has said about lessons.

About what horn to buy - please take some time and look around the forum. Check out the sections on beginners, late bloomers, and the brand specific sections (on Yamahas, Selmer's etc). There is a wealth of wisdom and experience on this forum. This is a real community of very supportive folks. Welcome again to you and "keep blowin'".
8) 8)

[Dave Dolson]

OneDay: Ditto.

I'd stay away from pawn shops. Yes, I actually bought a saxophone many years ago at a pawn shop, but I knew what I was doing - and the shop didn't. I see 99% junk at pawn shops these days, but there could be a bargain.

Ebay is another risky area. I have also purchased horns on eBay and have not been burned, but again, I knew what I was looking at - and was prepared to deal with overhauls, etc.

Much better would be a large music store or well-known Internet discounter - or just bite the bullet and buy a new horn. I recently had a social event with a fellow SOTW poster and his family. He is fairly new to alto and has a rented Yamaha YAS-23 (student horn, but a good player). I let him try my new Ref 54 alto - now he's on a quest to buy a new one, too. Once bitten as they say.

The message here is that at your age, if you can afford it, don't mess around with student or intermediate instruments. Do it right the first time and buy a nice horn. You will not regret it. DAVE

[BlueNote]

OneDay: Ditto.

... Do it right the first time and buy a nice horn. You will not regret it. DAVE

I use a semi-professional/student tenor (been using it for years ever since i started playing tenor) and I sound better on it than any of the professional horns out there (Selmer, Yani, Keilworth, etc) that I've tried, and I've tried a bunch (Mark VI, Refs, Custom Zs, to name a couple). It's really all in the mind and what you want it to sound like.

Unless it is obviously a pos horn, you can make any horn sound great if you know what you want to sound like on it.

Just my 2 cents.

[Oneday]

Thanks for the help. It's not that I can't afford a new horn. I'm married and...well you know. :wink:
I bought the cheap model to prove to myself that this is what I wanted to do. So it served its purpose.
I've been talking to shops and reading this site. I think I'll bite the bullet and get a new or slightly used intermediate horn. I am a fan of Grover Washington Jr., George Howard and David Sanborn. I prefer a rough and brassy sound to a tinny one.

This is a great site and I can not thank you guys enough for your knowledge, support and advice.

[Dave Dolson]

BlueNote: I mildly disagree. Yes, one can find (or fix until it works) a cheaper instrument that will outplay anything else one has tried. But, over a large group of saxophones, the pro (read high-end and expensive)models will consistently outplay the student/intermediate horns.

Two weeks ago, I tried a young adult's YAS23 after she complained that it didn't play very good. I played it and it played fine - had a nice, if thin, tone and a good scale. While her and her boyfriend listened in amazement, I played my Ref 54 alto for them. A HUGE difference - and they readily heard it without me prompting a response.

Would the YAS23 work for anyone? Yes. Was the Ref 54 a MUCH better horn in response, feel, scale and tone? You bet. And, I can say the same thing about the other saxophones in my closet.

My message to OneDay is that you can settle for less, but if possible, settle for the best. DAVE

[Sigmund451]

OneDay, Im a late starter too. Ive been at it a little over a year. If you have proved yourself dont bother with intermediate instruments. Play your horn, save your money and really know the sound your after once you decide to buy. I cannot stress the importance of developing your tonal concept prior to buying...it changes and evolves as you play.

If you buy intermediate I will bet my bottom dollar you will be shopping again in a year. If your really dedicated put your money where your mouth is (literally) get a good setup (mouthpieces arent accessories by the way) and have something worth playing for years.

Trading up is likely to cost you more than putting yourself into a pro horn of your liking. Additionally, over time you will find that horn shopping is very serious business that takes time, money, research, and potential travel. Consider that all the time and mental effort that goes into this is time spent AWAY from practice. When the time is right find something good and stick with it (Im giving this lecture to myself as I write because most of us are always wanting another horn. Its really distracting to the whole learning process if its not needed). Welcome to the great world of saxophone playing...there is no place better. Have a blast.

[JL]

I agree with the last two posts. OneDay, don't ignore the vintage saxes if you want to get that great tone. Check out all the threads here on Buescher, Conn, King, Martin, etc. Definitely go with a "pro-horn" in any case.

[gary]

While her and her boyfriend listened in amazement, I played my Ref 54 alto for them. A HUGE difference - and they readily heard it without me prompting a response.
:Shocked: AAAAaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! :Shocked:

:Shocked: Fireworks!! Skyrockets! :Shocked:

Dave. My man. Shame. Shame Dave. Bad Dave. Obviously you haven't heard:
:Rant: "It's not the equipment. It's the player." :Rant: