Learning to play saxophone

[Biishop]

This is the story of my life........................>
I have always wanted to play the saxophone since i was 11yrs old, and had been unfortunate in getting one. now I am 20 I have managed to purchase a saxophone for myself. my passion for this instrument is beyond measure, I want to learn to play like artists like kenny G, David Coz etc.. I have hah this sax for 5days now.

I dont want to pick it up and start playing because i understand it is an instrument that can easily be played wrong. I have tried searching for a tutor in my local community but the price is too expensive, so I want to self teach myself, then when I HAVE MONEY i can then try a tutor to lighten the shadows in my playin technique.

Please can someone help me on a step by step guide to me playing the instruments, I dont want to read note, but i want to only play by ear. :o please any effort contributed to the success of my playing will be greatly appreciated.

the sax is an alto, i have done a wide range of research from internet but i enjoy personal approach.

thank you

[Gordon (NZ)]

Have you looked at the wealth of info available at the home page of sOTW?

[lela]

Biishop,

Maybe there is a good book out there but I can tell you from experience as a new learning just about a month, you can't beat having a good teacher to get you started. I say do what you can to get at least 5 to 10 lessons then you get go at it on your own.


As you said, you don't want to learn wrong habits, then that is a good reason to have someone with experience help you get started. I understand money is an issue (it is always, isn't it) but I am afraid you will have to look hard to find one.

At least that is my opinion and best of luck. I share your enthusiasm for learning and playing the sax. I am not sure about being like Kenny G. :)

Lela

[Joe Linux]

Get Hal Leonard's "Alto Sax Today" Method. It costs $20.00 and comes with a DVD and CD. It should be more than enough to get you going by yourself. A lot of expensive music lessons sometimes are a waste.

[goodsax]

I would add, "The Art of Playing Saxophone" by Lary Teal. It contains a wealth of sax playing information no serious sax player should be without, especially beginning sax players, but also more experienced players.

[jazzbluescat]

I agree that a teacher would help you greatly, especially at the beginning. Look up a high school band director, maybe he/she'll help. Even if sax isn't his main instrument he'd be better than nothing. Also, if you get a teacher he'll probably want you to get a book that he's familiar with.

If you get a book you'll need to learn to read (notes) for starters. It won't hurt you; I bet even Kenny G can read.

[Biishop]

Thank you all for contributing, Lela mentioned not like kenny G, wots wrong with him, [lela am not picking on you]. You see i live in uk and the cheapest lesson in my area is £24 p Hr, and if I do ten lessons, wow thats alot. I think I will buy the idea of buying method books and dvds. moreover, I have gained basic techniques such as assembling the instrument, cleaning, and recently I am only practicing long tones, playing scales on c and G and also breating techniques. So I want ur advices I understand it is better to learn from students because you are almost in the same position. I have a lot of questions that if start there it will be almost the size of a dictionary, i'll start with as beginners what are the things that I should be concentrating on?
Thank you all 1 love

[Kareeser]

Learning from students has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is, yes, you might learn a bit faster.

The disadvantage is that because both parties are unaware that they may be doing something incorrectly, they may permanently engrain that into practice.... Secondly, you can't go very far with that, unless one of the two is receiving sax lessons from a third party, :)

Some people on this forum don't like Kenny G. That's all I can say.
Do a search on this forum, and you'll find some very heated debates on that subject...

[goodsax]

Bishop - You might consider taking 1/2 hour lessons every two weeks, if that will make it easier on the budget. A good teacher can cover a lot in 30 minutes and you can use the two weeks to practice what you learn. As for Kenny G, if you like him, what difference does it make what others think? You know what you like, and that's all that should really matter to you. Go for it.