Playing again ....after 28 years

[newagain]

Hi,

I'm 43 and have started to play the alto sax again (got it for Christmas from my great wife). I played all through school as a kid so I have some background but still not sure where I stand. I have the Yahama beginner book and have run through most of it since Christamas and have downloaded scales and such to work on. I'm thinking of getting someone from the local collage to do an evaluation so I know where to go from here.

Sounds silly but I really don't know how I sound or what I need to work on most at this point. I am getting where I can play some riffs and not have to look back at the "fingering" chart, lol! Alot is comming back to me, I can still growl and bend it, just a little rough...or alot.

I know other have come back after years away, so what did you work on first? Just the basics? Get some input from local teachers?

I have the YAS 23. Thanks for the site!

[goodsax]

Others have asked these questions and received many answers if you check the history of this thread for similar posts.

That said, the best thing to do - and this seems to be the consensus of the SOTW community - is to get a teacher. A list of them usually is available at your local musci store. Then follow their direction in terms of what to study and practice as you get your chops back.

I recommend Larry Teal's, The Art of Playing Saxophone where you will find a lot of helpful information about mouthpieces, reeds, embouchures, the sax itself, breathing exercises, and fundamental but vital basics like that. It's not an exercise book filled with etudes, you can get those in other books like Rubank's method books.

But, most important, look into getting a teacher. It's well worth the investment of your time and money if you're serious about getting back into playing the right way.

[newagain]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to talk to my sons tutor next week (she coaches him in clarinet) and see who she would recomend from GSU. Some of the music majors coach on the side to earn a little money.

As one would expect I was smoking through the first two weeks but its getting tough to hear improvment now. Still having a blast with it though!

Thanks again.

[Helen]

As one would expect I was smoking through the first two weeks but its getting tough to hear improvment now. Still having a blast with it though!


You will notice that a lot as you relearn things. You will go through a series of rapid increases, and then level off for a while. Then you will feel like you're not getting anywhere...Then bang, you've reached another plateau. This is a pattern that will repeat over and over again. The further you progress, the longer you will spend in each level phase before you reach another plateau.

The most important thing to remember is not to get frustrated or give up when it seems you're not going anywhere. You will continue to improve, but not as fast as you did in the beginning.

[newagain]

Yeah, I guess thats normal.
It is, however, amazing how much fun you can have with the old learning standards like "Oh When the Saints" and "Greensleeves" LOL!

I always try to play around with something like that at the end of my practice to keep it fun.

[Sassaphone]

Newagain, check out the Late Bloomers section. It's for people starting or returning later in life--lots of inspiring postings.

[newagain]

Thank! I didn't even see that section.......kid in a candy store here.

[ralph lh]

Hey, Newagain - been there done that.

No I'm not being sarcastic but I've gone through what you're now up against. Twenty five years with not o note then started in 1999. First time I played some jazz was at a summer sax camp in 2000 and on from there.

I would heartily endorse the things mentioned previously along with Aebersold CDs and any jazz camp you can get to. These have been my inspiration along with lots of listening and private teachers. Get a good one, it's well worth it.

This site will provide tons of info for you as well. Check out all the different areas.

While I'm a long way from where I want to be, check out my new web page for some examples of what I've been doing.
www.ralphhopper.ca

Most important - have a goal and keep working at improving. This is sooo much fun!

Good luck
Ralph