Teaching yourself sax (As a trombone player)

[Rock Force]

Hey,

I play trombone (and have for about 4 years). I have always loved the sound of the sax in songs like Turn the Page, Every Generation, and also from artists like Kenny G. and Ronnie Laws. I can read music (I guess it'd be pretty sad if I couldn't being as I play trombone) and have a pretty good sense of rhythm. I want to teach myself to play sax. If I have a great embochure (spelling?) and I don't plan on getting lessons, would it be to difficult to teach myself? Also, are there any good sites that could help me?

Thanks

By the way, the model I'm looking into is the Vito 7131R with a selmer C* mouthpiece. Not sure what kind of reeds I should start out with, so I could use some help with that, too.

[Dave Dolson]

Rock Force: Welcome to SOTW - and good luck in your sax playing. Find a copy of Larry Teal's book, The Art of Saxophone Playing (as I recall the title). It should give you the basics.

It has been my experience that many trombonists don't think in terms of transposing instruments, while most saxophone/clarinet players understand that concept. It is important for you to know it, too.

What saxophone model (not brand) are you considering? Saxophones come in three basic pitches (Bb, Eb, and C, although C saxophones are vintage, thus more rare than Bb and Eb saxophones) and several different sizes (sopranino through contrabass). A Bb tenor saxophone is most likely close to the trombone range.

I don't know what a Vito 7131R is (alto, tenor, baritone?). And why that particular model? I would think there are better choices - the better the saxophone, the easier it is to play. The Selmer C* mouthpiece is a good start, but mouthpieces are VERY personal.

Answer the questions and maybe some of us can make even better suggestions. DAVE

[Rock Force]

The Vito is an Eb Alto sax. It's supposed to be well built and one of the altos in my band has it. He said that it is very well built & it has a nice sound. Also, I will be buying it from a local store here in texas at about $50 per month. I'm buying this with my money, not my parents', and I don't want to be paying it off forever. That's one of the other reasons I was interested in this one. He said he used Vandoren reeds but I'm not sure if I should start out with those.

Thanks

[Dave Dolson]

Rock Force: I suppose a Vito alto saxophone will work, as long as it is properly prepared by the selling dealer (tight, no leaks). What is the price? While it may be best to buy it locally, you may want to consider buying from reputable sources elsewhere (Dave Kessler in Las Vegas supports this forum and has some great products at good prices - many of us have purchased horns form him; WW&BW in Indiana, USAHorn in New Jersey, are just some of the better sources for such purchases). Keep in mind that almost always, band instruments of every level are discounted below MSRP.

As far as reeds - reeds are reeds. More important than any brand name is the strength (which should be matched to the tip-opning and other factors of the mouthpiece you intend to use). Yes, those of us who have been playing for years tend toward particular reed brands (I like Vandorens . . . Java #2 on alto and soprano), but as long as you select ones that play well with your piece, most brands will suffice until you become proficient enough to be more discerning about which brand is best for you. DAVE

[Rock Force]

Dave,

The real price is about 1500 but almost everywhere I've looked has it for about 900, including my local store. It will be brand new so I'm hoping that it wouldn't have any problems.

Thanks

[Dave Dolson]

Rock Force: Okay . . . at that price, I think you may be able to do better. Kessler sells a Taiwanese-made alto that is a real player (I've played one at his store) called the Solist. He may have some other models that are competitive, too. Maybe a Vito will play well - I don't know. But at that price, I suspect it also may be Taiwanese. Maybe others here can corroborate or correct.

And believe me, a brand new saxophone needs some shop-checking before delivery. Even some of the high-end models usually need to be prepped by the selling dealer. Brand new isn't all that hot in the saxophone world. DAVE

[mwhaa]

its definately possible, because......I did it! Im a trombone player myself (5 years) and now i play tenor and alto sax regularly, and im even better than some of the kids at my school that have been playing jsut as long as i have been playing trombone and i only picked up the sax in january. Just make sure you practice alot, and do not bite use your lip strength(youre going to have to build that too even though you already play brass so many new muscle are being used) well good luck

[HC]

Dave, just to add a sidenote, the Vito 7131R is a Yamaha YAS-23 stencil, but without an adjustable thumb rest and a different color lacquer.

[Dave Dolson]

HC: Thanks for the info. I bought my son (now an adult of 39 years) a new Vito tenor when he was in high school. He still has it and still plays it.

At that time, though I was playing semi-professionally (meaning, I accepted money for playing casuals and jazz festivals), my knowledge of saxophones was not so broad. I still don't know who made his Vito, and I suspect the "Vito" name is not consistent as to sources, even today.

Being a stencil of a Yamaha student horn may or may not be a bragging-point, depending upon one's perspective. Like I said before, it should serve a beginner well enough. DAVE

[Rock Force]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check back in later once I get my sax.

[Jerry K.]

RockForce, do consider Dave's Kessler Music recommendation. The Soloist has been highly recommended here and I bought one for my nephew and it is a great horn for the money. In my opinion the Soloist is superior to the Vito and about half the price you quoted. Check it our at kesslermusic.com.

Good luck.

[Rock Force]

I have looked into the Solist, however, I still have two questions/concerns.


Would the Solist progress with me as I get better, or is it strictly a student instument?
Does anyone know if Kessler Music would let me pay monthly like my local music store or is it just a straight-up, monthly payment?

Thanks

[Dave Dolson]

Rock Force: I have no doubt that the Solist could serve you well for years. But many players, once they learn an instrument, start looking for something more sophisticated and with more pizazz. Neither the Solist or the Vito will meet those demands, I fear. If you want something that will meet your increasing challenges, then you will most likely be spending more money for a pro-level instrument.

The question with the Solist and the Vito is, for the money, is there anything better? There may be, but of the low-end horns, I know the Solist is a good one . . . there may be others. But the Solist is not a Yanagisawa, Rampone, or Selmer.

Equate this to cars - will a ten-year old Honda Civic serve your driving needs? Of course. Will a BMW 540i be more fun to drive and satisfy your increasing car-desires for years to come? You bet - but you pay for it. Same with saxophones - the better the horn, the better the longevity and playing pleasure - and the more money.

As far as purchasing a Solist from Kessler, you must take that up with him. DAVE