Update

[blueangel]

Hey all ----
I started playing sax a couple weeks ago. I love it!!!!! I already know all the notes to play the C and F major scales, and taught myself Gb and Eb so I can play the Cm blues scale! I have a little theory knowlege and the direction I want to end up it is jazz / improv . Right now I do about 20 / 30 minutes in the lesson book, then do a scale up and down so til I can do it at a different speed. And even when my lips are too tired to play anymore (still building those muscles) I'll do the finger movements for a bit longer.

Couple questions -
Right now I am standing when I practice .... is this OK? The saxaphonist in our HS jazz combo would stand, but then they all sat in concert band

What would be some good scales to learn next? What comes up a lot in popular jazz songs. I know a lot of blues go from C to F and back to C, so I want to get those down....any others that stand out as popular?

I lift my fingers way off the keys when not depressed (high C for example) --- my fingers seem to find their way back in place but this probably isn't a good habit right?

-----
I won't have my first lesson until May 6th -- but I hope I can clear up some of this stuff in the mean time.

Thanks
Kita

[Dave Dolson]

Kita: Looks like you're on your way. However, there isn't enough space on this site to answer all your questions properly.

Stand - sit, it doesn't matter. I stand when I practice, but some bands with whom I play like to sit down. Be guided by the ensemble.

The best "blues" tunes have unusual chord changes and the "blues" were written in many keys, so be prepared for anything by practicing all of the scales and arpeggios. I acknowledge that some tunes with the word BLUES in the titles are not true blues, yet are beautiful melodies that go beyond the accepted BLUES format (tunes by W.C. Handy, Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sidney Bechet, etc.). Good luck with the saxophone. DAVE

[Harri Rautiainen]

Hey all ----

I lift my fingers way off the keys when not depressed (high C for example) --- my fingers seem to find their way back in place but this probably isn't a good habit right?
-----
Kita

Kita,
do not lift your fingers too far from the keys. I faster passages you are better off the closer your fingers are to the keys.

-Harri

[LennyH]

As you practice more, your fingers will start to behave. Practice scales, nice and slow, and try to work sloppiness out of your fingering. It'll get better. Check back in a year or so!

[Storamin]

Stand for anything important, say an audition. Your air flow is better when you stand. Learn the Bb blues scale. That one is awesome to improv on. C Dorian scale isn't bad, either.

[blueangel]

Thanks for all the info!