Dopey
12-30-2005, 10:29 PM
Just found this site and thought I'd introduce myself.
I'm 42, been playing the sax (my first and only experience of any kind with music) for a few months. I'm an elementary teacher, and the band teacher in my school has loaned me an extra student instrument. It's a Conn 20M (I think) and the much-worn mouthpiece has Leo (perhaps Geo?) M. Bundy printed on it. I'm playing wit 2 1/2 reeds.
The band teacher is teaching me when I feel inclined to bring the sax in for a lesson, but mostly I'm doing things on my own. I have the Essential Elements book which I'm almost through. I recently bought a Hal Leonard Jazz play-along book/CD, but unfortunatly the contents is still quite beyond me. I do enjoy listening to it though :D
I think my next purchase needs to be a metronome. I'm getting pretty good at reading the music out loud (you know... "One and two and three..." etc. ) But have a hard time keeping that time when playing it. Especially those annoying little dotted notes. In other words, I understand what the music SAYS to do, just can't do it.
Also, how do folks here feel about learning with play-along books. I've been told they make one lazy, since you end up not really reading the music, but memorizing the tune. But it sure is gratifying to play along with backup and make something that sounds nice. I've been trying to give myself a good mix of scales, drills, etc. and some just-for-fun playing each time I practice.
Not really any questions at the moment. (Although I am confused at this whole mouthpiece thing. They all looked the same to me at the music store!) Just wanted to make my presence known and say "Hi."
I'm 42, been playing the sax (my first and only experience of any kind with music) for a few months. I'm an elementary teacher, and the band teacher in my school has loaned me an extra student instrument. It's a Conn 20M (I think) and the much-worn mouthpiece has Leo (perhaps Geo?) M. Bundy printed on it. I'm playing wit 2 1/2 reeds.
The band teacher is teaching me when I feel inclined to bring the sax in for a lesson, but mostly I'm doing things on my own. I have the Essential Elements book which I'm almost through. I recently bought a Hal Leonard Jazz play-along book/CD, but unfortunatly the contents is still quite beyond me. I do enjoy listening to it though :D
I think my next purchase needs to be a metronome. I'm getting pretty good at reading the music out loud (you know... "One and two and three..." etc. ) But have a hard time keeping that time when playing it. Especially those annoying little dotted notes. In other words, I understand what the music SAYS to do, just can't do it.
Also, how do folks here feel about learning with play-along books. I've been told they make one lazy, since you end up not really reading the music, but memorizing the tune. But it sure is gratifying to play along with backup and make something that sounds nice. I've been trying to give myself a good mix of scales, drills, etc. and some just-for-fun playing each time I practice.
Not really any questions at the moment. (Although I am confused at this whole mouthpiece thing. They all looked the same to me at the music store!) Just wanted to make my presence known and say "Hi."