when is it time to put aside your student model ?

[george_mcfly]

...do you go directly from student to pro sax ? after how many years of practice did YOU buy a more expensive piece of equipment?
I've been playing for one and a half years, i own a Jupiter alto and a Keilwerth tenor both student models (i also own a lot of debts). I switched very early to the otto link metal mpc (the original mpc's that come with the saxes are crap i think). I was wondering if any other beginners switched to metal mpc's in their early years of practice.
I might be considering saving up in order to get myself a brand new spanking pro model sax...is it too early yet? i'm just asking for advice and please don't tell me it depends (i know it depends) ... by relating your own experience it could help me see a bit more clear.

thanks.

[Gordon (NZ)]

The spectrum of experience will be enormous, from those who start on pro instruments and never play well, to those who have always played on a good student instrument, and play very well.

[JfW]

...do you go directly from student to pro sax ? after how many years of practice did YOU buy a more expensive piece of equipment?
I've been playing for one and a half years, i own a Jupiter alto and a Keilwerth tenor both student models (i also own a lot of debts). I switched very early to the otto link metal mpc (the original mpc's that come with the saxes are crap i think). I was wondering if any other beginners switched to metal mpc's in their early years of practice.
I might be considering saving up in order to get myself a brand new spanking pro model sax...is it too early yet? i'm just asking for advice and please don't tell me it depends (i know it depends) ... by relating your own experience it could help me see a bit more clear.

thanks.

It depends on your level of playing and your ability to take on debt moreso than a question of whether you are ready. Since you own student instruments, it would be rather unwise to consider "step up" student instruments for your next horn purchase as they tend to not offer you much of a pricebreak from what are considered 'pro' level equipment and are usually considerably inferior instruments.

[Anji]

There's nothing wrong with an intermediate horn in professional repair.

(The horn won't make you a hero.)

Spend the money on lessons and decent reeds for the next 4 years, and save to get a solid player if you advance in your studies.

Depreciation is harsh with musical instruments, particularly student models... you need to play the horn for five years, just to get your money's worth from the purchase.

If you're talking about dumping a horn that Mummy and Daddy bought for you, go sit in the corner - you bad little monkey... while the rest of us milk another scale out of our ricketty vintage brass.

[chayjazz]

George..If you're planing on playing for several years (proffesional or amateur) go ahead and invest in a pro level horn. Most pro horns are just put together better and for me they seem to stay in good playing condition longer than student model horns. Cost is a factor, especially these days, but I feel you should go to a pro horn as soon as possible. I wish I could have played a great horn in High School, it would have made a lot of things easier, such as intonation, finger position (technique), developing a good sound (how the horn itself resonates). But again, I knew in HS that I wanted to be a proffesional musician, that's a lot of money to spend if it's just a passing hobby. So if you're serious about playing, save your money and get the best horn you can. It's one of the most important decisions you'll make in your "musical" life.

[george_mcfly]

yes chayjazz i feel what you're saying 100 %

[Vortex]

If you're performing and need a good sound, it's time to move up to better equipment. Same thing if your equipment isn't good enough for you either. But my advice: if you're gonna get anything new, buy the best available. You'll probably have it for years to come, and it will serve you well. Besides, let's say you're gonna spend $2,100 on a new sax... if you're spending that much, adding $700 more to get the very best won't really matter that much, will it?

[top_gun25]

i have played 7 years on my student sax! the SAME ONE! More including MB, JAzz, Concerts. It is still in great shape. IF you have debts or are still in school get a GOOD, HIGH QUALITY, STUDENT. IT will Pay off. I have a Vito 7131R it has never let me down cept one time. some idiot steped on it and broke my octive key off before the concert! well long time ago. then i played 2 years bari and 1 year tenor.(not mine, borrowed) 10 years old is that sax! still in good shape!

GOOD INSTRUMENTS will reward GOOD PLAYERS, but GOOD INSTRUMENTS never matter with BAD PLAYERS!

[modre]

...do you fo directly from student to pro sax ?

only if you're serious.
If so, there's no sense fooling around with second rate stuff.

I started playing around 1963-ish on crap
I had a super 20 by 1968.
the better horns have actions that are the difference between sloshing your fingers thru half thawed vegetable soup and computer keyboard key action. part of mastering the horn is training the fingers to work as fast as the brain tells them to...and soup will always be soup.

the other part of pro horns is they respond better. the difference is like whispering thru carpet vs. screaming thru a megaphone.

having the right hardware will allow whatever you have to offer a direct route to be broadcast efficiently...keep in mind that backfires if you suck out loud as well. so advance when you know it the right time...keeping in mind life is too short not to.

[robbieg]

My answer, short and simple. You get a pro horn when it comes to a point where the student horn is holding you back... well that and when you can afford the pro horn.

[Gordon (NZ)]

I agree. For many players, the question is similar to, "When is it the right time to stop doing my grocery shopping in the Corolla, and get a Merc to do it in.

:-)