pingflood
12-14-2003, 01:47 AM
Well, I've been playing for 7 months now. Started on a rented alto (Yamaha, can't remember the model), but once the introduction period was over I opted to return it to the store rather than pay $45/month, since a good friend was letting me borrow his old tenor (Selmer Bundy). This was a sax he'd played back in the 70s, and not really used much since, as he ended up with a Mark VI. Paid $50 at a local shop to have it 'tuned up' and it sounds pretty good to me.
This being said, I've always loved listening to soprano sax. I thought about renting one for a month or so to see if it was something I'd like, but unfortunately the local music stores don't rent them out.
I plan to keep this tenor (my friend has offered to sell it to me for cheap) for a while, but I have to admit I keep ogling all the sopranos on ebay lately... any suggestions on where I could possibly rent one (Atlanta area), or should I just save up the money, pull the plug, and hope that it's all I ever wished for? :-) And if so, how much can I expect to spend for one that'll keep me happy for a few years?
UPDATE:
Did some research and ended up buying Morry's Musica soprano (he brought it over here today). I think I got a rather good deal, and as I mentioned earlier, soprano is what I've always loved listening to. Didn't expect to be able to do much on it (I had read some other beginner's stuff where they barely got sound out of it after switching from alto/tenor).. found some Vandoren 2.5s locally (was gonna try 2s since I play 2.5-3 on tenor, but they were out), and much to my surprise, I had no problems playing the whole range from low Bb to high F! Sat down with my tenor music sheets and had no problem at all playing everything on the Musica. LOVE the sound, too! Bright and very even; the D2 doesn't sound muffled at all on this horn compared to my tenor.
However, as wife pointed out, my dynamic range is from loud to really loud on the soprano right now. :D I suppose that just like with tenor I'll learn to play more softly as I get more used to it?
This being said, I've always loved listening to soprano sax. I thought about renting one for a month or so to see if it was something I'd like, but unfortunately the local music stores don't rent them out.
I plan to keep this tenor (my friend has offered to sell it to me for cheap) for a while, but I have to admit I keep ogling all the sopranos on ebay lately... any suggestions on where I could possibly rent one (Atlanta area), or should I just save up the money, pull the plug, and hope that it's all I ever wished for? :-) And if so, how much can I expect to spend for one that'll keep me happy for a few years?
UPDATE:
Did some research and ended up buying Morry's Musica soprano (he brought it over here today). I think I got a rather good deal, and as I mentioned earlier, soprano is what I've always loved listening to. Didn't expect to be able to do much on it (I had read some other beginner's stuff where they barely got sound out of it after switching from alto/tenor).. found some Vandoren 2.5s locally (was gonna try 2s since I play 2.5-3 on tenor, but they were out), and much to my surprise, I had no problems playing the whole range from low Bb to high F! Sat down with my tenor music sheets and had no problem at all playing everything on the Musica. LOVE the sound, too! Bright and very even; the D2 doesn't sound muffled at all on this horn compared to my tenor.
However, as wife pointed out, my dynamic range is from loud to really loud on the soprano right now. :D I suppose that just like with tenor I'll learn to play more softly as I get more used to it?