[saxalex]

I have been playing the Alto sax for 3 1/2 years now, and am about to get a vintage sax to play, cause I'm gonna be playing alto for a really long time... I also have $1500 in Kenelly Keys though, so i was wondering if you guys thought i should get another sax, Tenor or Bari, or get a Drum Set?

The reason I'm posting this here is because I don't know whether the Tenor or Bari would be a better sax to play for me. I'm thinking Tenor because they are cheaper and I've heard they help your Alto playing skills... I haven't ever played a bari though. Could someone please tell me what they think?

Restating my options...

A) Spend $1500 on a really nice drum set.

B) Spend $1500 on a Tenor Sax

C) Spend $1500 on a Bari Sax

D) Spend $1500 on a keyboard and learn to play piano...

Thanks

 

[Ferret]

Depends what your goals are.... if it were me I'd probably get either a Soprano or a Tenor (I play Alto as my main), likely the Tenor. Many of my favorite musicians were Tenorists, so it would be nice to be able to play the instrument they did if I wanted to.

 

[saxalex]

Thanks.. I think I'll ask my sax teacher, cause he used to play the drums, and he plays the piano and the different saxes so i think he might have a good idea on what i should do. I'd still like some responses to keep coming though.

 

[littlemanbighorn]

Once i had my own baritone all the other saxes sat in the closet (I eventually sold my Tenor for a Bass Clarinet. Low horns are where it's at.)

 

[grevsax24]

I would save the 1500 bucks, it's always good to have some reserves in case something big comes up.

 

[Canadiain]

I would have though a tenor was the obvious thing to do with it, but you are the one playing, so its only really your opinion that counts.

Did you have a pre existing interest in drums / keyboards, or is it just a case of spending money on something?

 

[saxalex]

Noo I play the drums a lot... Whenever there's a drum set I HAVE to go over and play it, and ever since I started playing my reading skills have gotten better in playing my saxophone.

If I got a piano and learned how to play that I thought that my rhythm and reading would get better, plus I would learn scales, and I have been composing small songs, so I thought getting a piano would help with that. By the way I can't just let the money sit it has to be spent within the next 6 months or so...

But buying another sax would just be a matter of which one is more fun to play.

I could get some killer 8 piece drum sets for $1500... some ok keyboards, and I think I could get a decent sax with that.

 

[Canadiain]

So if you walk into a room and there is a drum kit, a piano, a tenor sax and a bari, (not that you can get a Bari for $1500 I think) which one grabs your attention first?

$1500 in a main line music store probably wont get you into a pro or even an intermediate level tenor either come to think of it, unless they have some good consignment stuff and will let you spend your captive dollars on it.

 

[jacobeid]

Noo I play the drums a lot... Whenever there's a drum set I HAVE to go over and play it, and ever since I started playing my reading skills have gotten better in playing my saxophone.

That's quite true. I played drums from age 5-15. One of my strong points is reading. Rhythms are now a no brainer to me, which is VERY helpful.

 

[lhoffman]

(not that you can get a Bari for $1500 I think)

Not so fast there I got a Geo. Bundy, which was a Conn Chu stencil, on ebay for $1300. I had the local tech go over it for about $100. He said he couldn't put it down when he was done with it, he liked it so much. I've been gigging and recording with it since I've owned it. You just have to know what to look for in a bargain, and keep your eyes open. They do come around once in a while.

 

[Jonathan C.]

You can get plenty of horns on E-bay for a few hundred and they need abit of work. But you may still get a good Bari. Or you could put out a Want ad out.

 

[littlemanbighorn]

You can get plenty of horns on E-bay for a few hundred and they need abit of work. But you may still get a good Bari. Or you could put out a Want ad out.

I think he's saying he has credit available at a store which won't be transferable to ebay.

 

[Jonathan C.]

Sorry. That is alot of mouthpieces . Do you like the way a Tenor sounds? If so then get a Tenor, Bari etc.

 

[Dr G]

Keyboard.

Oh, and sell that alto and replace it with a tenor.

 

[Dr_sax]

.. and get 2 "AMMA"´s

 

[saxalex]

Yeah, I can only use the money at Kennelly Keys... Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I sort of like the sound of Altos, Tenors, and Baris equally, so I don't know which one is best for me. I know that in my school band the Tenors don't get the Melody as much, and the Baris don't either, so Alto would be more fun in the school band, but Tenors sing to me in jazz...

I love jazz tenors. I would really have to play an Alto next to a Tenor to decide whether I want to switch over or not, and if I do I would have to go try out the saxes again... before I spend money.

I also really love the sound of Bari saxes in jazz, just not as much as tenors... I don't know... I listened to a lot of different solos just now and im not sure what sound I like the most... I really like them all... I wish I had $100,000 to spend on saxes lol...

 

[Canadiain]

I wish I had $100,000 to spend on saxes lol...

But not drums or keyboards... So thats that then, You (probably) cant get a bari worth having from a store for $1500, so its a Tenor by the sound of it.


No one said you have to just play Alto or Tenor, lots of people play both in different arenas. Most of the classical repertoire is for alto, but that doesnt mean those players dont kick *** on tenor playing Jazz or Funk or Rock.

 

[bfoster64]

I started on alto, then my band director switched me to tenor. I played that through high school. In college I played alto exclusively. A few years ago I picked up tenor again. Now I play alto AND tenor. I also have a bari and soprano, but those don't get nearly as much playing time.

I highly recommend doubling on tenor if you are an alto player who likes that instrument. They are both very versatile and it is easy to switch between them after a bit of practice. Unless you see some specific opportunities to play bari I would encourage you to go with the sound you like and add tenor to your alto playing. You won't be sorry.

 

[sonnymobleytrane]

Hey I am getting married in Oct just send it to me:evil:

 

[bluesaxgirl]

My opinion is to get a slightly used Yanagisawa A901.