I have no idea how to answer that question. Maybe you do.
A fan of early and mid-century jazz, I picked up the (tenor) sax a little over a year ago, in March '06. Found a teacher who was only so-so, but I didn't have a lot of options (I live abroad); after 3 months of lessons with him, I could hit notes without too much honking or squeaking, play a few major scales, and play some simple songs in simple keys (Moon River, Bye Bye Blackbird, Embraceable You). Then sax and I had to part for a couple of months (June-Aug) during an international move.
New country, new teacher (still not a lot of options). Now I'm playing blues riffs, scale exercises, and a few more songs. I like my new teacher, but I have no idea where I'm going. Every week he gives me something new to try, we talk a little theory, then I go home and practice scales, riffs, songs (practicing an hour a day, 3-5 days a week). It's all fun (which is the point), but I have no idea how to gauge whether I'm getting anywhere. My fingering is still clumsy, my embouchure still carries too many hints of the kazoo. My teacher counsels patience and the healing power of time.
Okay, long story short: it's been a year of part-time play. Where should I be? Where were you? Where should I be headed?
A fan of early and mid-century jazz, I picked up the (tenor) sax a little over a year ago, in March '06. Found a teacher who was only so-so, but I didn't have a lot of options (I live abroad); after 3 months of lessons with him, I could hit notes without too much honking or squeaking, play a few major scales, and play some simple songs in simple keys (Moon River, Bye Bye Blackbird, Embraceable You). Then sax and I had to part for a couple of months (June-Aug) during an international move.
New country, new teacher (still not a lot of options). Now I'm playing blues riffs, scale exercises, and a few more songs. I like my new teacher, but I have no idea where I'm going. Every week he gives me something new to try, we talk a little theory, then I go home and practice scales, riffs, songs (practicing an hour a day, 3-5 days a week). It's all fun (which is the point), but I have no idea how to gauge whether I'm getting anywhere. My fingering is still clumsy, my embouchure still carries too many hints of the kazoo. My teacher counsels patience and the healing power of time.
Okay, long story short: it's been a year of part-time play. Where should I be? Where were you? Where should I be headed?