[cakecakecake]

So, I've been studying flute seriously for a long time, but I'm REALLY interested in learning sax and being able to branch out and get involved in music from different genres.

I know lots of people start on saxophone and learn flute on the side and can get tons of gigs that way, but is it possible for the opposite to happen? Or will I always be too far behind in saxophone to be able to get gigs, etc? I always got the impression that people in pits have to be amazing at sax and also be able to play flute as more of a peripheral thing.

If it makes any difference, I'm 19 now and have a lot of time on my hands!:space0::space2:

 

[adamk]

I started flute at 17 and sax at 21. I still think of myself as a flute player who also plays sax. I have : sop, alto, C mel, tenor and bari sax. I also have an alto flute.
Play the sax. When practicing always start and end with the flute ( sax in the middle) if you want to keep your flute chops fine tuned.

 

[dshook]

You can do it, no question. The sooner you start, the better! (start now :bluewink

 

[saxmusicguy]

If you take the sax seriously, you can probably become pretty good in a few years. There are plenty of kids who start playing an instrument in 5th grade and are quite advanced by the time they start high school. You're already a musician, so you have a huge advantage over those students. Practice every day.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I always got the impression that people in pits have to be amazing at sax and also be able to play flute as more of a peripheral thing.

Judging by my 'pit clients' I'd say it was the other way round - generally because the flute (and clarinet) parts are often more demanding.

In answer to your question - very likely, providing you put the time into it.

Regards,

 

[renegade]

While a big majority of the sax players can play the flute, I am one of those who can't blow a note on a flute. I find the technique to be radically different.

 

[Pete Thomas]

If it makes any difference, I'm 19 now and have a lot of time on my hands!:space0::space2:

Well you can do it then. I didn't take up saxophone until I was 18, flute at 20, playing professionally (doubling all saxes, flute & piccolo) in theatres and clubs at 24.

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Go for it. I reckon adding sax to flute is a lot easier for most people than flute to sax.

 

[Steve Stockham]

I'd agree with that sentiment. You'll pick up the sax faster than I did the flute! The fingerings are very similar. As an acomplished musician, you have a leg up on a beginning student. With diligent practice you will become proficient on the sax rather sooner than you might expect! Of course, the caveat is always that word: diligent! I started my son in 4th grade band and started giving him lessons during the summer between 4th and 5th grade working four lessons per week (45 min. to 60 min. sessions) and he is playing at mid-7th grade level right now. Your progress should be faster by a whole degree of magnitude! One question: Do you have anybody who can give you lessons? If so, you should be able speed up your progress considerably! Go for it and good luck!

 

[Call Me Rockstar]

I find this whole conversation inspiring! I have been meaning to pick up flute for a couple years now, but since my gigs haven't called for it, I just never got around to it! So I procrastinate But I think I will... next week.

 

[daigle65]

I started on flute when I was 16, picked up the saxophone when I was 17.
My BA is in classical flute.

Most of the doublers I know that have a good flute tone also started on flute so you're likely to have an advantage over others.

IMHO, it's easier going from flute to sax than clarinet to sax. Both overblow at the octave and you're less likely to confuse the embouchures since they are so radically different.

 

[rleitch]

Go for it!!

Here's some inspiration...I just can't get enough of these vids!

 

[dogster]

I payed clarinet then flute and now saxophone and for only 11 months and I am performing with the sax at clubs along with flute suit can be done. By the way I am in my 50's
too !

 

[Grimmell73]

I did exactly this when I started my performing career, moving from flute to sax. There's nothing difficult about saxophone if you've played the flute. The alternate fingerings available on saxophone make things noticeably easier than on the flute, and the embouchure is easier to create and sustain -- especially on outdoor gigs, where almost any puff of air disrupts the air stream on a flute, but the saxophonist has the reed actually jammed into the mouth, safe from the elements. My advice is to be sure you start with professional-grade equipment, especially a mouthpiece. There are enough reasonably-priced Taiwanese saxes good for gigging (e.g., Barone, TK Melody), and you can often find used Yanagisawa or even later Selmers at a similar price-point. When I started on sax, I started with a Selmer C* mouthpiece and my embouchure was good enough within about 20 minutes. As you get the hang of it you have plenty of time to experiment with more open tips. (Of course, if you start with one, that might be OK too; I like starting with a narrow tip because it's easier to hold a steady note while you're figuring out the horn.) Good luck!