[johnny b]

Hello all, another late bloomer here. Always loved the sound of tenor saxophone so have decided to learn how to play one. I have just spent an enjoyable hour unpacking. I have never played an instrument and cannot read music. Long journey ahead. Regards Johnny B.
p.s. Mathew Aaron at Saxforte was very helpful.

 

[johnny b]

In the beginning part 2.

Just a couple more pics. Can't wait to get started. I have found a good teacher and I am full of enthusiasm so here goes.

p.s. D.O.B. 1961. and also thanks for all the help here. I have gathered alot of useful info. Also expecting some sarcastic comments. I am sure the Flamingo engraving embellishes the tone.

 

[saxmusicguy]

This is great!! A Flamingo tenor? Enjoy the horn and use it well.

 

[click]

WOW! "never played an instrument and cannot read music" and got a sax at 50. Very brave of you and very exiting. Be sure to keep us apprised of your progress. I played in college in the 70s, and quit until a couple of years ago (DOB in '58). I could barely make a sound when I tried after all of that time. So do not get discouraged if you do not sound good right away. Enjoy the journey. I hope you will have time to practice.

It will be more fun if you play some songs, too, not just scales.

 

[johnny b]

Thanks mate, I sure will. I just loved the sound of the Ref 36. I should thank a couple of members here.
Saxpunter and Crazydaisydoo. Saxpunter for sharing his buying experience a couple of months back and
Crazydaisydoo for his clips on Youtube. Dr G makes alot of sense also. Cheers.

 

[johnny b]

Thanks for the encouragement Click. I have decided I will ' make ' time for practice. I must be a newby

as I am enjoying the practice as well.

 

[Johnflip]

Go for it!!! Started tenor 3 years ago - when I was 56!! Just 'progressing' to Soprano as 'second love'. Gives me a lot of fun, a lot of work and a lot of enjoyment!!
Kindest
John Philip

 

[TonyM]

I started clarinet at 54 (2 and a half years ago). I had my daughter's school clarinet (plastic Vito, bought secondhand for her) overhauled and loved it. Played with a classical teacher. Then I found a Yamaha YCL-62 online (wood, pro model) and had that serviced and a good jazz teacher. I love the tone and practice most days and it's the best thing I've done. But the sight of that brand new saxophone being unpacked, I was overwhelmed. I always had in mind that I would double on tenor and the sight of that new Selmer brought out big desire. New instruments, wow. Have a great time with that saxophone, Johnny B.

 

[rockie]

It encourages me to hear that you are starting to play the sax at 50. I'm 43 and have the exact same background as you do.....none. I'm looking to buy the alto sax from my local music store. Jupiter is the brand. I'm going to rent it for a couple of months to make sure my heart is still in it after all. I have always loved the sound of the sax and have always wanted to learn. Well, as time goes on, I'm tired of saying "I wish", so I'm diving in. Any advice?

 

[johnny b]

Hello and thanks for the replies. I hope the pics wet your appetite if you have not bought a horn yet. All I can say is go for it Rockie, what ever horn you decide on.
Thanks Johnflip and TonyM for the encouragement. I took the risk and bought over the net without trying the horn first. I am using a Selmer 80 C* mouthpiece with
Brancher No 2 reeds at the moment.
I had my first lesson yesterday. My teacher has a MK V1 but forgot to ask what mouthpiece. I asked her if she could give my horn a bit of a workout.
OH BOY, when she hit those low notes, I was in heaven. It had real grunt. She plays in a band called " kamerunga " .
I am going to give myself 10 years and see where I am at. Cheers JB.
p.s. thanks SAXISMYAXE for re-arranging the post.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I had my first lesson yesterday. My teacher has a MK V1 but forgot to ask what mouthpiece. I asked her if she could give my horn a bit of a workout. OH BOY, when she hit those low notes, I was in heaven.

Did she have any comments on the horn?

 

[johnny b]

As it was the first lesson there was alot going on. I will ask here to give the horn another play
and see what she thinks at the next lesson in a couple of days. You are right, as it is brand new
out of the box it may need some minor adjustments. She is also a Saxophone tech, maintaining
all the instruments for the local high school so that is handy. She picked up a sticky pad straight
away. Do you have recommendations or previous knowledge regarding any tweaks I might need
to do ? I realize I am a beginner and I would not benefit from any changes just yet. I have read here
that some people send their Ref 36's away to be worked on. Is it Randy Jones ? Soldering the bell to the
bow etc. Does it make that much difference ?

 

[Johnflip]

I'm going to rent it for a couple of months to make sure my heart is still in it after all. Any advice?

Buy a 'Student Horn' - If you take care of it, and then give up playing again after a year or so, you'll be able to sell it at a price, which will leave you better off than renting a horn. Besides after a year, you'll probably need to sell the horn and 'upgrade' to a better one! Don't waist you money on renting.
Kindest
John Philip

 

[Johnflip]

You are right, as it is brand new out of the box it may need some minor adjustments.

My tech uses the following 'checklist' before he hands over a factory-new horn to a buyer:
- Removing and preventing leaks (5-20 on a factory new sax)
- Optional changing a few pads
- Removal of disturbing tolerances and friction in mechanics
- Changing material for better and more to the point material (Cork, Filt etc.)
- Adjusting neckfitting
- Tuning
- Adjusting mechanics and springs
- Checking for transportdamage, soldering-, construction- and materialerrors contained within the warranty
- Adjusting neck cork
- applying 'bite-pad'
- putting it in tension for approx. a week and then readjusting
--
And one get's a 3-month servicecheck free the first year or two - depending on the model
--
So my point is: Have your tech look it over - just to be sure it is in full working condition
Kindest
Joh
n Philip

 

[RootyTootoot]

Buy a 'Student Horn'

I dunno. I hear that advice a lot here but I tend to think renting is ok at least for a little bit. You're not committed and you don't end up with a hunk of junk that noone wants to buy (well ok you may get $25) taking up cupboard space when you can't be bothered practicing. Well yes, it does depend on what a "student horn" is but for most people new to music it will mean the cheapest new alto sax they can find on the internet..

Congrats on the Flamingo, OP. Enjoy.

IMO do not "send it away" until you have at least learned to play the thing and no it probably wouldn't make that much difference anyway (IMHO).

 

[saxmusicguy]

She is also a Saxophone tech, maintaining all the instruments for the local high school so that is handy. She picked up a sticky pad straight away.

The sticky pad may resolve itself -- I would wait a while before applying a "treatment" to solve the problem. Also, don't feel obligated to use your teacher's tech services. If I owned your horn, I would make sure to use only the very best tech I could find. If she tries to manipulate the horn during your lessons and it makes you uncomfortable, gently say so.

Do you have recommendations or previous knowledge regarding any tweaks I might need to do ? I realize I am a beginner and I would not benefit from any changes just yet.

Not yet. As you play more, you'll learn more about making minor adjustments.

I have read here that some people send their Ref 36's away to be worked on. Is it Randy Jones ? Soldering the bell to the bow etc. Does it make that much difference ?

I have no idea if that soldering makes a difference, but I wouldn't even consider having that done until I had lived with the horn a few years. Get to know it before violating it.

 

[johnny b]

Excellent, thanks , I am just going to relax and practice regularly and enjoy the horn and the music.

 

[saxmusicguy]

Excellent, thanks , I am just going to relax and practice regularly and enjoy the horn and the music.

Keep us updated on how you're coming along! If and when you get frustrated, take a break, read a bit on SOTW for fun, and give it another try.

 

[getafix]

johnny b,
Welcome to SOTW. I am 55 and started on the tenor less than 2 years ago. This is a wonderful forum and extremely useful for old fogey-beginners like me.

 

[kcp]

Have fun playing with the bubble wrap AND learning your new sax :bluewink: