[Dan1004]

I'm posting in this section for two reason:
One, I only play soprano.
Two, this is where I post and where I have gotten to know various players 'virtually'.
That said, any ideas on how to keep up/increase motivation for playing sax? I wish I could claim, like many posting here, that I played fulltime and that is how my income is. But my regular job has nothing to do with music, so my sax playing is purely part time, hobbyish and for fun. I do like playing challenging music, and I am currently trying to convince (rather successfully I may add) a bass player and a guitar player to 'jam' with me.
But I am always annoyed with myself.... if I played more I would be at a higher level. Where I was almost successfully playing Fantasia a few years back, I am now LOWER level than that.
Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[FighterForJC]

back when I was a kid, Kenny G was my inspiration. He's a good starting point especially if you're doing it as a hobby.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Dan: You need to play for real . . . with others, and in public, if at all possible. When it all comes together - you'll understand.

Next, do you only read music? If so, teach yourself to play by ear - it will open up so much more for you - there are SO many tunes. And, most casual public gigs will require you to go beyond the written page.

I've been at it for 51 years now - and I still look forward to the next gig. It isn't the money! DAVE

 

[RootyTootoot]

Dan: You need to play for real . . . with others, and in public, if at all possible. When it all comes together - you'll understand.

Totally right. And i'm saying that as a "teacher of music" who has only just started to perform in public again after a very long break. This is totally where it;s at. And it really doesn;t matter how "good" you are. There will always be someone better. Find a way to share your music with other people. IMHO.

 

[Dan1004]

Totally right. And i'm saying that as a "teacher of music" who has only just started to perform in public again after a very long break. This is totally where it;s at. And it really doesn;t matter how "good" you are. There will always be someone better. Find a way to share your music with other people. IMHO.

I wonder if now is the appropriate time to ask- what does everyone do for a living here?
I'll start- I work in immigration. Now I'm trying hard to see the connection to music, and it seems that........ not sure.......
But on another note, thanks so much for the feedback! Good points, all... and uh.... is there money in music, Kenny G aside....??:?

 

[RootyTootoot]

I wonder if now is the appropriate time to ask- what does everyone do for a living here?
I'll start- I work in immigration.

There are actually a couple of pretty long threads already on that question and they do make interesting reading.

 

[CherylH]

Dan: Next, do you only read music? If so, teach yourself to play by ear - it will open up so much more for you - there are SO many tunes. And, most casual public gigs will require you to go beyond the written page.
DAVE

How do you do this??? My husband does this without thought and can't tell me where to begin. I asked my teacher, and he wasn't so helpful either. I can hum a melody and I can tell when I'm wrong on the sax. But I don't know what to do to get it right.

On the playing with people, it really does help. We have an old geezers trio for our private consumption. Only the drummer's wife has to suffer!

 

[Paul B]

Playing with others or in public is great (and important), but I'm not sure that should be one's primary inspiration, or even a major reason to continue. Just playing the horn should be enough in and of itself. But as Monk said, you've gotta keep your appetite up, and sometimes that's a challenge. You need to be inspired by someone that makes you really psyched to play, and then dig into material that keeps you interested. When that material has your mind wandering, find something else. It's hard to do day in and day out, but once you gather momentum, it gets easier. And as a friend recently said, sometimes you have to figure out how to fall in love with the horn again. Good luck to you.

 

[hakukani]

I'm posting in this section for two reason:
One, I only play soprano.
Two, this is where I post and where I have gotten to know various players 'virtually'.
That said, any ideas on how to keep up/increase motivation for playing sax? I wish I could claim, like many posting here, that I played fulltime and that is how my income is. But my regular job has nothing to do with music, so my sax playing is purely part time, hobbyish and for fun. I do like playing challenging music, and I am currently trying to convince (rather successfully I may add) a bass player and a guitar player to 'jam' with me.
But I am always annoyed with myself.... if I played more I would be at a higher level. Where I was almost successfully playing Fantasia a few years back, I am now LOWER level than that.
Any ideas are appreciated.

If you're talking about the Villa Lobos Fantasia, it sounds like you have a decent technique, and obviously can read music. Did you want to play jazz?

I am a hobbyist, too, and it is fun to practice and play with people. It can be done while at the same time juggling a full time job. Okay...maybe you can't practice 4+ hours a day, but a strong, organized 1 hour every day can keep your chops up, and you can slowly improve.

Have fun!

 

[stevesklar]

as you practice more and improve, you'll want to practice even more .. then you'll find more time during the day to practice .. it's an evil spiral, one which is enjoyable.

playing in public is great too .. a great inspiration to keep improving yourself and fun too.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Cheryl: I will send you a PM about ear-playing. DAVE

 

[playitfunky]

I like to be in a band when I want to play. When you have gigs, even just maybe 1 a month or so, it gives you some tangible date at which you either will stink or rock the house. For me it's the fear of being really bad that forces me to practice. It's the satisfaction of playing better then I did the gig before that rewards me.

 

[betelsax]

There are tons of midi files out there, some of them very good. Start playing along with them. It's the best thing for ear training. You can adjust the key and the tempo to your liking and just play out. Then go and make music (with confidence) with real people.

 

[qwerty]

You need to play for real . . . with others, and in public, if at all possible. When it all comes together - you'll understand.

This is about the most accurate, concise statement I have ever read on SOTW.

 

[NitroJoe]

I play because I just LOVE the sound!

Plus, it gives me a feeling of satisfaction no day job ever could.

 

[adoeak]

I play it because when I play I forget all of my problems and get lost in the joy of making music.

 

[E_di_e]

I play because I can't stop playing.

I guess is good to mentioning that you'll not always have motivation to play, I remember a speech from Winton Marsalis that says something like this: When you are practicing you'll be trying to learn something that is not very easy for you... (that's the point to practicing: to develop a skill). To work over something that is difficult for us is not comfortable for humans.

So, is a challenge to have a good routine of practicing!

All the advises other gave you are very good for me too.

- Try to play by ear
- Try to have fun with the exercises
- Try to develop a personal sound you enjoy
- Try to force you a little bit when you don't want to practicing
- Record your practicing so you can hear the bad and good points of your playing
- Have a goal
- PLAY

 

[FighterForJC]

Again, I tell you, start with KENNY G! You can't go wrong. And try to play out of the side of your mouth like he does.

 

[crazydaisydoo]

I can't play out due to family and work commitments (2 small children), but I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of posting stuff on youtube. Recording a tune gives me a similar buzz to playing out, especially as I have to do the whole tune in one take, as it is hard to "drop in" on video

I have had over 100,000 viewings, and 150 subscribers. I have also collaborated with other musicians all over the world.

You need a bit of kit, but it is now very affordable

It is the nearest thing I can get to playing out, and it keeps me very motivated to do better.

You can also get some motivation by doing the "tune of the month" here of the post a clip thread

Keep it up!

 

[Dan1004]

I listened, I watched. I liked. Nice technique (for what it's worth) and nice tone.
Interesting idea you have.... and I also have the two kids (yelling in the background as we speak).... so I like your idea.