[OldAssDude]

Hi all,

My name is Bob and I live near Philadelphia Pa. When I was young my Father had an old sax and a bunch of old jazz records. One day I picked the thing up and started trying to teach myself by attempting to play along with some of the records. Never learned the right way but eventually I could play some of the easy parts of some songs. I played on and off (mostly off) until I went in the army in 1983, and never picked it back up again after that.

I'm 62 now and lately I've been remembering how fun that was and decided to pick it up again and maybe learn the right way this time around. I picked up a new Yamaha YTS-26 at Sam Ash Music in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago and have been dedicating at least an hour a day to practicing. I am working on my embouchure, long notes, scales, and breathing, but am also spending some of the time trying to jam along with songs that I find on YouTube. I already have some of the parts to Smooth Operator by Sade figured out. Not with a good tone yet, but I got the notes down. The solo in the middle is going to be a challenge for me though, but I think if I dissect it note for note and play each note slow at first I should be able to get it eventually.

I'm glad I found this forum because I will probably have a lot of questions along the way.

Bob

 

[Reet McVouty]

Hi Bob,
Welcome to SOTW! You will find a great deal of information here, but just remember most people will offer up ideas and equipment that works for themselves and not necessarily for you. So, always do your research before implementing any ideas that will cost you money. So, here's some ideas that I have for you, and yeah, they will cost a few bucks.

Find a good teacher, one that plays the sax. You must be willing to start at the beginning.

Mouthpieces. You need to find one that's designed to produce the sound you're after. Go to the resources section on this site and study up on what type mouthpieces produce what type of sound. https://theowanne.com/ There are also countless videos on the web of people demoing mouthpieces.

Keep playing with records. Try to match the sound of the guy your listening to. Play along with ballads, they're slower and have built in long tone practice.

Have fun!

 

[zelda]

Welcome aboard, Bob. I'm 70 and still enjoy playing. Can't go wrong with a Yamaha either.
Jim

 

[Tranechaser]

I'm 62 now

Username checks out

Welcome to SOTW, you will find a ton of good stuff here.

 

[bcalvanese]

I am the OP but had to create a new account because I assume my user name created a conflict in posting.

Thank you all for your comments and advice.

Here is the intro to Smooth Operator by Sade...

https://soundcloud.com/user-491240033%2Fsmooth-operator-intro
I think I got the notes right so far, but please let me know if it don't sound right. I know I still have to work on my tone A LOT... lol

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[sandster]

Well, sounds pretty smooth to me. Your sounding good.

 

[nvilletele]

Hey Bob, welcome. I am also 62, having only started up several years ago.

You’re in the right place.

 

[nvilletele]

.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I am the OP but had to create a new account because I assume my user name created a conflict in posting.

Thank you all for your comments and advice.

Here is the intro to Smooth Operator by Sade...

https://soundcloud.com/user-491240033%2Fsmooth-operator-intro
I think I got the notes right so far, but please let me know if it don't sound right. I know I still have to work on my tone A LOT... lol

Thanks again,
Bob

Actually Bob, I think your tone is quite good, especially for someone just getting back into playing. If anything, it may be time for some mouthpiece experimentation ....

 

[bcalvanese]

Actually Bob, I think your tone is quite good, especially for someone just getting back into playing. If anything, it may be time for some mouthpiece experimentation ....

I actaully am do some experimentation. My sax came with the Yamaha C4 mouthpiece. I also purchased a Yamaha C5 and a Otto Link Tone Edge hard rubber mouthpiece 6*. Also got a bunch of different reeds 2's, 2.5's, and 3's. I think this should be enough to experiment at my level for a while. I am already able to hit the high and low notes easier and with better tone.

My main concern when I first got the sax was my lung capacity because I was a heavy smoker for over 40 years. 5 years ago I started doing a lot of cardio just about daily, and about 3 years ago I quit smoking using electronic cigarettes (which I still use). I guess all that cardio paid off because I can hold long notes for quite a while.

I am finding songs on YouTube to play along with that have a lot of long slow notes in them, so I can work on my long notes without being bored...lol

I am also spending time on scales and patterns.

I also play a little guitar and write my own songs, so I have gotten to know a lot musicians at open mic nights over the years, many of which are in bands. Once I get good enough I'm sure a bunch of them would love me to jump up and throw in some sax parts on their gigs and stuff.

Thanks for your advice.

This is fun.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Having fun is what it's all about. One thing that really helps develop a good tone is to play along with someone who's sound you really like and try to match their sound. You will end up adjusting your embouchure to get the tone you desire. As far as long tones go, I don't practice them anymore. I like to play slow ballads that have a lot of whole notes in them. Always use a backing track to keep the right rhythm and play in tune.

 

[DarrellMass]

Welcome to the Forum, Bob. I just started playing, a little over four years ago, after spending much of my life as a hobbyist singer and guitar player.
Wish I'd had the opportunity to play tenor, a lot sooner than now, but better late than never! Enjoy every minute.......they all matter.

 

[PigSquealer]

Bob with two names. Welcome Two-Bob to SOTW. Lol reading the rules is not a requirement of membership. It's just polite
Don't believe everything you read on this site. It's all true and will make you crazy. Especially at such a old age of 62.
Can't find something? Learn to search here. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?365784-Searching-
Just one Yamaha ? You're in trouble pal. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?9-(Saxophone)-Makes-and-Models
Hungry ? https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?319498-What’s-Cook’n
Boredom.... https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?514-Word-games

Any chance you play a Swinette ?

 

[jski2011]

Welcome Bob, I started playing late in life been at it several years now, as Darrell said better late the never enjoy the journey,

 

[bcalvanese]

Here are some of the ones I am using to practice with...

I know they are way out of my league, but that is what motivates me. If they can do it... So can I...

Also, these 2 dudes have a wealth of information for beginners like me...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfkpRl1dykCRyyspOB0hffQ

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqyYiP2VfE8nlEYTP8Kvng

Plus they're cool...

 

[bcalvanese]

Bob with two names. Welcome Two-Bob to SOTW. Lol reading the rules is not a requirement of membership. It's just polite
Don't believe everything you read on this site. It's all true and will make you crazy. Especially at such a old age of 62.
Can't find something? Learn to search here. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?365784-Searching-
Just one Yamaha ? You're in trouble pal. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?9-(Saxophone)-Makes-and-Models
Hungry ? https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?319498-What’s-Cook’n
Boredom.... https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?514-Word-games

Any chance you play a Swinette ?

LOL, thanks.

 

[bcalvanese]

Actually Bob, I think your tone is quite good, especially for someone just getting back into playing. If anything, it may be time for some mouthpiece experimentation ....

I have been using mainly the C4 that came with my sax, but today I tried the Otto Link Tone Edge hard rubber mouthpiece 6*, and the tones seems better, but my mouth gets tired faster.

Is that normal?

thanks,
bob

 

[lydian]

I have been using mainly the C4 that came with my sax, but today I tried the Otto Link Tone Edge hard rubber mouthpiece 6*, and the tones seems better, but my mouth gets tired faster.

Is that normal?

thanks,
bob

In my experience, the more open the mouthpiece, the more physical effort is required to control it. In time, your embouchure muscles will get stronger and you'll get used to it. As I've gotten older, I've dropped down to smaller openings due to the fatigue.

However, a 6* is more open than you C4, but still isn't terribly open. So something else could be going on in your case. A teacher will be able to see/hear what you're doing and tell you if you're doing something wrong that contributes to the fatigue.

 

[Reet McVouty]

In my experience, the more open the mouthpiece, the more physical effort is required to control it. In time, your embouchure muscles will get stronger and you'll get used to it. As I've gotten older, I've dropped down to smaller openings due to the fatigue.

However, a 6* is more open than you C4, but still isn't terribly open. So something else could be going on in your case. A teacher will be able to see/hear what you're doing and tell you if you're doing something wrong that contributes to the fatigue.

+1, I agree with all of this. Your embouchure will need to adjust and strengthen to play a piece that's more open, and you will have some fatigue until it gets stronger. But having it checked out by a competent sax player/teacher would help eliminate any bad habits you may have acquired.

 

[bcalvanese]

In my experience, the more open the mouthpiece, the more physical effort is required to control it. In time, your embouchure muscles will get stronger and you'll get used to it. As I've gotten older, I've dropped down to smaller openings due to the fatigue.

However, a 6* is more open than you C4, but still isn't terribly open. So something else could be going on in your case. A teacher will be able to see/hear what you're doing and tell you if you're doing something wrong that contributes to the fatigue.

+1, I agree with all of this. Your embouchure will need to adjust and strengthen to play a piece that's more open, and you will have some fatigue until it gets stronger. But having it checked out by a competent sax player/teacher would help eliminate any bad habits you may have acquired.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't really have a teacher, and I don't know any sax players.

However, I am watching a lot of YouTube videos on embouchure and how to to it properly. I think I just need to give it a little time for the muscles to develop.

Thanks again.