[SmoothSaxPlayer]

... i hope it's not too late for me.

First of all, I just want to introduce myself to the forum. I just bought myself a soprano by Australia Largo. Looks like a pretty good sax to me. My Korg chromatic tuner says it's tuned so I guess that's a good start. Anyway, I've been wanting to play saxophone ever since I was 15. Ten years ago, I bought a used alto (no name brand). I looked everything up online on how to play it, from blowing the horn to fingering. I'm not really a "note" kind of guy so I learn music by ear. I was able to blow some good tunes but I lost interest. I guess it was my impatience and not knowing if my sax is still in good shape to use.

Now, I wanted to start it all over again. Hopefully, my new sax will take me a long way. I'll try to be more patient this time.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Smooth . . .: Welcome to SOTW. I started on soprano when I was 16 years old - that was a few years ago (51 to be precise). Anyway, it can be fun. Enjoy the ride. DAVE

 

[NU2SAX]

Welcome. I'm 43, just started a year ago, and it is truly an enjoyable ride, especially with these folks on SOTW to help out, and make you laugh.

So to me, at 32 you're a young 'un. By the time you're my age you'll be outstanding!

 

[freeflier]

Hey SmoothPlayer, congratulations. Heck no, 32 ain't too late, you got me beat by a few years. You didn't mention if you play any other instruments, but if not... well, if you're playing by ear and making good progress then more power to you. However, if you find yourself hitting a plateau, or getting frustrated, it may be time to learn some basic theory. Major and minor scales and the associated chords, at least. Yeah, it's a bit like work (or school) but no one said making music is easy. Actually, for me it's a little easier and more interesting if I know why a tune sounds the way it does.

Also, consider getting a private teacher. May need to try out a few to find one whose teaching style matches your learning style (I think this is much more important with adults than kids).

Good luck, and stick with it!

 

[LateNiteSax]

never too late

Welcome to the club. Tune out all negative influences that permeate the media and society that tell you such things as its too late, and do what your intuition tells you to do in all lifestyle issues. Make healthy choices, such as turning off the TV, eating raw organic foods and picking up a saxophone and making joyous music. Sonny Rollins told me, "we sax players must stick together and save the world." The more the better.

 

[brianincairo]

Welcome to the club. Tune out all negative influences that permeate the media and society that tell you such things as its too late, and do what your intuition tells you to do in all lifestyle issues. Make healthy choices, such as turning off the TV, eating raw organic foods and picking up a saxophone and making joyous music. Sonny Rollins told me, "we sax players must stick together and save the world." The more the better.

I agree completely. Weight lifting will help your playing, also. Forget all those idiots who think if you didn't start playing in grade school, that it's too late. It's not. I didn't pick up an axe until my late twenties...keep an open mind, listen to everything you can get your hands on, and find a teacher you like. My best results have been haunting jazz clubs, watching other horn players, and then approaching the ones I liked, and just inquiring to see if they'd be interested in spending a few hours with me...plus, it's cool to have a tutor who's "working." I catch the sets, listen carefully, then usually have a few questions for the end of the next practice session. Have fun.

 

[FrankB]

Well, I'm 39 and started this May, so if it's too late for you then I'm pretty much stuffed!

However, as I'm having the time of my life I'm inclined to think that we're both okay.

 

[devanabigia]

I am 33 and after a long brake i started a year ago and doing pretty good. Have fun be patient and stay focused.

 

[fballatore]

Damn, 32. I wish I had started when I was 32. I started at 47 a little less than 3 years ago. Loving every minute...

Welcome aboard.

 

[tictactux]

Damn, 32. I wish I had started when I was 32. I started at 47 a little less than 3 years ago. Loving every minute...

Yeah, always those youngsters...
(43 here, two years of "clamping on" now...)

Picking up an instrument is one of the more clever moves on can do in life...welcome.

 

[jazzbluescat]

Playing sax at 32...I hope it's not too late for me.

:sign5:

Ok, time's up.

 

[porbem]

I didn’t present myself to the forum when I joined early this year. Sorry!

I’ll try to fill the blank right now.

I’ve been all my life an unconditional music fan (mostly jazz and “classical” music). I’ve even played drums a long time ago in a rock/jazz band (40 years ago) but without getting any musical education.

I always felt a crush for the lush sound of saxophones (and for the bass clarinet). Now with 56 I decided to pick up the alto and the soprano.

Bought a sax and tried to learn it by myself (don't ever do that, get a teacher!). That first wrong move has been corrected immediately by joining a community band last year.

Now, I’m happily struggling with score reading, music theory, scales … and performing with the band (that’s still stressing) under the supervision of the teacher/conductor (he also plays most wind or brass instruments, if needed!).

The challenge generates lots of energy and I feel great!

 

[SmoothSaxPlayer]

Thank you all for the encouragement. This forum is actually motivating me as I practice everyday. Well, its' been a couple days so far.

Originally Posted by porbem
Bought a sax and tried to learn it by myself (don't ever do that, get a teacher!). That first wrong move has been corrected immediately by joining a community band last year.

I know everyone is recommending to get a teacher but I wanted to challenge myself. I've been learning everything so far through the information from different websites and this forum. My next plan is to buy books and DVDs. And maybe eventually, record myself and ask some feedback. I'm not planning on making a career out of this but to fulfill a long time dream. Hopefully this route will work out for me.

 

[fballatore]

Smooth -

It's not a question of challenging yourself. It's a matter of developing bad habits which will hinder your progress. At the very least, you should start out with a teacher for the first few months so that you form a good basis to practice and continue on from there. Then you can practice using books and DVDs.

Good luck,

Frank

 

[asaxman]

GET A TEACHER! You'll learn ten times faster, and you won't get into bad habits that can take a long time to fix! Good luck, and welcome.

 

[queperknuckle]

I started playing sax in junior high school and kept it up until now. I've only started seriously playing jazz for the past two years. You definitely need a teacher. When you're young, you get a teacher for free in grade school. Just because you don't get one for free doesn't mean you shouldn't get one. There's just no reason not to have one.

 

[FrankB]

A good teacher is a really, really advisable move.

Even with one I'm sure there'll be sufficient challenge in forming a good embouchure, developing proper air support, learning the scales, ear training, fingering at speed, sight-reading music, learning to transpose, subtoning, altissimo, finding your own tone...

You know, the basics.

 

[porbem]

... learning to transpose, subtoning, altissimo, finding your own tone...

You know, the basics.

IMO these last ones are not basics! Are they?

 

[FrankB]

Nope. I was being ironic. (Apparently unsuccessfully! )

 

[Dog Pants]

Started up again at 33. Practiced 2.5 to 3 hours a day, every day as an antidote to a 12 hour work day, in a soul crushing job.
Sax practice was my relaxation. I got a good teacher, (Bootman, from this forum), and kept at it. My original aim was to get up at the local blues jam.
One thing led to another, and now, 7 odd years later, I'm teaching kids each and every day, and playing regularly. The only thing that's changed, is now I have to practice 5 to 6 hours a day, because I have to get my clarinet and flute chops up.
So I'd say 32 is still young enough. Stick to it and enjoy the journey. Ya never know where it'll lead.