There's just two problems with the title of your clip: 1. The word "Summertime" is the name of a famous tune that listeners might be expecting to hear, and 2. the word "jam" implies that it is not a written/arranged solo, which this one obviously is. So, please change its title.
There's nothing about the recording that suggests that the Sax player (you?) doesn't already have the skills to play, say, "Summertime", in the manner of a real "jam" session. Are you saying that you don't?
Are you also suggesting that you don't/can't improvise on piano?
Because if you can, then you have a really good head start to playing Sax (or others).
ie. What's your real problem here? Welcome to SOTW. Cheers...

 

There's just two problems with the title of your clip: 1. The word "Summertime" is the name of a famous tune that listeners might be expecting to hear, and 2. the word "jam" implies that it is not a written/arranged solo, which this one obviously is. So, please change its title.
There's nothing about the recording that suggests that the Sax player (you?) doesn't already have the skills to play, say, "Summertime", in the manner of a real "jam" session. Are you saying that you don't?
Are you also suggesting that you don't/can't improvise on piano?
Because if you can, then you have a really good head start to playing Sax (or others).
ie. What's your real problem here? Welcome to SOTW. Cheers...

I can improvise on the piano / synth.
I wanted to ask for the opinion of specialists who play for a long time, how long does it take to get to, say, "basic level" on the saxophone. So, for example, there are no problems with intonation. I know that knowing the notes and playing the piano helps me a lot in learning because I already know the tempo, notes, harmony, etc.
ps. I had no idea for a different title. It was very hot in the summer as I recorded it ...

 

All night in the woodshop, blurry eyes, what's up with the hand movement when pressing the octave key?

 

Excellent Merry-Go-Round music. And yes...... why are you moving your hand in order to reach the octave key?
It takes anywhere from 6 months to 30 years ( 😅 ) to develop a steady, pleasant tone on the saxophone. Depends on a lot of factors and on the individual.
Don't give up. Your tone doesn't sound too bad considering how long you've been playing. Playing long notes day in and day out helps develop a steady intonation.

 

Excellent Merry-Go-Round music. And yes...... why are you moving your hand in order to reach the octave key?
It takes anywhere from 6 months to 30 years ( 😅 ) to develop a steady, pleasant tone on the saxophone. Depends on a lot of factors and on the individual.
Don't give up. Your tone doesn't sound too bad considering how long you've been playing. Playing long notes day in and day out helps develop a steady intonation.

hmmm, I don't know why I move my hand to the octave key ...? Only when I go to the piano, I play it right away and when I use the saxophon I have to study .... but I like this sound . 30 years ?!?!?! I don't have that much time that's why I'm wondering. I keep wondering whether to let him go because it's a waste of time for a saxophone ...? ....

 

I think your tone is quite good. Hard to judge though since you’re in unison with the synth.

I think if you listen to some players you like and copy their inflections and phrasing, you’ll be on your way. You’re just somewhat emotionless and mechanical right now.

Definitely need to fix the thumb. Should rest at about 2 o’clock overlapping the key. When you press the key, the joint should bend or slightly roll while staying put on the rest, no shift at all. When playing the palm notes, a slight rotation is added, but joint still stays put on the rest.

As others have said, the time required varies by individual. As a kid, I was playing tunes with a good sound within the first few months because I had a knack for being able to copy what I heard on records. That’s really the key to the best sound IMO.

Keep up the good work.

 

I mean, there’s nothing “wrong” with how you’re playing this melody. Right now you can already do the thing you say you want to do:

How long does it take to play the saxophone to play each melody relatively smoothly ... 2 years? more ? I don't mean some solos, only melodies.

What is it you want to do that you can’t do yet? I need to know that before I can guess how long it would take to get from here to there.

 

My sax teacher spends much more time on keyboards than on sax. And, like you, he got his start on keys but liked the sound of the sax and took it up. He undoubtedly made more progress in his first 7-8 months on sax than I have in 5+ years and, from what I hear in your clip, you probably have too.

If you want to play sax, go for it. If life prevents you from committing to both then you might have to focus on one if your goal is to excel. But don't completely drop the other - they're a great combination for a variety of reasons.

 

You should play sax (or not) because you enjoy it (or not). 8 months is just the very beginning. You're doing well already but this is a long journey and you will keep getting better. The satisfaction comes from that process, not necessarily the end result.
Your hand movement to reach the octave key is a major handicap to develop your playing. You should correct it ASAP.
Looking at the video, your sax looks too low against your body IMO. I'd raise it a couple inches at the neckstrap.
Do you have a teacher?

 

Do you have a teacher?

no, but I want to take some private lessons.

 

To make a choice about direction in an activity, you need to understand why you do that activity. There is no universal answer to your question, particularly with as little information as you've posted. But you don't necessarily need to post more information, because we will never, ever know as much about your situation as you do.

If making music is a hobby you do for the pleasure of creating music that brings you joy, then how well does the saxophone contribute to that, and what is the cost of continuing to spend time on it?

 

Hohner Melodica?

 

You'll be on top of the horn long before you'll develop the muscles to carry the piano and serenade the gals at the beach.
Your question about how long, might be considered childish or ???,
and that's a constructive comment.

Summertime Jam is right on for your title and we in South Florida say that all year long.

Keep playing, get your thumb in order, another thread addressed that recently, and swing Latin when you can.

I carried a piccolo on board, in the picture from '92, and it attracts fish and drives the other boaters away from the productive spots.
They call me Bird... Blue Bird 007.
No Tux but always a Walther for Sharknados.

 

How long does it take to play an instrument well? Last time I checked, it was about 1000 years.

You sound fine on both keys and sax. Do what your heart wants.

Side note - the piano is out of tune too.. the difference Is that it’s out of tune the same way every time.

 

Sounds good already. But maybe dynamics and vibrato. But even on the keys you were pretty even 'dynamic wise. maybe your style? But the sax would breathe if you vary your dynamics.

Keep fingers to the sax keys closer specially the thumb

 

You seem to be getting a pretty good sound out of the sax already, especially for having played it only for several months. However, it would be easier to hear the sax tone if you cut back the volume (& maybe some of the effects) of the piano & synthesizer so the sax would stand out a bit more.

No way to really answer your question regarding how long it will take to play with a good tone, in tune, and good technique. So much depends on the individual, time spent practicing, desire to play, etc. Being in a hurry is not going to help, though. As you may already know from learning the piano, it takes patience. And as you've noticed, the sax (like most wind instruments) doesn't automatically play in tune or with consistent intonation. That takes time to develop, using your ear. You have an advantage being able to play over your piano/synthesizer and match tones, using your ear, which is the best way to do it.

Bottom line, only you can answer the question whether you should pursue the sax or not. You have to want it.

 

Disregard.

 

???????????????

 

Thank you for your answers. I think I need some more time and a few lessons from the teacher.
I think the difference is that I sit down to the keys and play vs sit on the saxophone and learn to play.

 

I think the difference is that I sit down to the keys and play vs sit on the saxophone and learn to play.

If you sit on the sax, it may not function properly after you get up and you'll have to take it into a sax tech for repair!

 

I wonder if you have the opportunity to play with others on either instrument. That could lead you to concentrate on one instrument or the other. That said, I think it would be a pity to give up the sax having reached the stage that you have. After six years of playing tenor I am now finding it ever more satisfying (slow learner).