[Kplum]

I have read alot of posts.. I am trying to find the answer to my question..

I am a total newbie. I played trumpet in high school. Now I am 30 and wanting to play sax with an emphasis on jazz music.. Not too sure where to start.. Alto? Tenor? Please help me get started

 

[ChuBerry47]

Well I would listen to a few players, and find which one that I liked most, then find out which one He/She plays. I would pick that. Once you have decided that, you can find some very helpful "Standard of Excellence" books on Ebay, that help a lot. Neither is easier. They both have the same fingereings. If you are wanting to buy one, buy two cheap mouthpiece, an go down to a local band store, and play both, and decide which one you like best, and then Practice, Practice, Practice!

 

[jthole]

Well I would listen to a few players, and find which one that I liked most, then find out which one He/She plays. I would pick that.

I would start with finding a good teacher, instead of jumping in and buying a saxophone.

About tenor/alto ... both are great instruments

 

[chops2200]

Do what ChuBerry said....listen to some players and choose which one you like the sound of better. When you do buy a horn, go someplace where you can try out a few, and the staff is friendly. Talk to some of the local musicians who teach if you can, they can probably help you out, plus give you lessons if you're interested. Get the Standard of Excellence books, but you should also find a good teacher, even if it's every other week or something, to help you grow and make sure you're playing the correct way, and not developing bad habits. As for a mouthpiece, I'd say start on a Selmer C* or something similar. This isn't the best mouthpiece for jazz, but it would help you to start here, and once you can get a good sound with it, then move to more of a jazz piece.

If you're set on diving into a jazz mouthpiece, check out some Meyer's, Morgan's, and Otto Link's. Start on the hard rubber pieces, not metal.

Good luck finding a horn. Be wary of cheap horns that won't last, spending the few extra $$$ now could mean fewer issues with a horn and more fun playing.

 

[Kplum]

would you refrain from buying a horn that lacquer finish is not there or dents in bell?

 

[chops2200]

I would be more worried about the dents than the lacquer being worn. If it's from a friend, ask to borrow it to take it to a shop for an estimate. If you can't do this, I'd be careful, even if it's a good deal, it might cost a good deal more to have a tech fix it up.

What kind of horn is it?

 

[barefootsax]

I have actullay run into this before, I had a former student of mine,(former becasue I moved 7 hours away) that had bought a few saxophones before he started taking lessons. He was well read and had a great collection of horns, on alto he had a Yamaha Custom Z and a Top Hat and Cane. His soprano was teh bronze yani, and his tenor was a 6. He had a huge selection of mouthpieces too, we narrowed down his mouthpieces to find the best to suit him. but there was a lot of listening involved, adn he found out who he wanted to sound likem so we went for it, and achieved our goals.

 

[Kplum]

What kind of horn is it?

Just looking a couple of YTS-23's it says minor dents and dings..

I kinda want to sound like BOney James..

 

[kavala]

Alto and tenor are both great horns.

I think tenor is more forgiving. Alto takes a lot of work to sound good.

Also I think tenor is more versatile, although I am sure others will disagree.

If you have played trumpet before, there may be a small advantage in
playing tenor as they are both Bb instruments.

Lacquer doesn't matter. It is only a cosmetic finish.
Dings on the bell should not affect the sound.
However a horn that is dinged may not have enjoyed the TLC that
all good saxes deserve, and so may have problems elsewhere.

 

[chops2200]

i second what Kavala said about the dings....

The yts-23 is the student model, right? I would suggest that if you have a few extra $$$ go for something a little step up, depending on how serious and committed you feel at this point. I played on a yamaha student tenor in middle school, and it was a fine horn. But i feel like they're good horns because they're relatively inexpensive and are good for students who aren't sure if they're going to commit to the horn.

I'm not sure what the price difference would be for a step up, but Yamaha pro horns are wonderful, I've been playing on one for a few months now and I love it...

The only reason I would suggest something above a student model is for the reliability of the horn. I had a ton of problems with my yamaha student horn in school. And i feel like alot of kids who have these problems end up giving up on the instrument because they feel like they can't get it.

If not vintage (which usually retain their value and sometimes even appreciate in value over time)....look into some middle of the run yamaha's, keilwerth's, cannonball's.....i'm not sure what else, someone else here could make a better suggestion as to specific brands.

 

[Kplum]

Chops.. Thats a good twist on the YTS 23.. I never really took that into consideration... I just got off the phone with an instructor. $60 a month for 1/2 hour sessions once a week. So 52 weeks in the year at $720 a year. Thats about 28 dollars an hour. Not too bad..

 

[chops2200]

You might want to take a lesson with him before you even buy a horn, to get his advice, and I'm not sure how much you've listened to different players, but he could probably show you some examples to help you make a decision.

 

[Kplum]

I did talk to him quite a bit. I have listened to so many samples on the net of both alto and tenor. To be honest I really like them both.. I love to listen to Boney on the Tenor and Paul Taylor on the alto.. I think I just may look more in depth on the alto.. then go up to the tenor..

 

[Kplum]

http://www.kesslermusic.com/KesslerCustomSax/AltoBFL.htm

this is what i am looking at as of now..

 

[bluesaxgirl]

Well, if you want to play jazz, I think the tenor is more appropriate and you will get a sound you enjoy moreover than sop, alto, or bari. You can do jazz with any of them though.

 

[chops2200]

Cool man, that alto looks good... i don't know anything about Kessler.
If you're planning on moving to tenor down the road, do you have any reason not to start on it now?

 

[Kplum]

your probably right.. I just need to get a tenor.. Its Just that the alto's price is more appealing..

 

[Seasax]

Well, if you want to play jazz, I think the tenor is more appropriate and you will get a sound you enjoy moreover than sop, alto, or bari.

not necessarily, i think beginners should be left to decide after listening and trying saxes what they want to play.
the alto and soprano and bari are as much jazz horns as tenor