Which One?

4384 Views 42 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Jonathan C., May 23, 2007

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2007

In about a year, I am going to go to college, and I would like to do a dual major with one of them being Music Education. And I have a tough descision to make and was looking for some imput. This Summer I figure I can raise X amount, for my Instrument fund. And their is a Soprano near me, that is decently close to that X. However What I am wishing to know is what would be more useful? A Soprano, or getting great (Expensive) mouthpieces for my Alto, and Tenor? I asked my private Lesson teacher and he said that at (UNT which is not where I want to go) that the Soprano only goes for the Top band, and the Small group work. So what would you recomend?

I looked and could not find anything on this subject.

Thank you for the replies.

~Carbs

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hakukani

· #2 · May 21, 2007

Carbs,

No matter which University you choose, you are going to have to play classical literature. Most classical literature is written for alto. I would work really hard on my alto chops. If that means getting the most killer alto piece, then go that way.

If you really want to spend money, buy books and reeds and practice, study, practice...and practice.

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 21, 2007

Thanks Hakukani. Its not that I want to spend money now, I just would like to know what I need to get. So I can get the best deal possable on whatever.

Martinman

· #4 · May 21, 2007

I would also go with the killer mouthpieces. Or maybe even decent but cheap pieces, decent ligs, and a ton of reeds. If you practice a lot in college you will go through a ton of reeds and wish you had more.

Carl H.

· #5 · May 21, 2007

Carbs said:
Thanks Hakukani. Its not that I want to spend money now, I just would like to know what I need to get. So I can get the best deal possable on whatever.

Pick your school and talk to your future task master/ sax teacher. You will feel really dumb if your teacher makes you replace your new purchase before you can have your 2nd lesson!

Save your money for music, you will need it.

Little Sax

· #6 · May 21, 2007 (Edited)

Although I agree with what everyone has said about the importance of your alto chops, I say get the soprano.

If you're going to be playing in a quartet, the soprano part is usually the most interesting to play. Also, simply having a soprano opens up a few more options for both Symphonic Band and Jazz Band charts. ...but you're going to want to have spent some time with it before you tell your future bandmasters that you can cover those parts. The last thing they want to hear is a wounded duck that needs to be put out of its misery.

Good Luck!

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 21, 2007

Thanks Guys. Though I am even more confused then when I started. (I kinda expected that though) I really value your suggestions.

Thank you
~Carbs

jmartin

· #8 · May 21, 2007

Save your money until you get to school and find out what you really need.

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 21, 2007

jmartin said:
Save your money until you get to school and find out what you really need.

Dang it I should have put that as one of my options.

~Carbs

Martin Williams

· #10 · May 21, 2007

Carbs, go ahead buy a mpc.

GAS will hit before you get there and you wont like it anymore, then your teacher will request another one and...

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 21, 2007

Martin Williams said:
Carbs, go ahead buy a mpc.

GAS will hit before you get there and you wont like it anymore, then your teacher will request another one and...

In that case wouldn't it be better to get a Soprano?:? :? :? :?

jmartin

· #12 · May 21, 2007

Carbs, you are getting responses from people who have terminal GAS (not that there's anything wrong with that

) Their natural instinct is always "buy, buy, buy." You're getting ready to become a college student, and if you are like most of us were, you will be a "poor" college student. Save as much money as you can before you head off to college, you can never have too much beer money.

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 21, 2007

jmartin said:
Carbs, you are getting responses from people who have terminal GAS (not that there's anything wrong with that ) Their natural instinct is always "buy, buy, buy." You're getting ready to become a college student, and if you are like most of us were, you will be a "poor" college student. Save as much money as you can before you head off to college, you can never have too much beer money.

I can see your point with saving, however its a dry county

And yes I will be a poor college student.

Martin Williams

· #14 · May 21, 2007

Carbs said:
In that case wouldn't it be better to get a Soprano?:? :? :? :?

The same will go for the soprano! lol GAS applies to all things

Ol Danl

· #15 · May 21, 2007

Carbs, you said your major would be music EDUCATION, right? Many years ago, I was a Mus. major, and was in Mus. Ed. for one semester. Most of the folks I knew were in Mus. Ed., and it seemed they spent more time learning unfamiliar instruments than they did their own. Of course, you will want to spend as much time as possible on your own instrument, but you will probably have to learn other woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion. We were supposed to pass a piano proficiency, too. I'd definitely wait until I got there.

Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 21, 2007

I wish their was a way to do all of it.

Carl H.

· #17 · May 21, 2007

Carbs, You will be learning all the ww&brass instruments, at the least. You might want to put some cash in reserve for when you decide to take on a double or triple. Broke college students have been known to sell off their doubles for low prices when they are in need of cash. It is much better to be in a position to buy, but still not bad to have something to sell if you should find yourself in need.

I picked up a few instruments and mouthpieces in school when friends offered them to me at crazy prices - I never made offers, I said yes or no. I'm all for a deal, but I would never screw a friend when they were in need. None of them ever wanted to buy back the stuff (same price) when their situation was improved either, so I don't feel bad about any of those purchases.

Wait and save your money.

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Jonathan C.

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 21, 2007

Thanks Carl. I will deffiantly do that. Courosity what kind of stuff did they sell, and at what kind of prices?

~Carbs

Carl H.

· #19 · May 21, 2007

Carbs said:
Thanks Carl. I will deffiantly do that. Courosity what kind of stuff did they sell, and at what kind of prices?

~Carbs

Midline stuff at cheap prices. Some of it I've given away, some of it I've sold, and some I still have.

Dr G

· #20 · May 21, 2007

Carl H. said:
Broke college students have been known to sell off their doubles for low prices when they are in need of cash. It is much better to be in a position to buy, but still not bad to have something to sell if you should find yourself in need.

Amen. Ditto. etc.

That's where I got the best price on both a Mk VI sop and a Serie III sop - buying horns from "music majors" in college. If it is not already a STRONG double, it's a bad time to buy it. Kinda like showing up to a gun fight with a knife.

Wait.

Get good with what you've got (or consider upgrading your alto) before you dilute your interests and time. You don't need to be learning a new horn when there is so much else on your plate. I guarantee you will NOT be getting calls to play sop solos your first year. If you were that good, you'd not be asking this question.

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

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