Forum of the Saxes

CamTheCat · Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Canada

Hey gang. I hope this forum really gets going for us all.

On the subject of beginners, I just want to make sure that we all have our heads on straight. There's no shortcut to becoming a great player. We have to put the work in to get the results, and the 'work' is the best part! With out solid commitment, one will find that it takes a great many years to become a decent player, much longer than if they practiced for a minimum one hour per day.

Anyways, I've been playing for about 16 years, and would love to offer my experience on any sax subjects.

Later.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject:

I've been playing seven years and feel I have some to offer but am striving everyday to learn. So I'll be frequenting here to help but also to get help on various things.

Cam, has your blog been posted with altissimo stuff yet? Thanx! :D
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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Guest · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:52 am Post subject: dang

well ive only played for four so i geuss compared to you guys im only a beginer right

JPSaxMan · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject:

Don't worry about that too much. Just don't act like ya know it all and you'll be all right Wink

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Thomas · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 223 Location: Alberta, Canada

Yeah, that's the worst - when beginners act really cocky. This one kid has gone to my camp for about 2 years, and he fits the bill. He thinks that he's "all that" just because he plays in some marching band elsewhere. This year (assuming he's going again), he'll be old enough to be in my band. *shudders* Confused

It'll be an interesting experience...
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Thomas Hay
Sax player, music student, composer, Finale user, and part-time slacker/procrastinator.

-88- · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 26

Thomas is right. Cocky behavior almost always is a cover for fear. Here is a technique you might try when having to deal with that malady in others: talk to their fear, not as an antagonist, but as a friend -- this cannot be faked, it has to be genuine or don't do it. Talk to them as if they are your younger brother -- in some ways they are. If the person has inclination to rise above their fear, they will intuitively recognize your approach as authentic and warm to it. Be ready, of course, for your friendship to be tested, just as a true father to them would be tested, had they had a true father. Few in America do, but that's not for this forum.

Anyway, try honestly honoring his real accomplishments while refusing to acknowledge his BS. He likely needs a father and you can perform that function for him without even discussing it with him. He will grow and you can watch him mature. There will be moments when he will rise to the occasion and be your father too -- take it as a great sign he is growing under your tutelage. I have seen moments when teenagers father older men. The relationship has little to do with chronological age, and much to do with emotional maturity. Nice exercise, but these things are rarely ever discussed in our society.
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The heart plays, little else matters.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:15 am Post subject:

*golf claps*...well I never woulda thought Razz

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Thomas · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 223 Location: Alberta, Canada

Wow, that was very insightful. Thanks, 88. Very Happy

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Thomas Hay
Sax player, music student, composer, Finale user, and part-time slacker/procrastinator.

yoshiplaysthesax · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

i like to catch them face down in their bs i wonder where that will get me... wow i see me 20 years from now im a ceo of a fourtune 500 company omg i got shot by a disgrunteld co worker!!!! it seems i fired them...
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playing the sax duh...

yoshiplaysthesax · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

i like to catch them face down in their bs i wonder where that will get me... wow i see me 20 years from now im a ceo of a fourtune 500 company omg i got shot by a disgrunteld co worker!!!! it seems i fired them...
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playing the sax duh...

Doc Frazier · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

My Dad taught me a loooooong time ago that if you have to blow your own horn ( no pun intended ) , you have nothing. I see alot of school kids that think just because they can play a small lick or two or have a nice, shiny horn that they are King/Queen of the music seen. NOT!

My first horn was a Pan American tenor (10M stencil). I cut a lot of grass to buy it. It looks nasty (tarnished silver) and it could really use a rebuild, but it will still blow the doors off of anything out there. Attitude will destroy even the best player. -88- gave sound advice. I've been playing 31 years and I still don't know it all. iuyt
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HIS,
Doc Frazier
www.JandJWoodwinds.com
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