Forum of the Saxes

Guest · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject: Too old? Too poor?

I want to play sax. Okay I know I'll never be Bird or Sonny, but I'd really love to eventually be able to knock out a recognisable tune.
Two worries:
1. Am I too old? I'm 36.
2. Can I afford it? Disposable income isn't a luxury I have much of. Maybe after I fall thoroughly in love with the instrument, I'll get a second job to buy a good one, but right now I simply can't afford that. I know a lot of people say 'If you make the investment, you won't regret it' but the straight-up is I don't have the dough to make the investment. Do you have to be semi-wealthy to consider learning this intrument?

altosax4ever · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:18 pm Post subject:

No, not all all. Anyone canlearn to play this fine instrument, poor or rich, young or old. What price range are you looking at?
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Music IS Life

(and the saxophone is breathing)

Bariman · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject:

Renting might be a good option for you.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

I dunno...by the time you get very far you'd probably have spent as much in rent as a used student horn costs.

PETE · Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 4 Location: perth / australia

Well your certainly not too old. I've just picked up the sax and at 49 it' a lot of fun / work. I think if it's in you you just have to give it a go. I rented a student Keilworth for a while and that didn't cost much at all. Was a good way to see if I really wanted to keep going.
all the best

Tully · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 170 Location: Woodinville, WA

If you're still breathing, you're young enough!

As for the financial side of things, a Yamaha YAS-23 alto or YTS-23 tenor can be found used for roughly $400-$500, and that model should last you indefinitely. They're marketed as student horns, but they're far better than any other student horn; even pros use them as back-ups. Once you figure out exactly how much you can spend, you might go to saxontheweb.net and put an add in the Horns Wanted section of the Marketplace. I guarantee someone will having something good (or at the very least, workable) in your price range.
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CMelodyMan · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject: