Too old? Too poor?

Guest · 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

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

Bariman

Renting might be a good option for you.

Bariman

reisio

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

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

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.

CMelodyMan