Forum of the Saxes

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

I just started playing the alto saxophone about 2 yearsago. i can't play that well, i mean i'm okay for a begginer, but i'm not that good. what is the best approach to learning to play the sax?, that is, should i hire a teacher or buy DVD's and self teach?

Bleeding_Gums_Murphy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 75

Get a teacher, definitely. They have at least one sax teacher at most music stores, and there are also other "private" teachers that come to your home, or you go to theirs or whatnot.

Bariman · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:33 pm Post subject:

Having a teacher is great, but if that is not an option, do yourself a favor and get ahold of some CD's of artist you like, and listen to them. After a while, you should be able to imitate their style.

Bariman

CMelodyMan · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:

Definately get a private lesson teacher, they help a lot. I used to be pretty bad until last summer when I started taking lessons. Now I'm pretty good. Anyway, I would avoid the private lesson teachers at music stores, because most of them aren't qualified. At the music store near me they get guitarists to teach saxophone lessons, and clarinetists to teach trumpet, etc. I take private lessons with one of my band director's friends who's a pro saxophonist.

Hope this helps,

David
_________________

Alto: Yanagisawa (880), Morgan 6M w/ Rico
C Melody: c.1919 Martin Inspiration
York soprano

Bariman · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject:

Yes, definetly check out any teacher's reputation.

Bariman

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

OK, I'll get my mom to start lookin for one. thanks guys Very Happy

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

oh, one more thing, how much do private teachers usually charge per hour/?

JPSaxMan · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject:

It's in your best interest if you can find an instructor who graduated from a formidable university with a major in saxophone. That means he/she knows all the tips and tricks (technical stuff) there is to know about saxophone.

I tried to find one, but the nearest one was 30 miles away Shocked

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

CMelodyMan · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject:

Yes, or at least get someone who is currently majoring in the saxophone.
_________________

Alto: Yanagisawa (880), Morgan 6M w/ Rico
C Melody: c.1919 Martin Inspiration
York soprano

Bleeding_Gums_Murphy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 75

My teacher charges 25 bucks per lesson, which usually goes about three-quarters of an hour, sometimes almost an hour, but I have no idea what "average" price would be considered. My teacher's an analytical chemist, and the best alto player I've ever met.

-Bleeding Gums Murphy

CMelodyMan · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject:

My teacher charges $15 for a half hour lesson.
_________________

Alto: Yanagisawa (880), Morgan 6M w/ Rico
C Melody: c.1919 Martin Inspiration
York soprano

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

i got lessons with a sas student in collgese. i think i'll improve with his help.

musicalprodigy · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 119

my teacher is great! i'm improving tremendously! Very Happy

thanks for the help guys,

jake