saxophone

[snorkel]

talk about sax if you play(ed).

Iv'e been surprised how quickly my embouchure, range, and jazz skillz (soloing on jazz scales) have returned after several months of very infrequent practice... when I started I was at a loss for one or two of the 3rd fingerings, but the rhythm in the fingers and hands is almost all there.

I have a 1930s (within the first 10,000 of its brand made) Martin Handcraft tenor and metal Otto Link 5* mouthpiece, it produces a low end that is the sound of sex.

I'm thinking next time I'm bored and none of my friends are free I'll drive out to a barren landscape and blast away, for the sunlight and weird echo


edit: if you play another woodwind seriously then fine, I have a feeling there will be some clarinets. start another thread for stupid brass discussion


here is my sax (not mine, same model/engraving/mechanics though), because you want to see it

[img]http://www.themartinstory.net/version7/models/Handcraft%20Committee-124999-alto-5.jpg[/img]

[Mando Pandango]

I played sax from 5th to 11th grade. I was pretty good at it but my improvisational skills were terrible. I never had any really decent equipment. I played on size 3 because I'm hardcore like that.

Yup.

[snorkel]

I played sax from 5th to 11th grade. I was pretty good at it but my improvisational skills were terrible. I never had any really decent equipment. I played on size 3 because I'm hardcore like that.

Yup.

3's not really hardcore, try playing on a 1 or 1.5 and you'll see how much work your mouth and throat should be doing. (Vandoren V16 2.5 are the long-standing superior reed, though)

I never liked band or reading sheet music, I could never use my big jazzy metal mouthpieces because they were too loud and brilliant

[Andria]

I played clarinet from 6th-8th grade. I kinda wish I didn't quit band or at least kept my clarinet to keep playing just on my own. I was pretty good at it. I got to skip the entire first year of band cause I basically memorized the book in a night.

[Mando Pandango]

3's not really hardcore, try playing on a 1 or 1.5 and you'll see how much work your mouth and throat should be doing. (Vandoren V16 2.5 are the long-standing superior reed, though)

I never liked band or reading sheet music, I could never use my big jazzy metal mouthpieces because they were too loud and brilliant

I played on Vandoren 2.5s for a long time, but eventually switched to 3s. I couldn't imagine playing on a 1.5, let alone a 1.

I could basically sightread sheet music well enough for my high school conductors, and I really only did normal concert band so I could do jazz band. I don't think I was ever satisfied with my sax's tone at any point ever.

[snorkel]

I played on Vandoren 2.5s for a long time, but eventually switched to 3s. I couldn't imagine playing on a 1.5, let alone a 1.

I could basically sightread sheet music well enough for my high school conductors, and I really only did normal concert band so I could do jazz band. I don't think I was ever satisfied with my sax's tone at any point ever.

3 would be fine for concert band, since it would very rarely be necessary to eke out the higher ranges where soft reeds help (pitch-bending would also be unimportant)

were you playing a shitty student model or something? I know what you mean about never satisfied with the tone, I went through a few varieties and makes/vintages of saxes before settling on this old tenor. I think the mouthpiece is even more key for how it accents the sax, I found mine after much experimenting (my ideal is a deep, gruff but smooth, clear, bright but not piercing just full, vintage-type 40s big band sax sound.)

[ahshshj]

I played the flute in 5th grade. 

[Boogus Epirus Aurelius]

I have a bamboo sax.

[sans culottes]

i fail at instruments that require blowing
and regardless sax is hard as balls
but i sure wish i could play it

[Travis]

i fail at instruments that require blowing
and regardless sax is hard as balls
but i sure wish i could play it

if you think playing saxophone is hard then i urge you to never pick up a brass instrument

[Mando Pandango]

3 would be fine for concert band, since it would very rarely be necessary to eke out the higher ranges where soft reeds help (pitch-bending would also be unimportant)

were you playing a shitty student model or something? I know what you mean about never satisfied with the tone, I went through a few varieties and makes/vintages of saxes before settling on this old tenor. I think the mouthpiece is even more key for how it accents the sax, I found mine after much experimenting (my ideal is a deep, gruff but smooth, clear, bright but not piercing just full, vintage-type 40s big band sax sound.)

No, it was my sax, but it just wasn't great and I didn't care enough to do much about it when it got worn out. Honestly I was never that passionate to begin with.

[Claquesous]

if you think playing saxophone is hard then i urge you to never pick up a brass instrument

wat

I never had much trouble with trumpet or euphonium, but I imagine sax is harder because of all those keys.

[Travis]

wat

I never had much trouble with trumpet or euphonium, but I imagine sax is harder because of all those keys.

it's not especially hard when you're a beginner, but to play any instrument well it takes a lot of skill

[Mando Pandango]

wat

I never had much trouble with trumpet or euphonium, but I imagine sax is harder because of all those keys.

If you can play recorder, you can play saxophone.

[Martin]

A friend of mine is very good at tenor. I asked him what transposing was and why saxists need to do it. I still don't get it, I think it's magic.