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Question: Learning the Saxophone!?
Hi =)

I'm very interested in purchasing a saxophone and self-teaching myself!. I have a few questions about it though!.

I can't afford lessons, so I was wondering if teaching myself is possible and sensible!? (I have been playing piano and guitar for 10 years, so I have a good knowledge of music and theory already, so I was hoping that would help)!. also, I've heard that the Saxophone is quite a nice instrument to learn, as problems with intonation don't happen as much as with other similar instruments (or so I've been told)!. Is this true!? =)

Finally, I was wondering, what type of Saxophone should I get!? I was thinking of an Alto Saxophone, but what would you recommend!? =)

Thank you so much for your help, and sorry that I asked so many questions, but I want to make an informed choice before I do this =)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I would definitely start with an alto sax!. It is VERY possible to teach yourself, in fact, I find sax one of the easiest instruments to just play around with and learn!. I would really suggest buying a cheap beginners book to show you some of the basics (embouchure, fingering)

All instruments that you are new to will have trouble staying in tune, but ones like the saxophone tend to be on the easier side (compared to string and brass instruments)!.

You are new to woodwinds!. Make sure you buy the right sax and the right reed, and make sure you learn how to handle the instrument and put it together from someone!. Putting a sax together is something you're better off learning from someone, not doing yourself!.

FYI, beginners typically use a number 2 reed, sometimes 2!.5!. Never go lower(softer), and a no!. 3(harder) is for more advanced players!.

Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

i learned clarinet in school and self taught myself on several types of sax, bass clarinet, valve trombone, trumpet, etc!. My opinion is that once you know how to read music you can teach yourself to play anything!. don't be fooled saxophones do tend to need tuning, but if you play the piano and can tell when a piano is out of tune then you'll have no problem with sax!. i would recommend learning b flat clarinet because i mastered it quite quickly, it is more transposable (music for it) to piano so you might pick that up more easily!.
if you do like the sax and go with that i would suggest alto i've heard they are easier but i enjoyed the baritone sax more mostly becasue i love that deep low sound!.
good luck, feel free to ask any other questions you have i love the wood winds, good choice!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Dezzy !.!.!.!. Hi =)

This is going to be pretty short BUT!.!.!.

You should get the alto saxophone!.!.!. it is smaller and easier to manipulate when you are learning!. The best brand and if you can buy used (in excellent condition) is Yamaha YAS 23!.!. which is the very sturdy and well made student model!. Look for used!.!.!. they are in abundance out there and you should expect to pay anywhere from between $350!.00 to $700!.00 depending on who is selling!. Check with Craiglist!.org for your city (musical instrument category!.!.!. and type in Yamaha saxophone in the search box), in the news paper and on eBay!.com!.

As far as you teaching yourself!.!.!. might not get you very far!. But if you cannot afford lessons and you say you can't!.!.!. try to find a teacher that will do bi-monthly!.!.!. meaning two lessons a month!.!. which would save you alot of money but also get you the instruction you need to play correctly!. If you buy the instrument and the mouth piece and reeds and a few books!.!.!.!. but no teacher!.!.!. you will not stay with it!.!.!. meaning a waste of your initial investment!. But having a teacher work with you, even just twice a month will help tremendously in blowing correctly, playing the notes in the order you should learn them, avoiding bad habits, learning at a progressive pace!.!.!. all pluses to the success of your being able to play and sticking with it!.

Hope I was able to give you some sound and valuable advice!.

Thank you for reading!.Www@QuestionHome@Com