Question: How do you play the alto!?
I'm currently playing the flute and suck at it!. Did play the bari sax for almost two years and was really good at it!. New school doesn't have enough bari saxes to be rented out because they are all rented out to upperclassmen and people who can only play the bari!. So I'm going to try the alto!. Friend has one that I can practice on!. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVISE AND TIPS ON PLAYING THE ALTO!! HATE THE FLUTE ! I WANNA PLAY THE SAX! (ps - no practice makes perfect crap cuz i already know that)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I play the alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, piano, and Flute!. I march in the marching band with the alto and I was in your situation once!. I wanted to be in jazz band, but the clarinet wasn't jazzy enough, so I had to learn the sax!.
I taught myself and now I play very well!.
Here are my tips and what I did to teach myself:
Just sit down and play in a quiet room by yourself!. I know you said no practice makes perfect crap, but you know that it really does work!. :)
Go online and print up a fingering chart!!!!
Get a book from the library or any music store on learning the alto!. If it has a cd with it!.!.!.use it!.
Get a nice neck strap!. I use and most people use NeoTech!.
Make sure you have a good mouthpiece that fits you and reeds that you feel comfortable playing on!. A size 2 is a good starter size!. Alternate your reeds because using the same one always is bad for the reed because it breaks down the wood faster!.
After you have good reeds leave one in a glass of water over night and in the morning place it evenly on the mouthpiece with the ligature screws semi-tight!. Make sure the reed can't move!.
Before you even think about putting the mouthpiece on the neck of the sax, play around with it!. Just blow into it and see how loud and soft you can be!. It's even possible to make the pitch change with your mouth!. After you are comfortable with the mouthpiece, connect it to the neck and the neck to the sax!.
Start with scales and learn easy songs like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!." you can find these in the book you bought or even online!.
I found and I still do that higher notes are easier to play!. Start with a high G which is the top 3 fingers and the octave key, High A which is the top 2 fingers and the octave key and high B which is the 1 top finger and the octave key!. Play around a bit!. You'll really never have to go any lower than low D and no Higher than high D!. For lower notes drop your jaw and they should come out smoothly after a little practice!. Master the high notes first though!. The alto really only has a 3 octave range!.
Remember to have fun and give it a chance!. The reed may feel a little funny at first, but you will get used to it!. Have fun!!!!!
Oh and I pretty much hate the flute too!.!.!.it's dumb!. ha ha :)
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Hey
I play flute!. Its okay we all suck!. Take private lessons, surely somewhere at school or at a music store gives lessons!. Just chill!. It takes time to get good!. If you give up, then there goes another dream!. Please be really committed to working, I run a music store with my uncle and I hate it when ppl give up something becuz they hate practicing or they just hate it completely becuz they think they suck!. I have to say that playing the flute for 5 years was worth it, enter in more contests like Solo and Ensemble or UIL!. It helps too!. Ask your director if they have any advice!. But seriously be committed not becuz it looks cool or you just want to get away from the flute!. =] Have fun!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I play the alto recorder, flute and fife!. All three are EASY! LOL!. anyway!. When you blow on the flute, do not tongue!. Tonguing is when you!.!.!.!.!. Well here is an example of a tongue, you smile and spit!. Or smile and spit with out saliva!. Just dont tongue and that shall help!. And dont blow the crap out of it!. Blow softly and continually!. Best of luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com