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re: Questions for the band geeks
Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:50 pm to Jibbajabba
Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:50 pm to Jibbajabba
1 - The transition from Alto to Tenor Sax is relatively easy if you can handle the weight and airflow requirements for the larger tenor... you don't just need bigger stature, you need bigger lungs.
2 - That said, both are good choices because both are used frequently in Jazz and Rock and Pop music as well as HS/College bands. If you get good at either, you can gig with bands on the side.
Unless you're going into Jazz or professional orchestras later on, something like a Trumpet or Trombone isn't going to do you much good in club and bar bands (unless you're in, say, a Chicago cover band). Both kinds of sax you mention are frequently used in all manner of music.
2 - That said, both are good choices because both are used frequently in Jazz and Rock and Pop music as well as HS/College bands. If you get good at either, you can gig with bands on the side.
Unless you're going into Jazz or professional orchestras later on, something like a Trumpet or Trombone isn't going to do you much good in club and bar bands (unless you're in, say, a Chicago cover band). Both kinds of sax you mention are frequently used in all manner of music.
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Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:53 pm to Abstract Queso Dip
Once she gets a little older get her a fiddle or a banjo or a mandolin. Bluegrass 4 life.
Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:54 pm to Jibbajabba
I started out on trumpet (also guitar, but that had nothing to do with school.) Switched to alto sax, then later switched to tenor sax when jazz band became an option in the 10th grade. The fingering for saxes is all the same, very easy to change. Just have to get used to the different pitch. Never tried playing it as a guy, but she might like the soprano sax if she sticks with it. Think of the sax Kenny G plays that looks more like a clarinet.
I liked tenor because I preferred the pitch and it is much more comfortable to sit back in your chair with the horn part off the outside of your right leg.
Probably better to start on alto though. Absolutely a great instrument to start with.
I liked tenor because I preferred the pitch and it is much more comfortable to sit back in your chair with the horn part off the outside of your right leg.
Probably better to start on alto though. Absolutely a great instrument to start with.
Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:57 pm to dawginar
quote:
The flute is a lot lighter.
I played alto sax in Jr High, and part of High SChool. I was a good sized kid, 2nd year of high school they talked me into playing football. Carrying that thing back and forth everyday was a pain. The case was big enough that it was always in the way in a car, or the bus,and heavy enough that you got tried of carrying it pretty fast. At the time I wished I played trumpet, flute, or clarinet, something in a small case.
Posted on 8/19/22 at 10:58 pm to Jibbajabba
Posted on 8/19/22 at 11:02 pm to Jibbajabba
I don’t know shite about the sax because that is for nerds but to answer #2, no, playing a second/different instrument will not mess up the first/primary
Posted on 8/19/22 at 11:16 pm to Jibbajabba
i almost playex saxaphone.
yes most tenor start on alto.
saxaphone takes skill to master, its easy to start. make her do clarinet
yes most tenor start on alto.
saxaphone takes skill to master, its easy to start. make her do clarinet
Posted on 8/19/22 at 11:40 pm to Jibbajabba
I’m going on my 13th year of teaching band. My father was a band director for over 30 years, and my wife is going on year 8. She is a saxophone player.
Here’s what I’ll offer…
1. Yes. She will need a bit more theory to excel at tenor or bari, but it’s something that is done frequently.
2. Not at all. If anything, her piano theory will help her move faster with learning the alto.
3. A “good” instrument to start with is subjective. I’ve started smart kids, gifted kids, disabled kids, and smartasses. If she WANTS to play that instrument, let her go. Students will typically do better on the instrument they want to play. Not everyone can be quarterback (or a drummer), but what any teacher will look for is excitement and interest.
It’s the director’s job to place students where they will most likely succeed. Most of our beginner students end up on their first choice. Some will change throughout the course of their MS and HS years, but the really passionate ones will learn to play other instruments.
I’d compare this to athletics. If she wants to play the alto and has the support of the director, let her.
Here’s what I’ll offer…
1. Yes. She will need a bit more theory to excel at tenor or bari, but it’s something that is done frequently.
2. Not at all. If anything, her piano theory will help her move faster with learning the alto.
3. A “good” instrument to start with is subjective. I’ve started smart kids, gifted kids, disabled kids, and smartasses. If she WANTS to play that instrument, let her go. Students will typically do better on the instrument they want to play. Not everyone can be quarterback (or a drummer), but what any teacher will look for is excitement and interest.
It’s the director’s job to place students where they will most likely succeed. Most of our beginner students end up on their first choice. Some will change throughout the course of their MS and HS years, but the really passionate ones will learn to play other instruments.
I’d compare this to athletics. If she wants to play the alto and has the support of the director, let her.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 5:32 am to Jibbajabba
All the replies are great. She can transition to the other saxes and also flute, clarinet, bassoon, etc., while starting on sax.
The sax fingerings are the easiest to learn across the woodwinds, as is getting a decent tone.
Her piano training puts her ahead of the curve.
The sax fingerings are the easiest to learn across the woodwinds, as is getting a decent tone.
Her piano training puts her ahead of the curve.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:16 am to Atttaboy
Thanks guys!! All I want for my kids is to be happy and successful. I believe the arts have a big part to play in the both of those. I can’t wait for her to get her instrument!
Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:27 am to Jibbajabba
Give her every opportunity to play whichever instrument she wants. She will become proficient in the ability to read both base and treble which will open up many doors for her if she decides to stick with it. Speaking from experience.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:40 am to Jibbajabba
Once you learn alto it's easy to go smaller with Soprano or larger with Tenor or Bass. Alto is where most sax players start. Like Trumpet is where most brass players start. (Trumpet to baritone is a super easy switch too)
Sax is good. Through personal observations at Mardi Gras I've noticed the clarinet is really falling out of favor.
One thing I like about saxophone though and Trumpet is there are few instruments that transition out of school band.
Sax is good. Through personal observations at Mardi Gras I've noticed the clarinet is really falling out of favor.
One thing I like about saxophone though and Trumpet is there are few instruments that transition out of school band.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:46 am to Jibbajabba
If she has any intention of keeping it up in college with marching band (a long time off), she’s going to have much more fun in brass or drum line.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 7:37 am to Jibbajabba
I can’t believe it. 2 pages and no SpongeBob references 
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Posted on 8/20/22 at 7:47 am to Jibbajabba
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes to Sax, no to flute
2. No
3. Yes to Sax, no to flute
Posted on 8/20/22 at 8:06 am to doliss
quote:
different clef between the higher register and lower register instruments
This isn’t true for saxophones. All saxes are in treble clef. Key fingerings are the same on all saxes as well. The only difference between the variations is that soprano and tenor are in Concert B-flat, alto and baritone are in Concert E-flat. The only effect this difference has in scale memorizations.
I believe the bass sax is Concert C, but those are super rare.
In short, if you can play one sax, you can play them all.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 8:48 am to Jibbajabba
All my kids started in the 5th grade. All the kids play sax or trumpet. Trumpet is one of the easiest to play with french horn being one of the most difficult.
Yes they will be able to adjust to a larger sax.
My son started with piano in third grade and this really helped him be able to read music very well.
Yes they will be able to adjust to a larger sax.
My son started with piano in third grade and this really helped him be able to read music very well.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 9:02 am to Jibbajabba
I didn't blow horns but I played many different stringed instruments. Playing different clefs isn't hard. The hardest part for me was muscle memory between different instruments because finger spacing is different on a violin vs a cello vs a bass. You won't run into that issue the way brass instruments are made. I only kept up with playing Bass guitar in the end, I could probably pick up an upright bass with a little practice though, just need to retune my fingers.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 9:12 am to Jibbajabba
Trumpet player and former band President here.
Yes. It is very possible to transition between saxophones. Many players do it at will.
Absolutely not. If anything it will help her as she picks up other instruments. Reading music is a very universal task and she already knows how to read both Treble and Bass clef
Sure. Why not? There are no bad instruments to start with. Music is a wonderful skill that can last a lifetime.
Although, trumpet players generally have the most fun and are at the center of the band. We are the best, after all.
quote:
Does learning the alto sax eventually allow you to transition to the larger saxophones easily or are they completely different instruments to learn?
Yes. It is very possible to transition between saxophones. Many players do it at will.
quote:
She is already playing piano fairly well and her piano teacher says that she is very gifted. Will learning woodwind music theory screw up her piano theory?
Absolutely not. If anything it will help her as she picks up other instruments. Reading music is a very universal task and she already knows how to read both Treble and Bass clef
quote:
Is the saxaphone a good instrument to start with in school band setting or should she look to the flute or some other instrument?
Sure. Why not? There are no bad instruments to start with. Music is a wonderful skill that can last a lifetime.
Although, trumpet players generally have the most fun and are at the center of the band. We are the best, after all.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 9:23 am to Jibbajabba
I'm no help, but these are some damn strong questions to ask. You sound like a good dad. 
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