This evening was the first evening that I have been able to dedicate a goid chunk if time. to practising my saxophone. Prior commitments and feeling unwell had got in the way since I got it a few days ago.
The first few minutes were very squeaky. Sometimes I hit the right note but out came out in different octaves, and other times it was nowhere bear what I was assuming for. It did get a lot better, though, and I have learned a few notes, including a couple with the octave key, and I am getting better at not accidentally pressing a palm key and wondering what was going on...
I am so happy to have bought the saxophone. I feel really elated to have made a little progress and can hardly wait to get back to it. That is really all I am posting this for - to say how pumped I am, but I might just ask a couple of, erm, moisture-related questions. Firstly, it seemed that the reed need to get really wet from playing before it responded well, but is it perhaps just that it became easier because I got used to playing out a bit? I had soaked it in water for fifteen minutes or so before playing, but it seemed to get better when it was drenched in spit. Is that usual, or is it just a matter of everyone being different?
Also, is it normal for the saxophone to drip after playing it for a couple of hours? Whilst playing it, I mean. Perhaps I need to be more mindful of my posture. I think it was coming from the open key holes on the bell. The swab was certainly pretty wet after I finished with it!
Hope that isn't too gross, though I suppose all woodwind players are familiar with spittle...
The first few minutes were very squeaky. Sometimes I hit the right note but out came out in different octaves, and other times it was nowhere bear what I was assuming for. It did get a lot better, though, and I have learned a few notes, including a couple with the octave key, and I am getting better at not accidentally pressing a palm key and wondering what was going on...
I am so happy to have bought the saxophone. I feel really elated to have made a little progress and can hardly wait to get back to it. That is really all I am posting this for - to say how pumped I am, but I might just ask a couple of, erm, moisture-related questions. Firstly, it seemed that the reed need to get really wet from playing before it responded well, but is it perhaps just that it became easier because I got used to playing out a bit? I had soaked it in water for fifteen minutes or so before playing, but it seemed to get better when it was drenched in spit. Is that usual, or is it just a matter of everyone being different?
Also, is it normal for the saxophone to drip after playing it for a couple of hours? Whilst playing it, I mean. Perhaps I need to be more mindful of my posture. I think it was coming from the open key holes on the bell. The swab was certainly pretty wet after I finished with it!
Hope that isn't too gross, though I suppose all woodwind players are familiar with spittle...