A discussion we were having in another thread got me thinking about the age old question...
So what are your thoughts about this? It seems to me that there are lots of possible variables.
I think to some degree it depends on who the player is, what the horn is, and the condition of each.
Let's for a minute assume that the player is a grade school student, and the sax is a leaking Grange student model from around 1976 that needs a rebuild. As a teacher, I would have to say "yes", a better student model sax, in better repair would allow the student to progress into a better player. It could lessen a student's chances of quitting due to frustration, and would most likely allow the student to progress more quickly through the beginning stages of saxophone-playing hell (from a parent's perspective ;-) ).
If, on the other hand, the player is a pro, or a semi-pro, and has a pro model sax, then I'm not so sure if an "upgrade" in saxophones will make the person a better player. In this case the sax is a tool to you, and you're used to your tools. You know exactly how to use them; what they can do; and how they can do it. I remember talking to Jane Bunnett a few years ago at a jazz festival we were both performing at. She and I were both playing Mark VI sopranos. I asked her if she had ever thought of switching to a newer horn. She told me she had play-tested the new Selmers, but didn't have time to relearn how to play a new horn.
When is it time for an upgrade from a student to intermediate or pro horn? What about high school or university students? What about adult students? What about vintage horns? Modern (Mark VI & newer) versus vintage?
I've pontificated enough for one post. How about someone else jump in. I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on all of this.
Will a modern horn make a person a better player? I think that's an interesting question that could use it's own thread. There are lots of angles that we could explore there.
For me, this is the real issue. I could be very happy continuing to work on my playing on the Martin...except for the nagging feeling that I have that I might be better off with a horn with all the advantages/advances of a modern horn with modern (i.e. Selmer style) keywork.
Rory
So what are your thoughts about this? It seems to me that there are lots of possible variables.
I think to some degree it depends on who the player is, what the horn is, and the condition of each.
Let's for a minute assume that the player is a grade school student, and the sax is a leaking Grange student model from around 1976 that needs a rebuild. As a teacher, I would have to say "yes", a better student model sax, in better repair would allow the student to progress into a better player. It could lessen a student's chances of quitting due to frustration, and would most likely allow the student to progress more quickly through the beginning stages of saxophone-playing hell (from a parent's perspective ;-) ).
If, on the other hand, the player is a pro, or a semi-pro, and has a pro model sax, then I'm not so sure if an "upgrade" in saxophones will make the person a better player. In this case the sax is a tool to you, and you're used to your tools. You know exactly how to use them; what they can do; and how they can do it. I remember talking to Jane Bunnett a few years ago at a jazz festival we were both performing at. She and I were both playing Mark VI sopranos. I asked her if she had ever thought of switching to a newer horn. She told me she had play-tested the new Selmers, but didn't have time to relearn how to play a new horn.
When is it time for an upgrade from a student to intermediate or pro horn? What about high school or university students? What about adult students? What about vintage horns? Modern (Mark VI & newer) versus vintage?
I've pontificated enough for one post. How about someone else jump in. I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on all of this.