View Full Version : WF New People Introductions
I consider myself pretty easygoing and rarely get steamed :P. However, I prefer my broccoli steamed. (Hmmm. That doesn't sound quite right ....)
I may have mentioned that I'm on a low-fat diet (prescribed). I eat a lot of "Healthy Choice" meals. For whatever reason, the vegetable included is usually broccoli. Why not corn? I like corn, too.
Oh. Merlin's our multi-instrumentalist. I don't think there's anything that's considered a woodwind that he hasn't played. And lots of non-woodwinds, too, IIRC.
clarinetist25
04-18-2010, 12:52 AM
I see. I know Kim from Sotw(I'm staying away form there for a while. Apparently they hate me:cry:). Well, they don't hate me, but they dislike me for posting too many threads. By the way, I DON'T plan on posting too many threads here. I'm only gonna post a few. I also know stevesklar. He has responded to a few of my threads on the clarinet forum on SOTW.
Carl H.
04-18-2010, 06:37 AM
Nobody there hates you. Your enthusiasm just wore a few out. Go on back, but maybe hit the reading area a bit more and the create new post area a bit less.
Welcome here - AND - there too.
clarinetist25
04-18-2010, 06:55 PM
I guess I could come back. But definitely NOT now.
saxplayer1004
04-18-2010, 11:25 PM
Carl's right, they don't really hate you, well gary might, but he doesn't really like anyone :geezer2: he's a good guy, just pulling on him if he reads this. They just got frustrated ansewring so many questions so fast, many of which were answered fairly recently.
I don't remember your Username on there, so I can't really give you a good example, and you haven't really done any repetition on this one yet, which is good, but reading thru the SoTW archives can answer a lot of your questions. It's been around a LOT longer than here and has a lot more people, which is both a blessing and a curse for it.
real quick example is your "what constitutes good for you"
quick search of "good musician" on SoTW brings up this thread with the OP being
"Hello to all!
In YOUR opinion, what makes a sax player good? Is it playing fast notes? Good tone? Good improv-ing? Versatility? Technic?:biggrin:"
84 responses, some BS, but a lot of them quality, and was discussed less than 4 months ago. You could bring up said thread with your opinion and it would be perfectly fine. Start a new thread, they get frustrated.
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?127339-What-makes-a-sax-player-good
Same deal with your chair auditions, there's probly 50 threads on there that answer that question.
Most of the people here were/are on SoTW as well and there is a lot of cross-posting going on. One isn't necessarily better than the other, just different. Don't burn the bridges here and you'll be fine. Take a quick hiatus from SoTW and come back posting a few less threads, and you'll be welcomed.
That being said, welcome to both forums, and congrats on being placed that high in the high school's band. Enjoy sitting 3rd, and make sure you learn a lot from both those above AND below you. A lot of times some of the really talented players will take a break and play 2nd or 3rd clarinet parts to work on their lower range and playing more technically challenging parts and counter melodies. Yes sometimes 2nd clarinet can be more technically challenging than first, mainly due to range and harmony fingerings. Same happens in big bands, a lot of times the top players will want the 2nd alto or tenor books to work on playing the funky stuff.
clarinetist25
04-19-2010, 12:15 AM
I see. Gary probably does hate me. That's ok, I don't really like him either:twisted:. I'm just kidding, He seems to be a great trumpet,french horn, flute, and alto sax player. He is also really knowledgeable. (Oh yeah, my name was 25 clarinets, the somewhat enthusiastic, somewhat bored, somewhat mean, somewhat nice, somewhat eccentric, and somewhat schizophrenic clarinet player:grin:;-):-o:-?:shock:).
saxplayer1004
04-19-2010, 01:14 AM
one would hope since he has a DMA. just remember that you're what 14? I'm still a kid at 21 and most of the people, especially on this forum are real adults. When you're posting, try to remember that we don't use abbreviates or l33t or various other acronyms and stuff that people use now. I don't think that's been a problem yet, but keep that in mind.
clarinetist25
04-19-2010, 01:26 AM
one would hope since he has a DMA. just remember that you're what 14? I'm still a kid at 21 and most of the people, especially on this forum are real adults. When you're posting, try to remember that we don't use abbreviates or l33t or various other acronyms and stuff that people use now. I don't think that's been a problem yet, but keep that in mind.
Yes, I'm 14.
one would hope since he has a DMA. just remember that you're what 14? I'm still a kid at 21 and most of the people, especially on this forum are real adults.
Can I be considered a surreal adult? I'd like that.
While it was not our intention, this forum really caters more to the professional end of the spectrum. I've done my best to temper that so we don't, intentionally or not, chase away beginners or other non-professionals.
Additionally, the definition of "professional" means different things to different folks. I was a professional: I was paid to be an assistant to a director and then as a director, for a number of years. One of my tasks just included playing a variety of things. However, I never made my living from just PLAYING. Additionally, I consider myself to be no better than an average sax or clarinet player. Possibly an above average vocalist (when I was singing). In other words, if you're looking for advice on being the next John Coltrane, I'm probably not the one to ask. If you're looking for advice on how to create and work with a music department, I've got some chops, there.
QueensOfWhatever
04-19-2010, 10:47 PM
We are~
*Both announce in unison*
THE QUEENS OF WHATEVER!
There are 2 of us.
Ivy: I'm Ivy!!!
???: not telling you who I am, stalkers.
Ivy: ...Calm down... *stage whisper* We lie to say "whatever"
???: YOU CALM DOWN!
Anyway, we play, among the two of us,
Bass Sax
Bari sax~~♥
Bassoon
Oboe
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST CLARINET!!!!~~~♥~~~
Ivy: Again my friend. Calm DOWN!
that is our introduction.
hope we don't weird you out TOO much
???: Cuz we're weird, if you havent noticed...
we'll try to stay active..
Ivy: BYE!!:biggrin:
WoodwindDoubler
04-25-2010, 05:50 AM
You guys crack me up. It's great to have you on board! You probably won't notice it too much on here, but I too am pretty weird. :o)
martinm
04-25-2010, 11:22 PM
Yeah, me too Kim. And since this is a forum devoted to Woodwinds, and I see you have a section on Pipes, I might be provoked into discussing at length my Great Highland, Irish Uilleann, English Northumbrian, and Lowland bellows Bagpipe making/playing/collecting fetish. :D
A treat for myself and a select group, a threat for others. :twisted:
Are pipes considered woodwinds?
martinm
04-25-2010, 11:24 PM
You guys crack me up. It's great to have you on board! You probably won't notice it too much on here, but I too am pretty weird. :o)
We noticed.
WoodwindDoubler
04-26-2010, 03:35 AM
We noticed.
Excellent!!
Are pipes considered woodwinds?
Yes. We've had some folks post in the "Exotica" (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=188) section about them.
Speaking of pipes, my wife's got a practice chanter around here, somewhere.
Helen
04-27-2010, 03:22 PM
Speaking of pipes, my wife's got a practice chanter around here, somewhere.
Actually, now that you mention that, so do I. I had forgotten about it again. In high school I went through this phase where I was learning everything under the sun, and one of the things I dabbled in was the pipes. That was the instrument I liked the least, and dropped the fastest. I still have the practice chanter and a few reeds buried in the bottom of one of my storage cabinets in my studio. Every once in a while when I'm looking for something--usually a strap for one of my flight cases or something like that that I don't use very often--I find the box containing the chanter and the other paraphernalia.
Ah yes, the 80s... Why do I have Pepsi ads running through my head? :grin:
Three words: Member's Only Jackets.
steen
05-02-2010, 11:59 PM
In high school I went through this phase where I was learning everything under the sun, and one of the things I dabbled in was the pipes. That was the instrument I liked the least, and dropped the fastest.
Bah, at least be honest, you were playing pipes and bass sax, and your parents struck a deal that you could play bass sax if you gave up the pipes. It was between repairs to the foundation of the family house and a law suit with the neighbors, and you parents figured that it was cheaper to have the foundation reinforced with 12 inch steel beams to resist the vibration from the bass sax than paying for lawyers, settlements, etc.
Bah, at least be honest, you were playing pipes and bass sax, and your parents struck a deal that you could play bass sax if you gave up the pipes. It was between repairs to the foundation of the family house and a law suit with the neighbors, and you parents figured that it was cheaper to have the foundation reinforced with 12 inch steel beams to resist the vibration from the bass sax than paying for lawyers, settlements, etc.
Pipes or bass sax? Easy choice.
Helen
05-03-2010, 04:31 PM
Bah, at least be honest, you were playing pipes and bass sax, and your parents struck a deal that you could play bass sax if you gave up the pipes. It was between repairs to the foundation of the family house and a law suit with the neighbors, and you parents figured that it was cheaper to have the foundation reinforced with 12 inch steel beams to resist the vibration from the bass sax than paying for lawyers, settlements, etc.
:lol: That's pretty funny that you figured it out. I thought the family secret was safe. :lol:
Here's what's really ironic: My mom passed away in December, and she was still living in the house that she and my dad built when I was a teenager. It's a beautiful custom home with a great view of one of this region's dormant volcanoes. Later this year most likely, we will be moving into the house... For me, it's still a little too early emotionally.
However, I now own the house with the 12 inch steel reinforcement beams. Look out neighbours! The altissimo practice is coming...Perhaps they'll wish for those pipes after all.... :twisted:
Gandalfe
05-03-2010, 06:20 PM
It's a beautiful custom home with a great view of one of this region's dormant volcanoes.Pictures please, when you feel up to it.
Helen
05-03-2010, 10:09 PM
Oh I've got lots of pics somewhere already of the view. (The question is which of the 3 computers in the house they're in.) We're looking directly at Mt. Baker, which as the crow flies, is about 25 or so miles south-east of us. If it ever blows anything more serious than steam (which it does semi-regularly out of some its side vents) we'll have a ring-side seat. It's a big, white, dominant mountain that I grew up with. I'm so used to it, I don't even notice it anymore. Sad, huh?
I'll post some in an album here and PM you when I've got 'em up.
Gary51
05-04-2010, 11:23 AM
Name is Gary,and just wanted to say hi to everyone. I play alto sax now after a LONG time away from it.Marriage,kids,etc., took center stage for 30 years or so, but now I've picked up the sax again. I can't believe how much I've missed it! Back in the day, I played alto and baritone saxes, also recorder and harmonica, but the alto sax is my first love.
Gandalfe
05-04-2010, 03:31 PM
Welcome and where are you from Gary? The UserCP menu item (below the Logo) can be used to update your profile.
Gary51
05-15-2010, 07:44 PM
Sorry, I'm from Leominster,Massachusetts.
tictactux
05-15-2010, 08:23 PM
Sorry, I'm from Leominster,Massachusetts.
No details, what country?
:smile:
Gandalfe
05-16-2010, 01:41 AM
Naw that works for me. Thanks Gary.
saxplayer1004
05-16-2010, 01:51 AM
ahh good old Leominster.... way too many memories up there
Where I grew up btw.
You just missed a GREAT sax player that passed away last December. You may want to try to get into the community band up there. The DeCicco's run it and they're great people. Barry Hudson is the band director at LHS and he's a great guy too, and one heckuva trumpet player. I don't know a whole lot of other sax players, but if you're looking for just basic get back into it teachers, and don't mind learning from some younger guys, shoot me a PM and I'll give you some contacts up there
Richard Seaman
05-16-2010, 05:46 AM
Welcome Gary, I know what you mean about missing playing. I was away from clarinet and sax for 50 years and am now making up for all that lost time by playing in a number of community concert bands here in Phoenix,AZ. Hope you can locate a group to play with.
Richard
No details, what country?
:smile:
Naw that works for me. Thanks Gary.
We can track you by your IP address. It's accurate to about 8 miles, IIRC.
Be afraid. Be very afraid :P.
BTB, I combined the other "Hello" threads into this one and left a redirect that'll go away in about a week.
Gandalfe
05-17-2010, 03:55 PM
True enough, but for those who don't wanna take the time and are going to answer any questions, knowing where the poster is from can be very handy. Truth be known, I was just wondering if Gary was close enough to place in a local band or group. I now know he probably won't make the commute. ;)
l1sav
06-19-2010, 12:26 PM
Hi all,
Just thought i would say hi.
Im from the UK, i work full time for a charity, but in my spare time play as much music as i can.
My main instrument is Clarinet Bb but i also play Alto Sax, i'm giving the Tenor Sax a go at the mo. I tinkle about on the Flute, can get by on it, but dont give it enough practice as i would like. I play piano (just!!!), and i sing.
I currently play for a Amateur Military Band, we do lots of gigs all year round.
I also dep for a local Big Band when they need me. I have done some pit work on a few musicals local to where i live and a few other concerts.
Would love to do more, time permitting.
My partner is also a trumpet player in the same bands as me.
I have been playing music since a child and i love it so very much.
Would be devestated if i had to stop playing.
Will keep on playing for as long as i possibly can.
Lisa. :o)
Helen
06-19-2010, 06:24 PM
Hello Lisa. Welcome to the Woodwind Forum.
I'm not much of a clarinet player... OK... Not really at all anymore. I used to play bass clarinet years ago. Now I just play saxophone. So if you ever come over to the saxophone portion of the website, you'll find me hanging around there.
So how are you liking the tenor? Do you think it's something you're going to get used to? Or is alto more your saxophone voice?
l1sav
06-19-2010, 08:12 PM
Hello Lisa. Welcome to the Woodwind Forum.
I'm not much of a clarinet player... OK... Not really at all anymore. I used to play bass clarinet years ago. Now I just play saxophone. So if you ever come over to the saxophone portion of the website, you'll find me hanging around there.
So how are you liking the tenor? Do you think it's something you're going to get used to? Or is alto more your saxophone voice?
Hi Helen,
I do really enjoy playing the alto, just dont play it enough i think. The tenor sax............ wow what a noise it makes :o) im still getting used to it, the 1st time i played it, it made me quite light headed and had to stop!! I have been lent a tenor for the time being (luckily) so making the most of it whilst i have it.
Clarinet is my 1st instrument, but i do so love playng the sax.
sarajlim
06-23-2010, 06:41 PM
Hi everyone! My name is Sara, and I'm a new member here! I am the owner of the website http://www.saxtasticsaxophone.webs.com and play alto sax. I love playing my saxophone and hope to learn new things about it on this forum :)
Sara
Helen
06-23-2010, 09:32 PM
Hi Sara. I'm Helen. If you hang out in the sax area of this board, you'll run into me. I'm one of the Content Experts for that area.
I checked out your site, it looks really interesting. I also like your blog. You write really well.
How long have you been playing sax? What are your plans for the summer music-wise to keep your chops up?
2thmechanic
06-28-2010, 05:38 PM
Hello everybody,
I found this forum while doing a google search for some clarinet information, and decided to join. I've been a member of SOTW since 2003.
My musical career started with piano lessons at age 7. When I was 9, I decided that I wanted to play a band instrument, and started clarinet lessons. (This was longer ago than I care to remember, but the lessons were fifty cents for fifteen minutes, and the teacher did the traveling. Reeds were twenty-five cents each...five for a dollar.)
I determined at age fourteen that, if I were going to maximize my musical fun during highschool, I should be playing the saxophone. So, I purchased an alto, took some lessons, and switched over.
At age 22, being at the front end of a new career, and with a wife and new baby, I believed that I needed the $300 that the sax and clarinet sold for more than I needed the instruments. That began a forty year hiatus as a musician.
When I was 62, I was part of a group that put together a 7 piece combo that was loosely connect with a church. I borrowed a tenor sax. We played hymms and praise music, and for our secular endevours, lots of dixieland and old standards. After regaining some passable chops, I joined a community concert band. I'm still very active in both of these groups.
It's nice to be here. I can't think of anybody that I'd rather hang with than musicians.
2thmechanic
Gandalfe
06-28-2010, 06:42 PM
When I was 62, I was part of a group that put together a 7 piece combo that was loosely connect with a church. I borrowed a tenor sax. We played hymms and praise music, and for our secular endevours, lots of dixieland and old standards. After regaining some passable chops, I joined a community concert band. I'm still very active in both of these groups. Welcome. Your story sounds so familiar although I only took a 30-year break from music. I look forward to hearing more about your musical adventures. 8-)
Hey, long time, no see! Enjoy the forum!
Hi, I have arrived (after registering some time ago)
Nice little forum we have here! I like it that the discussions go quite deep and I haven't found too many "what horn does a noob buy" threads.
Me: I'm just a community band hack who's been between gigs for a few years. I do repair work as a hobby and am an aspiring instrument collector. I work full time as a Technical Analyst for fortune 500 company.
Gandalfe
08-06-2010, 04:42 PM
I do repair work as a hobby and am an aspiring instrument collector. I work full time as a Technical Analyst for fortune 500 company.A collector! Well you are amongst friends. What have collected so far? My weirdest stuff includes a Goofus (thanks Helen), Jazzophone (thanks Gary), and a sax bell for a sop clarinet (think alto clarinet bell but smaller). My happiest stuff includes my Eppelsheim soprillo and bass keyed to low A and my Conn F mezzo. You can see most of my collection listed in my blog (link below in sigline).
Also, consider updating your profile so we have a feel for where on this blue marble you reside. 8-)
A collector! Well you are amongst friends. What have collected so far? My weirdest stuff includes a Goofus (thanks Helen), Jazzophone (thanks Gary), and a sax bell for a sop clarinet (think alto clarinet bell but smaller). My happiest stuff includes my Eppelsheim soprillo and bass keyed to low A and my Conn F mezzo. You can see most of my collection listed in my blog (link below in sigline).
Also, consider updating your profile so we have a feel for where on this blue marble you reside. 8-)
thanks for the welcome Gandalfe :)
My collection doesn't exist too much yet: An A880, a Post-Selmer 400 Tenor, and a 95-year old Truetone Bari, along with a brace of discount soprano clarinets and such. Those are my "voices", so I'm not sure i'd designate them as belonging to any real "collection"
Really, it's pathetic....
I'm really trying to come up with a plan to add horns for little money. It'll probably involve an acquiring -> repairing -> selling scheme like I'm sure so many have tried before.
Oh, and I'll get to updating the profile
:)
Gandalfe
08-09-2010, 04:23 PM
Ah Minnesota (Edina and Mankato), my ol' stompin' grounds. That's where I found Suzy, my wife. We're in our 35th year of music and bliss. :O)
SalvinC
09-03-2010, 07:58 AM
:TrebleClef::Space4::Space4::Space4::Line1::Line1::Line1::Line1:Hi everyone, I'm Salvin and I just joined this CrAzY forum. I'm a composer primarily and plan on bombarding you all with my musical ideas. I do play a little clarinet.... yes and I'm 26 and living in Los Angeles, CA. I also like video games and cooking peppers. That's about it. Keep it reeaaall!
SteveSklar
09-03-2010, 08:26 PM
:TrebleClef::Space4::Space4::Space4::Line1::Line1::Line1::Line1:Hi everyone, I'm Salvin and I just joined this CrAzY forum. I'm a composer primarily and plan on bombarding you all with my musical ideas. I do play a little clarinet.... yes and I'm 26 and living in Los Angeles, CA. I also like video games and cooking peppers. That's about it. Keep it reeaaall!
welcome to the forum
and the most important question is ... what kind of peppers ? LOL
SalvinC
09-04-2010, 08:45 AM
Haha. Well, let me tell you, steve; when you're cooking with Salvin, it's bell peppers. They're only simmered because cooking too long can destroy the vitamins. Green, yellow, red, orange. Hey, just like a clarinet bell.:TrebleClef::geezer2:
You cook clarinet bells? Does that improve the tone?
SteveSklar
09-05-2010, 07:49 PM
cooking clarinet bells improves the tone .....
SalvinC
09-05-2010, 08:24 PM
Huh?! Oh. YES no. Well, I don't know much about advanced technique. I'm lucky to get any tone at all. I usually get bubbly spit sounds and then a squeak.
SteveSklar
09-05-2010, 08:31 PM
Huh?! Oh. YES no. Well, I don't know much about advanced technique. I'm lucky to get any tone at all. I usually get bubbly spit sounds and then a squeak.
I was joking about the cooking the bell for a better tone !!
bubbly spit sounds then a squeak ?
SalvinC
09-08-2010, 07:08 AM
AAAAAAAAh! HA. I like these jokes. In return, I will write you a solo clarinet piece. It will be of moderate speed and of moderate difficulty. What would you like the name to be?
Rob Dorsey
09-10-2010, 10:39 PM
Hi All,
My name is Rob Dorsey and my wife Robin and I live in Florence, KY, which is actually a southern suburb of Cincinnati. I am 63 years old and am medically retired from a career as an airline pilot. Robin and I own and operate a small business called ThisOldHorn.com (http://thisoldhorn.com)and we maintain both a website for it and an eBay store under the moniker "thisoldhorn4u". We buy and sell vintage musical instruments particularly saxophones.
I have been in music since the 5th grade when I started playing on trombone. I kept to the trombone through college as a major but was exposed to lots of other instruments. During and after school I played oboe, recorder, guitar, baroque lute and of course, trombone. I started playing tenor sax about two years ago with an emphasis on jazz and now can do ok at a Monday night jam session here in Cincy. Not marvelous but I hold my own.
In 1985 while living in Portland, OR, I studied lute building with the great master Robert Lundberg and then continued to build lutes until the present day. A couple of years ago I turned my talents to saxophone work and today do overhauls and setups on my own horns and certain makes of horn in our shop but not for the public. I love sax repair and I do nice work owing to my lute building background but I am slow, real slow, and would be fired from any commercial shop the first week. I've got a lot to learn and hope this forum will get me in touch with experts who can answer my questions.
I have flown for five airlines and have served as Chief Pilot at DHL Worldwide Airways. I have worked with the NTSB in Washington as a team leader and have worked for Boeing as a consultant. Avocationally I was also President of the International Aerobatic Club. During my career I flew over 22,000 accident free hours and like to say "I never put a scratch on an airplane."
My principal interest in this forum is information on repair and technical work on saxophones.
If you want to chat, email me at RD@ThisOldHorn.com or call (859) 657-6341.
Thanks,
Rob
Bari Sax Guy
09-11-2010, 01:19 AM
Hello,
My name is Glenn G from North Andover MA. After a 35 year hiatus, I realized that 35 years had gone by without picking up my Sax. I started on clarinet in 4th grade and played Bari in Jr. HS, then took up Tenor, buying a new MKVI in 71 (Dad payed for 1/2 - I was 17 years old at the time and made $1.75/ hour).
After HS, I was accepted into the (then) Lowell State College Music Program, but got a degree in accounting at UMass Lowell instead. I got into the insurance claim business, and I have been self-employed for 16 years with a small business that handles homeowner and commercial property claims.
I'm not that good at the sax, but I did learn to transpose into Concert C and play out of the fake book. Back in the 70's (before DJ's) I managed to find some talented guys and we made some money playing weddings, x-mass parties, etc. It was hard to put a band together in those days before the internet and cell phones. (Who remember's the Hulli Gulli?sp?) We even had a regular gig at Dominic's Lounge in Littleton MA on Fri and Sat nights. Dominics is now the Yangse River restaurant.
It took about a year of practice, I would say, to get back to where I had been. I try to practice at least 5 one hour sessions per week, and I am improving, but it does not come easy. I do want to take some lessons and to play in a group.
I am a back up to the Sultans of Sax in Southern Mass and attended Jazz Vermont 2009, 2010. Emilio overhauled the Tenor and it is playing great. I'm back to focusing on Bari, and also the Bass that I acquired last May.
It's a lot of fun.
Gandalfe
09-11-2010, 02:11 AM
Welcome Rob and Glenn. I look forward to hearing and learning from you as you make your way through the site and provide your feedback. Feel free to re-open threads and add your insights. Or start anew with questions or observations. I think you will find this site has a interesting group of musicians with unique senses of humor.
Bari Sax Guy
09-14-2010, 11:56 PM
Thanks Gandalfe!
camellia89
09-15-2010, 04:55 AM
hi all,
My name is camellia from australia
I just want to say hi with you
Hope i have a lot of fun here
Thanks,all
Gandalfe
09-15-2010, 04:57 PM
Hello Camellia, are you a musician? What instruments do you play?
Franklin Liao
09-18-2010, 09:48 PM
Hi. I am Franklin. I found out about this place while looking at people having used Patricola clarinets. I live in Vancouver BC. Nice to meet you all.
My background is in IT, database admin, although I don't currently work in this field... (more like in international business/trade management instead). I have non-existent credential in music..
During my years in high school in early 2000s, I got into band for and played Tuba, but that instrument proved too cumbersome to carry about, so I basically commandeered a Clarinet. I fell in love with it, tuba too, but that's too expensive.
I began to seriously miss playing some kind of instrument 3 years back, so, after procuring yet another horn, I ended up noddling whenever I can and that's all I do with Clarinet.
I do have this bug to try out different horns... maybe I have a bit of a collector mentality I suppose. I am damn lucky and feeling rather idiotic that I live within 20 blocks of Morrie Backun's workshop, yet never realizing this until 2 years ago. Sigh...
I've gone through my share of horns within these years. High school years had me dealt with student Yamaha and an Artley. My first 'serious' splurge was a Bliss, and since then I've owned Amati derived Forte, a CSG and now a Marigaux RS Symphonie. I never did possess any of the Buffet horn for some odd reason. I am not sure why but I really have an interest in the mechanics of woodwind! It's been quite a learning experience for me, moreso in knowing what is this horn than it is with what I can manage to squeak out of a mpc.
Hi, Franklin!
If you're into collecting, now's the time to do it. It's a buyer's market. But that Marigaux ... I've been drooling over TicTacTux's ever since he showed off pictures of the lower joint ....
Franklin Liao
09-19-2010, 06:12 AM
Well, I've talked to Morrie Backun about my Marigaux, and we've had a comparison with the CSGH that I am now in the process of 'liquidating'. Here's to hoping that I can given the Clarinet to a deserving clarinetist instead of dooming it to eternal life with an inept amateur like me.
Basically, Marigaux has adopted oboe tricks in the manufacturing of the instrument in the metal reinforced joint. According to Morrie, Marigaux couldn't help with showing off their heritage and the bell ring, the wood varnish and even the way how the keys are made all tie to this. The clarinet is all hand-made, unlike the CSG or other big box instrument makers' typical pro offerings. These horns are comparable in level of finish to Wurlitzer, Schwenk und Seggelke or Frank Hammerschmidt. One may speculate that some of the RS folks could've migrated to S&S after Marigaux stopped making Clarinets since the M1000 French bore is the closest to the RS Symphonie in keywork approach.
Marigaux is French, so the horn still will have a Buffet-esque silkiness to the response, but ergonomically it is bold. Ben's photos are more than enough to illustrate this. The spectre of Auguste Buffet looms large ultimately with all the Paris conservatory folks, so it's not surprising. In less than 1 hour of playing on my leaky sample, I found more charm than a Tosca in this horn.
Morrie spoke highly of this horn. According to him, only 1 per year on average is seen in his workshop. I felt some familiarity with it and the Backun Symphonie actually in the adjustment screws. Personally, my undeveloped taste in acoustic response between it and the German-esque CSG is a tossup, but the ergonomics and the level of finish won me over hard...
Franklin Liao
09-19-2010, 07:24 AM
I should add that I've only 1 Tosca sample to compare against this horn, so... yes, grain of salt applies.
Illumination
10-06-2010, 02:15 AM
Hello all.
I'm Zack. I'm 16, and I play the clarinet and the cello (clar for wind ensemble, cello for symphonic band). I started on the violin in fourth grade, but eventually switched to cello two years ago because I thought it was manlier :P. I started clar in sixth grade only because there wasn't a string band in middle school. But I fell in love with it also. I hope to major in music ministry (I play piano as well). Well, thanks for reading :D
Clarinet and cello. An interesting mix. How did you get started on that?
Illumination
10-06-2010, 04:04 AM
Mainly by accident. I really didn't know which instrument to pick for middle school since they didn't allow string instruments (lame) so I just kinda randomly picked clarinet and played that in middle school. Before this I was taking violin lessons, and when I got to high school where they had a symphonic band, I traded it in and got a cello. My middle school was the only one without string instruments (I think they have one now though). I probably will drop wind ensemble though, the kids in there are a bunch of annoying marching band robots that just sit and complain about how terrible everyone is and how great they are. I love my clarinet, but these people make it really hard to enjoy music ( no offense to anyone here, of course).
As I was a military brat, I went to five different high schools. None of them had an orchestra -- i.e. no strings -- but had large bands. So, you were pretty lucky to find even one that had strings!
I've loved the cello sound for a very long time. This influenced the way I played baritone sax.
Anyhow, I encourage you to keep playing as much as possible, wherever possible. As Gandalfe will mention, when he drops by, a good alternative is definitely a community band or orchestra!
Gandalfe
10-06-2010, 06:00 PM
I'd luv to know if there is a definitive list of international community bands like the list I point to here (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288). Since Illumination hasn't filled out his profile (using the User CP menu up at the top of the page) I don't really know where he is from. But with his use of the term "ministry" I'm guessing he is from outside of the US.
Illumination
10-06-2010, 08:58 PM
I'm in Georgia actually. So I'm from the states. When I said ministry I meant church/sacred music. Sorry for being ambiguous :P
Gandalfe
10-06-2010, 09:43 PM
I'm in Georgia actually. So I'm from the states. When I said ministry I meant church/sacred music. Sorry for being ambiguous No worries. By knowing where you are we can craft responses and posts that are more meaningful. We have a fair number of folks from, as they might say, 'across the pond'. :)
tictactux
10-06-2010, 10:48 PM
No worries. By knowing where you are we can craft responses and posts that are more meaningful. We have a fair number of folks from, as they might say, 'across the pond'. :)
<waves across the pond> Woohoo!
I'd luv to know if there is a definitive list of international community bands like the list I point to here (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288). Since Illumination hasn't filled out his profile (using the User CP menu up at the top of the page) I don't really know where he is from. But with his use of the term "ministry" I'm guessing he is from outside of the US.
No worries. By knowing where you are we can craft responses and posts that are more meaningful. We have a fair number of folks from, as they might say, 'across the pond'. :)
<waves across the pond> Woohoo!
Don't make me have to come back there. I'll turn this forum around and take you back home!
:P
Just so y'all know, the profile isn't mandatory, but wouldn't it be cool to know you live next door (relatively speaking, at least) to Gandalfe?
Y'know, one of these days we should do a survey of where everyone is. I seem to remember that Google maps had a free app for that.
saxhound
10-07-2010, 02:53 PM
Y'know, one of these days we should do a survey of where everyone is. I seem to remember that Google maps had a free app for that.
I remember someone doing that a few years ago on that "other" forum. IIRC, it was kind of cool, but not very accurate, because you had to click on a map that didn't zoom in very well. Somehow, I ended up in southern Wisconsin. I suspect it is much better now, since I can almost count the shingles on my house with the aerial view.
Chris J
10-07-2010, 04:10 PM
You know - I have only just strolled into this thread and realise I have never introduced myself!
It should not be surprising to hear my name is Chris. I am a GP in UK, though have just returned from a years working sabbatical in Perth, Western Australia, with my family.
Hobbies include photography, competition swimming, skiing, SCUBA diving and relaxing with a book.
I do some instrument repairs for relaxation. I was taught by Stephen Howard, who has recently published the Haynes Manual of Saxophone Maintenance. He was kind enough to mention me in his acknowledgements in the back of the book.
I collect clarinets and saxophones, particularly those made by Couesnon.
Best wishes to all!...
Chris
Gandalfe
10-09-2010, 02:43 AM
Chris, I just figured it was because everyone here knows you. :)
Bebopking
10-09-2010, 06:38 AM
Hi my name is Bobbi. I play the tenor sax and I love it very much. It's all I think about! I played the trumpet for 32 years but switched to the sax 3 years ago and have never looked back. It's the best move I ever made. I play in three big bands and a dixieland group. And when I have time I sit in on jam sessions and blues sessions. To earn money I work on teeth. I'm a registered dental assistant! I live in Spring Valley, Calif. and I LOVE riding my custom motorcycle!!!!
Gandalfe
10-09-2010, 05:19 PM
Bobbie, luv the profile name (mostly because I know the back story). Thanks for takin' me up on the invite. Now, can you get Harri to join? ;)
Bebopking
10-09-2010, 05:57 PM
LOL! Why won't Harri join? He doesn't want to be unfaithful to his other forum?
Gandalfe
10-09-2010, 06:08 PM
LOL! Why won't Harri join? He doesn't want to be unfaithful to his other forum?Actually, that is a good question. Some of his admins are 'Friends of WF' so there really is no reason for him not join.
It'd be fun and interesting!
normrowe
10-18-2010, 06:30 PM
Just joined here and figured I'd better start in this thread. I'm officially "old" now (65) and have been playing since 1956. I started on tuba, added trumpet on the side a couple of years later, then trombone a couple of years after that, and kept on branching out all over the place. Tuba remained my primary instrument until a few years into college when I switched to bass trombone, but by that time I had added clarinet to my "stable" of instruments. Also during my college years flute, saxophone, and recorders became part of the mix and then later on oboe and bassoon. Most of my woodwind performing is on oboe and recorders. I'm in my seventh season as principal oboe with the Curry/Del Norte Orchestra and played oboe with the Memphis Civic Orchestra (2½ seasons as principal oboe - 1987-1990) and several community bands. I still play the Loree I started on in 1986.
Gandalfe
10-18-2010, 09:21 PM
Wecome Norm and wow! I bet you have a lot of stories to tell. 8-)
normrowe
10-18-2010, 09:59 PM
Wecome Norm and wow! I better you have a lot of stories to tell. 8-)
Thanks! Might even be able to come up with a few fish stories!
Musically, it's been a fun ride over the years. Had some good opportunities, played with some great performers, filled in some holes in instrumentation. I've gotten to the point where I can screw up any piece of music in any key at any tempo on any instrument in any clef under any director at any time of the day or night.
I see you're from Seattle. Have a son (fine French horn player) who lives in Federal Way.
I want to be the first to say ...
Noooooorrrmmm!!!
normrowe
10-19-2010, 06:46 AM
Does that mean you're buying my drinks?
Groovekiller
10-19-2010, 07:39 AM
I've gotten to the point where I can screw up any piece of music in any key at any tempo on any instrument in any clef under any director at any time of the day or night.
WOW! The definition of my musical career! Welcome aboard!
Does that mean you're buying my drinks?
Sure, after you send me a ticket to visit you in OR :P.
normrowe
10-23-2010, 12:34 AM
Sure, after you send me a ticket to visit you in OR :P.
Now, over in The Trombone Forum in the Bunker we have a bar. Nobody has to travel anywhere. Guess one of the Admins needs to install one here too.
That brings up an interesting point, Norm.
Gandalfe, Ed and I were all admins or moderators at a website called "Sax on the Web" -- SOTW, for short. We had a "lounge" area there that was devoted to mostly non-saxophone discussion. That was generally the section that required the most moderation.
Now, the Woodwind Forum (WF or WooF, for short) has a different mix of members than does SOTW. However, all three of your admins really don't want to devote all their time to moderating: we'd rather post or do something else music-related.
We do have a general discussion (http://woodwindforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=287) area, where we have some off-topic-ness. We're generally mellow.
My drink of choice is generally Coke in glass bottles. At least, out here in AZ. For points more northern, Pepsi suits. Hey, there is a difference. Really!
normrowe
10-23-2010, 05:48 AM
In the Bunker at TTF we get into friendly discussions about all sorts of things and even though some moderators are frequent posters there, it's extremely rare that one has to deal with a problem. We include a virtual "bar" and people offer to pick up the tab for everybody's drinks (or offer someone else to do it) - especially if someone has achieved some special accomplishment, has a spouse or kid or even grandkid who has - and just have fun. It's light, friendly, and enjoyable. There are other areas - particularly in the political and religion areas - where things get much more testy and I don't go there. I'm there - and here - to meet new friends, learn from them, share with them, and enjoy myself. And hopefully in the process make the forums better places.
normrowe
10-23-2010, 06:13 AM
Howdy!
(I lived in Texas for 7 years; I can say "Howdy".)
Enjoy the forum. My friend with the poo fixation has been confined to a different forum. Don't worry about him. However, some of us do have young kidlets so, the conversations about poo might become inevitable.
We'll try to moderate ourselves :).
Oh. I'd like to see some conversation about penny whistle. Just because. We're talkin' 'bout the same kind Jean-Luc Picard used on Star Trek, right? (OK, OK, less geeky: "We're talking about the instrument used to beautiful effect on such things as The Wexford Carol (http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=kconners&content=station&id=134390)?" I have that on a recording for soprano {voice}, whistle and harp. REALLY nice.)
Well, "Howdy" right back! (I lived in TX for seven years too any our first child was born in Nacogdoches while I was a grad student at Stephen F. Austin State University.)
You mean that penny whistle thing that James Galway plays?
normrowe
10-23-2010, 06:19 AM
My drink of choice is generally Coke in glass bottles. At least, out here in AZ. For points more northern, Pepsi suits. Hey, there is a difference. Really!
I know! In fact, there are differences even within the brands. When I was a grad student at SFASU in Nacogdoches, TX, there was a Coke bottling plant right there in town. There was another one twenty miles away in Lufkin, TX. There was a world of difference between the tastes of the Nacogdoches Coke and the Lufkin Coke! I had a friend who worked in the Lufkin plant and I asked him once why they tasted so different. He said it was the water. They came from different sources and that made them taste different.
SteveSklar
10-28-2010, 04:35 PM
I know! In fact, there are differences even within the brands. When I was a grad student at SFASU in Nacogdoches, TX, there was a Coke bottling plant right there in town. There was another one twenty miles away in Lufkin, TX. There was a world of difference between the tastes of the Nacogdoches Coke and the Lufkin Coke! I had a friend who worked in the Lufkin plant and I asked him once why they tasted so different. He said it was the water. They came from different sources and that made them taste different.
That's odd but it could have been the sugar source. I usually buy mexican sodas which use sugar (which includes Mex made Coke, etc). American sodas use corn syrup.
I normally just buy Jarritos around here though :)
Semiconductor
12-30-2010, 07:45 PM
Howdy, all. I'm a clarinetist and HS band director by training. Just to show how these things go, Bb is out the window due to hand problems (I'm playing bass and contra nowadays), and burned out on teaching school so now I just direct a community band. I'm also training in the Ninja art of instrument repair, and trying to learn some more about saxes to help with that. To all sax players: you people are nuts. Could we just have the maker of the horn and where it was made written on the thing? Is that too much to ask??
Gandalfe
12-30-2010, 08:24 PM
To all sax players: you people are nuts. Could we just have the maker of the horn and where it was made written on the thing? Is that too much to ask??Welcome and *I* know you! 8-) Yes, it is asking too much... apparently. Can we just say Asia? ;)
Hmm. I played bari sax and contrabass clarinet. Does that make me more nuts or less nuts? (And we have people here that play contrabass sax and contrabass clarinet.)
Semiconductor
01-01-2011, 05:45 AM
I suppose I should clarify: we is all kind of nuts, each of us just in our own special way.
oregrif
01-08-2011, 08:29 PM
Hello everyone - my name is Dave and I live in the Portland, OR area. I am 58 and am primarily a flute player (Miyazawa's with Drelinger and Howell Roberts headjoints, Gemeinhardt Alto flute) but have recently (2.5 years)started working on saxes as well (1959 Buescher Super 400 tenor with Warburton Link STM NY mpc, 1957 Buescher 141 alto with modern Link STM, Couf Superba 2 soprano with either Yani metal or Selmer Super Session mpc).
I actually started on tonette in 4th grade and then played trumpet through high school but switched my focus to flute in 1970. Other than school band I am self taught.
I have played with a co-worker for the past 12 years (flute/guitar brazilian influenced material) and we have a cd available from cdbaby under the name Voxanova. I also have one of my original tunes on reverbnation under the name David Griffith if anyone is interested. I have been laid off for over a year, which has actually been a good thing as far as practice time goes - the chops are starting to come together on the saxes to the point where I am playing with a couple of jazz pickup groups as the opportunities present themselves. It's great to be playing again although I still have a long way to go, especially when it comes to reading and theory. Too many years of playing by ear is hard to overcome http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif
I have been addicted to SOTW for several years and am now looking forward to learning from this site as well - many familiar 'faces' here. Thanks to all for sharing your wisdom - maybe I can add some value over time as well.
Gandalfe
01-08-2011, 08:33 PM
Welcome Dave. We have at least one other fellow from Portland and surrounds on this forum. Feel free to complete your profile in the 'User CP' above.
abadcliche
01-12-2011, 04:59 PM
HAY GUISE!
My name is Matt Stohrer and I am a repairman residing in the wilds of Raleigh, NC. Previous to this and my desire for a yard I was saxophone specializing in Brooklyn, NY. I learned my trade on 48th St. in Manhattan working for Sam Ash Music, whom I also work for here in Raleigh.
My websites are:
www.stohrermusic.com (in awful shape now, reaaaallly need to update it)
www.mattstohrer.com (trying out the whole blogging thing)
My facebook is www.facebook.com/mstohrer
I have been on SOTW for a while, with the same member name.
Besides repair (particularly saxophone, particularly vintage) I am interested in working on my old diesel cars (a 1983 benz probably destined for the scrap heap and a 1979 VW rabbit that looks awesome in yellow), building things, DIY, technology.
Oh, and this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3347071779_de14e90296.jpg
Interesting factoids about me:
-been in a Viet Cong tunnel in Vietnam while visiting a sax factory
-worked in Bermuda for a month fixing instruments for the Ministry of Education and had to carry around a letter that said "On Her Majesty's Service", which was super awesome because my favorite James Bond movie is On Her Majesty's Secret Service
-worked in Times Square for 5 years- oy vey
-almost exactly one year ago today was in an actual TV commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXzBhK6s-rE), got an invitation to join SAG and everything
-wants to be one of those old guys who can whistle super well, and all the kids in the neighborhood will be like "omg! there goes Whistlestorm!" when they see me roll by in my 47hp diesel VW
I look forward to hanging out with the cool kids here on Woodwind Forum!!
Gandalfe
01-12-2011, 05:07 PM
Thanks for the intro Matt. Most new members take months to find this thread. I look forward to hearing what you think about Randy's VibratoSax that you get to see today. Welcome an cheers!
PrincessJ
01-12-2011, 06:23 PM
Greetings, Earthlings!
I play (breathe, sleep, eat, dream, etc) the Clarinet, Sopranos and a bass.
(I'm also a didgeridoo player, we'll get to that later.)
I compose music, and have been playing piano for longer than you need to know right now.
I started playing in an usual way, I spotted a beautiful horn in an antique shop (Noblet Paris 27 all wood in fabulous condition, 1972), and have been helplessly sucked deep in to the wormhole leading to Clarinetland.
Glad to be a member here, I hope you look forward to putting up with me. :geek:
SteveSklar
01-12-2011, 06:44 PM
..... I spotted a beautiful horn in an antique shop (Noblet Paris 27 all wood in fabulous condition, 1972), and have been helplessly sucked deep in to the wormhole leading to Clarinetland.
Glad to be a member here, I hope you look forward to putting up with me. :geek:
you do know the old term for a clarinet .. a licorice stick. Unfortunately if clarinets are anything like licorice then you can't just stop at one !!
Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy your stay here !!
you do know the old term for a clarinet .. a licorice stick. Unfortunately if clarinets are anything like licorice then you can't just stop at one !!
Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy your stay here !!
I'm a bass and don't care for licorice. What does that make me?
Enjoy the forum!
SteveSklar
01-19-2011, 08:29 PM
I'm a bass and don't care for licorice. What does that make me?
Enjoy the forum!
broccoli :p
Gandalfe
01-19-2011, 09:42 PM
Greetings, Earthlings!Welcome. It's nice to have a new member who actually enters the fray.
PrincessJ
01-20-2011, 01:22 PM
broccoli :p
I just finished a nice big bowl of it several minutes ago. Should I start running?
Trevor
01-28-2011, 12:01 AM
Hey everyone!
i'm Trevor, 15 years old and I'm a freshman in High School. Music is everything to me. Clarinet is my life and my main instrument. I also play saxes, recorder and oboe. I participate in the local community band (concert and march) and I do any extra music activities I can do. From 6-8th grade, I participated in the local district band and county wide honors band. First year, I got 5th chair out of 20 or so others. The next two years I was first chair clarinet. My 8th grade year I won a scholarship savings bond through the honors band for being the best musician in my county band. This year in high school honors, I competed against mainy juniors, seniors and a few sophmores. I worked very hard to try try to get myself INTO the band. Well, let's just say I kicked @$5 :D I got 8th chair out of the 18 they picked from the 35 that auditioned. I felt extremely grateful that I made it in. I even beat the first chair clarinet (a senior) of my school :) Other then the community band, I also play in the schools Pep band (its like a marching band, but we don't march) and the pit orchestra for the school's musical. This year's play is Thoroughly Modern Millie where I'm playing clarinet and oboe. Sorry for the long message, but I'm just super excited to be here!!!!
Trevor
Gandalfe
01-28-2011, 12:31 AM
Welcome Trevor. Here's hoping that you never lose your luv for making music. 8-)
Phil Barone
02-03-2011, 03:20 AM
Hi everyone!
Well it seems that I already know a couple of you, Kim and Al. Great to hear you're alive and well Al even if your health isn't cooperating. I make mouthpieces from scratch for saxophones and do custom mouthpiece work since 1982. I also make necks in several different materials. I also import horns from Taiwan and believe me, they are great and parts are available contrary to what's been written here.
Please feel free to contact me for anything at all. Phil Barone
Carl H.
02-03-2011, 03:59 AM
Welcome, uncle Phil.:geezer2:
Phil Barone
02-03-2011, 04:06 AM
Welcome, uncle Phil.:geezer2:
Thanks Carl! Phil
SteveSklar
02-03-2011, 01:45 PM
Welcome Phil
I've enjoyed your posts on other forums (such as the sax mpc double lip embouchure one), and have enjoyed watching you grow your sax business from when you first started, and your mpc business. I still want to get one of your gold plated sopranos (and baris) and tenor ... but priorities tend to get into the way ...
welcome to the board
Carl H.
02-03-2011, 05:27 PM
Maybe now we can get some decent recipe threads going!
Phil Barone
02-03-2011, 08:21 PM
Welcome Phil
I've enjoyed your posts on other forums (such as the sax mpc double lip embouchure one), and have enjoyed watching you grow your sax business from when you first started, and your mpc business. I still want to get one of your gold plated sopranos (and baris) and tenor ... but priorities tend to get into the way ...
welcome to the board
Thanks Steve! I think we spoke once, right? Phil
SteveSklar
02-04-2011, 04:54 PM
Thanks Steve! I think we spoke once, right? Phil
Yes we have, back when you first came out with your saxes and I thought I might have enough to get one of your gold plated sopranos.
I'm still trying to save up for one !!
hobbyguy
02-18-2011, 05:56 PM
Hi, everybody! I'm doing this for my son who's in fourth grade and a friend who's been playing over 40 years. My friend also does repairs and overhauls on saxes, flutes and clarinets.
My name is Bernie Herbst and I think I may try to play as my friend Jack gave me a Cundy-Bettoney Cadet to strip and clean and rebuild, then to learn to play. I'm an older dad and love all kinds of music, I play guitar and piano.
I look forward to getting my friend to join as well and reading everything you all post about woodwinds so I may learn more.
Hi.
As a beginning clarinetist, I thought it'd be a good idea to find a forum of my peers and the more experienced for conversation, advice and the general companionship of like minds.
Hopefully you all have a good sense of humour as I do tend to exercise mine a lot - and in between, I may even talk about playing the clarinet. :tongue:
I'm an adult female from Scotland (although living in England right now) and I've always loved the sound of the "liquorice stick" so decided to try it for myself. So, I wheedled a second hand (but recently refurbished) Buffet B12 out of the manthing for my last birthday, got some tutor books and new reeds and I'm enjoying myself enormously.
I look forward to our future conversations, quips, anecdotes and general bonhomie. :smile:
tictactux
05-24-2011, 05:14 PM
Nice signature. 8-)
(I once (before I got married) talked with a friend about that I was thinking of buying my one-and-only a ring but I didn't know the size, to which she replied "a ring cannot ever be too big.")
Gandalfe
05-24-2011, 07:23 PM
Hey Cat, nice to meet you. Are you playing with a band or ensemble? What kind of music do you prefer to perform?
Thanks for the welcome. :)
Nice signature. 8-)
(I once (before I got married) talked with a friend about that I was thinking of buying my one-and-only a ring but I didn't know the size, to which she replied "a ring cannot ever be too big.")
...and lo, another man is initiated into the mysteries of the female mind... :biggrin:
Hey Cat, nice to meet you. Are you playing with a band or ensemble? What kind of music do you prefer to perform?
Oh, nowhere near good enough to play with anyone yet! At least, I don't think so.
Preferences... anything that sounds good, really. I've a very eclectic taste in music and will listen to just about anything and I suppose that goes for playing too.
No doubt when I improve, I'll find my niche and my preferences of what to play - right now, if it sounds good and I think I can play it, that'll do me!
Brian
05-29-2011, 05:14 PM
I didn't even notice this thread was here! :p
Anywho, I'm Brian, a kid from New York who had just recently began clarinet last October. My only previous experience in music to this is quite a few years of playing percussion for the school band. However I took music theory this year which has helped a ton in clarinet; especially with scales! (I know all my Major and Minor scales, and most of my modes:P)
Anyways, it's nice to meet you guys!
JackL
07-10-2011, 04:34 AM
Hi, everyone.
I'm in the process of returning to woodwinds after an absence of 30-odd years. :geezer2: I started on clarinet in 6th grade, added tenor sax and bass clarinet in fairly short order, and continued to play tenor sax for a couple of local gospel(-ish) bands throughout most of high school although various circumstances required me to withdraw from school band.
Somewhere along the line I discovered guitar, which derailed everything else for a while. I currently play guitar, electric bass, ukulele (yes, really), organ, and piano, as well as faking it reasonably well on mandolin and banjo. Recently I decided to pick up sax again, and am currently shopping for an alto that's both decent and affordable. I've found a local music store in West Palm Beach, FL that seems decent, and will probably wind up dealing with them.
At this point I have many more questions than answers, but after reading through a few threads on this message board I decided to go ahead and register anyway. I look forward to participating in this board, and hope that I can contribute to the occasional discussion here.
Gandalfe
07-10-2011, 03:09 PM
Welcome Jack. I send my returning musicians who don't prefer used instruments to Kessler Music (http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/sax/alto.html). Many of these folks have played the Kessler Custom for years from Bari to alto. It's just too easy to buy a lessor instrument for more money.
Will you be taking lessons?
JackL
07-10-2011, 09:54 PM
Thanks, Gandalfe. Kessler are on my short list, and their Custom horns do seem to be a superb value. I might have to get rather creative with shipping methods if I go that route (can't get UPS/FedEx at my primary residence). However, it'll probably be a few weeks before I can feasibly whip out the MasterCard on this, so that gives me some temporal wiggle room for making delivery arrangements.
In the meantime at least I've got some books on the way, including Larry Teals Art of Saxophone Playing and Klose's 25 Daily Exercises, although the latter may be a little over my head for right now.
Access to regular instruction is tricky here. Unless I can find a teacher in Nassau who's available on Saturdays, I'll have to look for one in South Florida who can tolerate a student who can only make it in once every 3 or 4 weeks (presumably for a marathon session!). Fortunately, having some background in woodwinds and being fairly self-motivated might help mitigate my transportation and logistics issues to some extent. I'm all ears if anyone has any suggestions.
Or anyway, suggestions other than "forget it". I really don't see that as an option. :D
SOTSDO
07-10-2011, 11:01 PM
...I would not go the marathon route on lessons. The typical half hour session is good for instilling one or two principles, reviewing your progress over the inter-lesson period, and applying corrective measures.
Especially when restarting on an instrument, too much at once is - well - just too much.
And, don't be afraid to slow things down the first time through an exercise. Trying to play everything you encounter at mm = 160 is a sure route to frustration. Slow them down until you get to the point that your fingers can make the moves with facility. Once you reach that point, jack up the metronome three or four points and run them again.
JackL
07-12-2011, 01:44 AM
Points well taken; thank you.
catty
07-31-2011, 07:10 PM
Greetings. I'm 50 y.o. work-at-home dad in Missoula, MT
Started on sax at age 8...quit after acquiring an electric guitar a few years later. Play all stringed instruments in all styles including classical and flamenco guitar (although I recently gave this up after some 35 years as I never practiced anymore, and I no longer enjoyed embarassing myself playing out in public with rusty chops); took up folk music--Irish, scandinavian, cajun and other American folk style fiddle; mandolins of all sizes; banjos of all styles (love that ragtime especially--on both 4 & 5 string); have played pedal steel, lap, saz, oud, and anything else I've come across (taking the David Lindley approach--whereby after guitar anything/everything with strings seems just a version of it...); some concertina (mostly anglo); diatonic button accordian (mostly two-row); some keys (reggae band); bass and drums. Was gigging quite a bit in several bands--mostly bass and drums. But, now that I'm old, I don't enjoy playing in clubs anymore. Maybe if I were single. Yes, definitely, if I were single....
And after some 40 years, I decided to blow on a sax again, and it's one of those things like riding a bicycle I guess--felt very natural. Formerly, everything I played on sax in school was scored; now, after 40 years of musicianship, everything is ear. What a blues instrument! This is extremely gratifying. It seems so natural--like singing.
Desiring to shed my nylon string guitars so I wouldn't be tempted to keep dabbling, I traded them for a Conn 10M. But since acquiring a nice little student wooden clarinet, I've really taken to that. I picked up a pristine Selmer series 9 bass at a pawn shop for an absurdly low price, and now all I do is listen to Mingus records.
I love High-life and music in the Kuti style. Love to play my bcl along to this. I want a bari sax...when I can find one, I'll throw the rest of my guitars and stuff at it...
Gandalfe
07-31-2011, 09:28 PM
Welcome to the Woodwind Forum Catty. There is a lot of great topics to mine from the last few years. Getting through the ones you are interested in should be a labor of luv and very educational.
catty
07-31-2011, 10:12 PM
Thank you. Yes, I went through 30-some pages of back clarinet pages on sotw. Learned a lot.
Hello! Thanks for adding me!
I have loved music all of my life... I remember spending a lot of time at the local music lesson place between me and older sister. I began playing piano when I was about 9 or 10, though I gave up lessons after just about 4 years when I started high school. I begin playing the clarinet in 6th grade, and since our marching band schedule and my academic goals didn't always agree, something just had to go. I still have my (not recently) tuned piano, and play from time to time.
Now 16 years after high school, I am pulling out my clarinet again. I have played from time to time, usually at least a couple times a year. I've been struggling to achieve that work/life balance we all strive to find, and the other day I came home from work and the only thing I wanted to do was pull out my clarinet! As soon as I started playing, I felt every ounce of stress dissolve.
My husband surprised me with a clarinet overhaul last year for my birthday to get my clarinet back in working order, so it's ready for action!
I was always 1st chair in marching band, concert band, and pep band, and participated in All-County, All-District, and All-State concert bands. I also performed yearly in the Solo and Ensemble events, although to be honest, I really hated that! I prefer to be part of a bigger group, concert band was always my favorite, as the music was challenging and required the band members to work together to create the piece.
I was looking through some old folders today and found my senior year solo for the Solo and Ensemble. "Sonata in B Flat Major" by Johann Baptist Wanhal. I also found my score sheet - I received a 2 (1-5 scoring system, 1 being a "perfect" performance). It was interesting so see the judges comments on areas I needed to work on... those were trends for me, namely breath support for longer phrases, projection of sound, and dynamic phrasing. I suppose those will be key areas to focus on as i start back ;)
So does anyone have any suggestions on how to get back into the groove? At best, now, I'm mediocre.... and I strive to reclaim my once awesome love for the clarinet. My action plan is to spend the next few months brushing up on technique and then join my local community band.
Hope to get to know everyone here!
Gandalfe
08-27-2011, 09:41 PM
Welcome Kris.
When I returned to music after a ~30 year break within a year I joined a community band. That's when I really started getting serious about fixing my weaker points in music performance. And it was a great way to network with like-minded musicians. You can read more about community bands here (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=372).
I was looking through some old folders today and found my senior year solo for the Solo and Ensemble. "Sonata in B Flat Major" by Johann Baptist Wanhal. I also found my score sheet - I received a 2 (1-5 scoring system, 1 being a "perfect" performance). It was interesting so see the judges comments on areas I needed to work on... those were trends for me, namely breath support for longer phrases, projection of sound, and dynamic phrasing. I suppose those will be key areas to focus on as i start back ;)
I seem to remember the comments on my last audition were something like, "Great tone. Needs to play faster. Work on sight-singing." :D
FireandAir
08-29-2011, 10:15 PM
Greetings to all from an absolute, utter, and untrammeled wind newbie. I quite literally haven't the damnedest clue what I'm doing, so it should be fun. :-)
I've played piano since I was Very Wee Indeed, almost all classical, and currently play and write, and decently I think. I've been playing viola for a bit although as a beginner I'm of course quite bad at it. It was attractive to me to try a non-ET instrument and a portable one besides, and to me a viola is like a violin that sounds like the illegitimate love child of Steve Perry and Aretha Franklin, so who wouldn't love it?
However, I was also interested in an even more portable instrument that I could travel easily with and that wouldn't get me sniffed by bomb dogs and sent through the porno scanner at the airport (unlike the travel viola I just ordered), and where I might only have to moderately murder myself just to learn to get it not to moo at me. I heard a YouTube recording of a tenor recorder and liked the sound much better than the thing I played as a freshman in high school, and since I have big hands already, I figured I'd give it a go.
Well, it's only literally just come in the mail, and I have yet to put it together and give it a go. I have never before in my life played Sumpin Whut Gits Blowed Inta, so this should be interesting for me. Maybe not so much for my neighbors, who already suffer through my beginner string playing. It's a pity that the piano is the one I can actually play decently, but it's also the one that comes with headphones!
Anyhow, I love classical music of all eras, opera (especially Baroque), and stadium rock. I've done some work and am planning to do more on arranging my favorite Haendel arias for piano and solo instrument, mostly violin and viola. Maybe I can post the sheet for any wind instruments that can play in those ranges.
Anyhow, happy to be here and sorry for the long ramble. I have a whooooooooooooooooole lot to learn about this thing. I'm still sort of getting used to the idea of having to clean spit out of an instrument. o_O Any recommendations on good tenor recorder method books will be gratefully accepted.
Gandalfe
09-02-2011, 11:32 PM
Welcome and remember, it isn't spit; it's condensation. ;)
Welcome and remember, it isn't spit; it's condensation. ;)
Need a "LIKE" button here.....
catty
09-03-2011, 01:36 AM
However, I was also interested in an even more portable instrument that I could travel easily with
Greetings
I've experimented with instruments most of my life. Portability was always something that appealed to me--partly I think because most of my gigging is with drums and doublebass, and I also have this image of busking for a living when either Yellowstone or the economy (or both) completely blow.. I always considered three instruments to be superior in this regard: fiddle and mandolin (carried together in a double-case); english concertina; flute...for their chromaticism and sonic potential in small packages. Well, I eventually gave up english concertina--even though I think it's one of the most elegant instruments--as I could never quite get on with the alternating hands fingering layout, so I still play a bit of anglo concertina (and button accordians). When I travel for leisure I always carry the fiddle/mando double-case. I sometimes carry a second bag with a concertina and a diatonic button accordian. Now, since recently returning to ww, I might pack a flute and cl together too.
catty
09-03-2011, 02:02 AM
Greetings to all from an absolute, utter, and untrammeled wind newbie.
Oh, and...prepare to be trammeled :twisted:
kr236rk
11-13-2011, 04:10 PM
Hi there,
Considering investing in a student soprano sax - am new to woodwind.
Thanks for ok-ing my forum application!
Ric
:TrebleClef:
Helen
11-13-2011, 05:21 PM
Hi there,
Considering investing in a student soprano sax - am new to woodwind.
Thanks for ok-ing my forum application!
Ric
:TrebleClef:
Welcome to the WF Ric. Nice to have you aboard.
I take it by your post that you have never played any woodwind before? No clarinet, flute, oboe, etc. in your background? The reason I ask, is because soprano saxophone is not necessarily the easiest saxophone to learn to play on.
Soprano saxophones are finicky little creatures, that require a fair amount of embouchure control. Also, there are a great many brands of student models horns that are absolute junk. These junky horns--that I like to call POC horns--many times are badly built and are not capable of playing in tune. That's why when buying a student model soprano--especially as a beginner--I strongly suggest that you work with a good teacher to help you get started the right way. I used to work with new students all the time, before they started to play, and helped them get a good saxophone.
If you don't have access to a saxophone instructor, or really do want to go this alone, I strongly encourage you to go with a company like Kessler Music (http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/saxophone.html). Dave Kessler is a member of this forum, and is a really stand-up guy. He will help you get the sax you want, and make sure that what you're getting is a quality item. Yes, you will spend a few more dollars for a student model Kessler brand horn than you would for a POC horn off eBay, or a no-name dealer, but Dave stands behind his products. And if on the off-chance there ever is a problem with a horn he sells you, they will make it right. Oh, I should mention, Kessler also sells other brands as well, so you don't necessarily have to get a Kessler-branded horn. All the horns they sell go through their shop before going out to the customer however. This is an important step, and something that doesn't happen if you buy one of those cheap eBay horns.
Hope has been somewhat helpful. What do you think? If you want more info, feel free post under the appropriate section here, or you can PM me if you like.
Again, welcome Ric. I hope you enjoy the WF.
kr236rk
11-13-2011, 07:48 PM
Welcome to the WF Ric. Nice to have you aboard ... Again, welcome Ric. I hope you enjoy the WF.
Thanks Helen,
Unfortunately soprano sax is the only woodwind which appeals to me. Have never recovered from listening to Terry Riley & John Cale's album 'Church of Anthrax' - and it all stems from there.
The student brand I have my eye on is Elkhart and not from the Bay either. Am in touch with a good tutor, just getting up the nerve to purchase the horn.
Spent some time experimenting with an Amerindian flute so am not completely unused to wind instruments.
Thanks again,
Ric
Helen
11-13-2011, 11:01 PM
I'm guessing you're in the UK. Am I right? Either way, I take it that you've read Stephen Howard's review of the Elkhart alto (http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/ElkhartSII_alto.htm). It may or may not be applicable, depending if the company gets all their horns (S,A,T,B) stencilled by the same manufacturer. None the less, Stephen Howard's reviews are actually very comprehensive (http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Sop/Soprano_sax_reviews.htm), and always a good place to start.
kr236rk
11-14-2011, 12:00 PM
I'm guessing you're in the UK. Am I right? Either way, I take it that you've read Stephen Howard's review of the Elkhart alto (http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/ElkhartSII_alto.htm). It may or may not be applicable, depending if the company gets all their horns (S,A,T,B) stencilled by the same manufacturer...
Thanks Helen,
Yes I am in the UK - the Elkhart looks okay for a beginner I guess. Am hoping my tutor will also be able to identify any potential problems with the new horn.
I would start by fitting a Yamaha mouthpiece anyway.
Will update :)
Ric
Helen
11-14-2011, 06:11 PM
It sounds like you're on the right track Ric. Good luck with the new horn and mouthpiece. Yes, do update us and let us know how things are going for you.
Best,
Helen
kr236rk
11-14-2011, 11:16 PM
It sounds like you're on the right track Ric. Good luck with the new horn and mouthpiece. Yes, do update us and let us know how things are going for you.
Best,
Helen
Thanks Helen ;)
Ric
Clarinet-Aaron
12-06-2011, 08:31 PM
Hello forum,
My name is Aaron Adams. I play the clarinet. I've been playing for over seven years, starting in the sixth grade. I am currently a Freshman at Warner University studying Music Ministry. I've been reading this forum as a non-member for about a week now, and thought the information on it seemed good and so I decided to join so I could ask my own questions as I get them. I've never had clarinet lessons before, and have been looking for some, but my college doesn't offer any and it's been hard to find in the lake wales area. I play a Yamaha 250 clarinet with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and Vandoren V-12 reeds with a leather(Like?) ligature.
I'm excited to be here, thanks for having me!
-Prayer Warrior
Aaron Adams
Gandalfe
12-06-2011, 09:29 PM
Welcome to the Woodwind forum Aaron. I look forward to hearing more about the Warner curriculum.
knuxie46
12-17-2011, 09:03 AM
Holiday Greetings!
I'm a composer from the great state of Texas. Thirty years ago, I started out writing for low brass (euphonium and tuba). In the last 10-15 years, many of my tuba friends have married woodwind players and have commissioned works of me for them and their mates. Thus, here I am, looking forward to future conversations with new friends in the music world.
BTW, I am so glad there is an active forum for woodwinds. I had wondered if tuba, trombone, and trumpet were the only ones with such. I hope it continues to thrive as the others have.
In music,
Ken Friedrich
www.kfsbrasschamber.com (http://www.kfsbrasschamber.com)
BadAx Cases
01-01-2012, 01:05 AM
Hi all,
My name is Russ Arnold, and my woodwind life began on alto sax in 1981. I played through high school and college (Brigham Young University), although I didn't major in music. I was able to study for a while under Ray Smith who heads up the jazz programs there, and it was an amazing experience.
I continued playing after college in some local groups (mostly jazz bands) until family responsibilities took priority. I'm currently playing lead tenor in the Dean Clark big band, but it's only a twice-a-year gig. Hopefully as the kids get older I'll be able to start playing more. I do have a son who started on sax a few years ago, so we have a good time playing together.
My horns:
Alto: Back in the late '80s I found a Selmer Balance Action alto (1937) and picked it up for only $350! It only needed a repad, and has been a great horn ever since. I primarily use an Ernie Northway custom mp, and have a Claude Lakey 6* and a Rousseau classical mp as well.
Tenor: About 10 years ago I picked up an awesome tenor (B&S Northway stencil), and have really loved playing that horn. Also use a Northway mp on tenor.
Clarinet: For Christmas I found a good deal on a Selmer Series 9, and have been loving it! I've not spent a lot of time on clarinet up til now, but it has been fun learning the ropes. I have a Borbeck #13 mp that I really like, as well as a Vandoren M15.
Look forward to sharing and learning on the forum.
Gandalfe
01-01-2012, 01:31 AM
Welcome Ken and BadAx. Hope to hear more from y'all.
Woosax
01-02-2012, 06:44 PM
Hi Folks,
I've been a SOTW member for a few years now and just found the WF. I play alto and tenor sax with a little flute now and then. Most of my playing time is spent in a duo with my brother (percissionist) and backing tracks. My day gig is a college professor in Psychology and Neuroscience.
-John
Gandalfe
01-03-2012, 01:49 AM
Welcome John. What genre music do you prefer to play?
Woosax
01-03-2012, 12:24 PM
We cover a pretty wide range of material including cliche standards, pop, rock, blues, and even some (gulp) country. We do mostly pub/restaurant/bar gigs with some corporate/private parties. We are currently working up some more jazz standards/Sinatra type stuff to book some more formal gigs.
gjohnny
01-10-2012, 08:15 PM
Happy New Year!
I'm a starting sax player from Finland, having only played since August. For about 8 years my main instrument has been the trombone, and recently, with an increasing interest in everything musical, I've expanded to guitar, a bit of piano and bass and most recently, the alto saxophone. I play trombone and sax in a starting rock band and trombone in several student orchestras.
During the days I'm a student at the Finnish version of a high school.
It's good to be a member of this forum and I look forward to gaining a lot of knowledge on the sax, mostly, but also other stuff :)
-Pauli
tictactux
01-10-2012, 10:22 PM
Hei Pauli,
welcome aboard. Nice to have a doubler more in here. Enjoy!
aliveinspirit
01-20-2012, 07:16 AM
Hello. I happened to run across this forum while I was researching some things related to my clarinet. I started playing sometime around 8-9 years old through my freshman year in college. Played off and on and after about 20 or so years started playing again in my church orchestra and now in a volunteer civic orchestra. I also own an alto saxophone which I rarely pick up anymore.
Gandalfe
01-20-2012, 03:23 PM
Welcome to our forum. I look forward seeing some of your posts. Where are you from?
MaryS
01-20-2012, 07:44 PM
Hi Everyone!
I am an alto sax player since 2002...middle age who now has time to play and learn more. (Yamaha YAS-23)
I love smooth jazz, fusion, funk. especially Dave Koz, Boney James, Eric Marienthal and many others.
I am looking locally in CT for a music theory class to learn the basics, ear training, changing up keys etc....all the local options (Community College music courses, continuing education programs) either don't offer this or are not at convenient times thus far...I really want to meet others who play and learn from their ideas, so an on-line course isn't what I prefer....
I am glad to have found this forum to get ideas and network.
MaryS
DrewSorensenMusic
01-20-2012, 10:03 PM
Hi Everyone,
I'm a woodwind player from Philadelphia, PA. I'm 28, have a Bachelor in Music Performance (Jazz Saxophone) from the University of the Arts in Philadephia. I have performed aboard cruise ships since my graduation in 2005. I have also played musicals on the Eastern and Western seaboards.
Favorite shows I've played: Wild Party, Chicago, Urinetown
Favorite classical composers: Stravinsky, Debussy, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky
Favorite Jazz albums: We Want Miles, Return to Forever, Heavy Weather
Current Instruments Owned: Alto Sax, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bansuri Flute
Show I want to play: Wicked
What I'm working on now: Starting Double Reeds (oboe)
Sound clips: Http://www.youtube.com/user/DrewSorensenMusic
MartinMods
01-20-2012, 10:24 PM
Hi Everyone,
I'm a woodwind player from Philadelphia, PA. I'm 28, have a Bachelor in Music Performance (Jazz Saxophone) from the University of the Arts in Philadephia. I have performed aboard cruise ships since my graduation in 2005. I have also played musicals on the Eastern and Western seaboards.
Favorite shows I've played: Wild Party, Chicago, Urinetown
Favorite classical composers: Stravinsky, Debussy, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky
Favorite Jazz albums: We Want Miles, Return to Forever, Heavy Weather
Current Instruments Owned: Alto Sax, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bansuri Flute
Show I want to play: Wicked
What I'm working on now: Starting Double Reeds (oboe)
Sound clips: Http://www.youtube.com/user/DrewSorensenMusic
Nice Drew! I always liked that Karg-Elert stuff.
DrewSorensenMusic
01-21-2012, 04:17 AM
Nice Drew! I always liked that Karg-Elert stuff.
Thanks. I haven't tried many etude books, but I agree, they have been a challenge but also a joy to play. Stuck on #6 right now.
aliveinspirit
01-22-2012, 05:50 PM
Oh forgot to mention I am from SW Ohio. :)
Barbara
baritonesax
02-06-2012, 10:56 AM
Hi from London,
I've lurked on this forum a few times, but finally registered yesterday.
I'm a devoted amateur jazzer, playing all saxes but mainly, you guessed it, baritone, although soprano comes a close second. I play in a couple of big bands, and a couple of smaller groups. I've been playing sax for 30 years, on and off.
Although I've owned a clarinet for 20 years ( I now own a few of them) I didn't make very much progress with it until a couple of years ago, when I began to practise it much more consistently. Having tremendous fun with the misery stick - more than I ever thought I would - and am working towards the ultimate goal of attaining 10% of the phrasing and fluency of Buddy de Franco!
Bill
Gandalfe
02-06-2012, 11:59 PM
Welcome Barbara and Bill. Here's hoping you find many interesting threads to respond to!
CHasR
03-05-2012, 03:36 PM
HI & thanks to the mods for activation.
I'm Charlie Rutan (dotcom),
have been a professional musician for 15+ years,
and currently play 4 different types of pipes-
Scottish Highland: (we all know what these are, yes? no need for a link then!)
Irish Uilleann:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1HRewtAQNc
(just a little snip there....)
Italian Zampogna:
(3 sizes- hiG moderna, Calabrian D, and bass 'Sei Palmi', which is 5 feet tall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx40IGe-K-E
and French Musette Bechonnet,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ru4H73eM20
Recently have begun again to do some English horn, Tin whistle, and Clarinet.
My WW /musical history;s a bit too long to get into here,
but Ive played mostly all the standard ww's; plus a lot of Euro bagpipes, got music degrees, member of ascap, yadda yadda yadda etc.
SO
Looks like you now have a real live honest-to-goodness full-time bagpiper on your boards. :)
saxhound
03-06-2012, 12:21 AM
Welcome to our humble little community.
Cue bagpipe jokes:-)
Gandalfe
03-06-2012, 02:22 PM
Welcome Charlie. So what is the premier bagpipe forum in the world today?
CHasR
03-07-2012, 01:40 PM
Welcome Charlie. So what is the premier bagpipe forum in the world today?
still the granddaddy of em all: Bob Dunsire.
Incidentally, i *love* the staff notation smileys. How handy is that !
:TrebleClef::Space2::Space2::Line3::Space3::Space2::Space3::Space4: :)
breathless
03-07-2012, 08:50 PM
Hello everyone, I'm a complete newbie, although I did learn to play the cornet 30+ years ago in primary school but due to distance to my school and my parents jobs I was unable to continue with my lessons.
For as long as I can remember I've had a love affair with the sound of the saxophone and have finally reached a point in my life that I feel I can commit to fulfilling a life long ambition.
I've found a local saxophone teacher and am in the process of releasing some funds threw the sale of a motorbike that I no longer use to purchase a sax.
Although at this point I am uncertain as to which to elect for (Alto or Tennor), but after speaking to the perspective new teacher and some esteemed establishments ie- Sax.co.UK, I'm swaying towards the Yamaha yaz62 (Alto)but at this early stage and lack of knowledge im open to suggestions and welcome them!.
So there you have it, I'm now going to spend many hours researching in a bid to prepare myself for what lies ahead.
I know it's going to be an uphill struggle as I'm certainly no mathematician and can only hope that somewhere locked away in the back of the old gray matter is some memory of how to read music.
Rgds Lee.
tictactux
03-07-2012, 09:05 PM
For as long as I can remember I've had a love affair with the sound of the saxophone and have finally reached a point in my life that I feel I can commit to fulfilling a life long ambition.
Good for you, and welcome, Lee, back to music, and here to the WooF!
You'll find your way back to written score in no time, it's like bicycling: once you got the hang of it you'll never really forget it.
Per the rest - good luck, and congrats for finding a teacher - maybe he or she has some connection to someone who has a good student instrument for sale (if you don't mind the "used" route). Else - you can't really go wrong with a Yamaha.
Gandalfe
03-07-2012, 11:53 PM
Tenor sax parts are some of the easiest music to play in a wind band. If you strive to play with a community group, which I think is fine way to make progress, I'd strongly consider the tenor over the alto.
breathless
03-08-2012, 01:31 PM
Thankyou for the welcome.
Tictactux - thats interesting that the Tennor is easier which may make my learning a little easier.
as Ive said my knowledge is limited but I didnt think there would be a great deal of difference between the two? apart from the sound obviously.
SteveSklar
03-08-2012, 01:44 PM
+1 for the tenor over the alto
breathless
03-08-2012, 02:49 PM
so this is intriguing me all the more! but in fear of clogging this thread im going to go ask these questions in the Sax section.
thanks for your comments so far.
Lee.
Incidentally, i *love* the staff notation smileys. How handy is that !
:TrebleClef::Space2::Space2::Line3::Space3::Space2::Space3::Space4: :)
You're welcome.
I initially took them from a trombone forum, years ago, edited a couple and added them to Sax-on-the-Web's forum. I've always liked them, so I added them here when I set up this forum.
I've often thought about extending the range, but I've not had enough any people ask for that. (I'm also one of the few that like using the strikethrough BBcode.)
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