Saxophone for beginner

roundthebend · July 2022

My wife wants to learn to play Saxophone. She doesn't play any other instrument, except for a bit of drums which doesn't really count ;-)

I'm told by a colleague that a cheap Sax, plus some medium/soft reeds, and some free YouTube videos would be a good starting point.

When looking for beginner instruments, I think the 2 key elements are:

cheap - so that the investment is not wasted should it not work out. Admittedly, a £3000 instrument might be sold on for £3000 with a net cost of zero, but we don't have that budget. Perhaps £300 but would be happy to spend £150 and it end up in the loft after a few months of trying.
usable - something which is in tune, has easy to use valves for someone without the muscle dexterity, and is light enough to hold. Not like those cheap acoustic guitars with impossible actions and sharp frets.

Yorkie · July 2022

My thoughts:
- Make sure she is ready for LOUD. It's LOUD, and it's very difficult to make it not loud. There are expensive ways that work, and there are cheaper ways (with sponges and stuff) that reduce volume to about 70%, which is still loud.
- Avoid crappy Staggs, etc. If she doesn't like it, she won't get half the cost of it back. I would buy a second hand Yamaha if I were to start again (I know I won't).
- A decent mouthpiece goes a long way.
- Perhaps get a harness? An alto sax is half the weight of a regular Les Paul, but the distribution of weight felt way more awkward to me.

Jon

barnstorm · July 2022

Appreciate that it's not what you asked, but if there's somewhere nearby where she could have an introductory lesson on a rented instrument, I'd recommend that.

I played clarinet for a bit when I was at school (hated it!) and relied way more heavily on instruction than I did when learning piano or guitar. Everyone's different, though – might well be that your missus could make swift progress with Youtube videos. I'm just fairly confident that I wouldn't.

My brother is a very good saxophonist and I remember practice being something that the whole house had to 'enjoy', so be prepared for the volume a sax produces!

VimFuego · July 2022

John Packer do a fairly decent rental instrument, I rented the equivalent clarinet and it was OK. Get a good beginners mouthpiece like the yamaha 4c and she'll be fine.
Musical Instruments UK For Sale | Woodwind & Brass | John Packer

Roland · July 2022

Music shops which supply school instruments often do rental schemes which can be converted to purchase if the student takes to the instrument.

Yorkie said:

... I would buy a second hand Yamaha ...

We went for Yamaha rather than a cheapo because it was more reliable, with a better sound. I can’t remember if it was new or secondhand.

UnclePsychosis · July 2022

My first instrument is flute and I know (knew) a lot of saxophone players. The undisputed king of the beginner saxophone was always Yamaha,so thats where I'd be looking. Cheaper brands like Jupiter and Buffet had a good reputation but my knowledge is 20 years old...

Also, in my experience there is a thriving rental market for "beginner" classical instruments. My first flute was rented from a shop and when I decided to stick with it they deducted the rental cost from the price of a purchase. I'd be surprised if that model doesn't still exist.

I also thoroughly recommend a teacher, at least at first. Making a noise on a sax can be frustrating, and you want to get off on the right footing.

Yorkie · July 2022

UnclePsychosis said:

I also thoroughly recommend a teacher, at least at first. Making a noise on a sax can be frustrating, and you want to get off on the right footing.

Absolutely agree on this. It's not just about progress, it's also about not getting injured like I stupidly did.

fretmeister · July 2022

My daughter has a good beginner one that she doesn't use anymore.
I'll ask her if she wants to sell if if you like?

Either way - there's a healthy used market.

Does your wife want alto or tenor?

Lessons are really needed - the embouchure needs to be right.

fretmeister · July 2022

You can get bags and cases to control the volume

Image: https://media.music123.com/is/image/MMGS7/Practice-Mute-System-for-Alto-Saxophone-II-White/464520000901000-00-750x750.jpg

roundthebend · July 2022

fretmeister said:

My daughter has a good beginner one that she doesn't use anymore.
I'll ask her if she wants to sell if if you like?

Either way - there's a healthy used market.

Does your wife want alto or tenor?

Lessons are really needed - the embouchure needs to be right.

Yes please. I think Alto is the normal thing, so that's what my wife would want.

VimFuego · July 2022

and this is a great UK based forum, lots of really knowledgeable and friendly folks there:

Forum list | CafeSaxophone Forum

RiftAmps · July 2022

Start with a pocket sax and some 1.5 reeds, once your embouchure is sorted you're golden

Yorkie · July 2022

That sounds like a great thing to start with, and I bet it's not super loud. Not quite pocket sized, but who cares.
And so inexpensive it might have become Charlie Parker's weapon of choice back in the day!

BintyTwanger77 · July 2022

I still use a student alto, and I've been playing sax for 30 years: I've just got used to the ergonomics of it. I use a Yamaha YAS280, which is maybe the best student sax you can get, though it is over your budget. Sax.co.uk stock Sakkusu altos starting at £369:

https://sax.co.uk/collections/alto-saxophones

These are fine for someone who is starting out, the Sakkusus aren't designed for an experienced gigging saxophonist as it won't be as hard wearing for being played a lot, but the quality of lower-priced saxes has come on leaps and bounds since I started playing.

They also do a hire scheme on saxophones with an option to buy, which I think might be your wife's best option:

https://sax.co.uk/pages/saxophone-rental

Hope this helps, any other questions let me know.

roundthebend · July 2022

Rental option is very interesting, thanks @BintyTwanger77 ;

TheMadMick · August 2022

For a beginner the Yamaha is a sound bet. They are probably just in budget for a decent 2nd hand one.

My eldest had one for many years then upgraded to a Yanigasawa which was absolutely awesome- Knocked the Selmer into a cocked hat. But that's for another day!

CE1 · August 2022

Try the saxshack in Stoke. Guy who runs it is old school music nut who turned his hobby into a business. He usually has a good few 2nd hand beginner/ intermediate horns in stock and is incredibly helpful.

ElectricXII · August 2022

+1 for Yamaha.

CHRISB50 · August 2022

My wife’s best mate is a sax and clarinet teacher. She’s on holiday in Greece at the moment but I can ask for advice when she returns, if you would like me to.

Obviously you already have plenty of suggestions above.

roundthebend · August 2022

CHRISB50 said:

My wife’s best mate is a sax and clarinet teacher. She’s on holiday in Greece at the moment but I can ask for advice when she returns, if you would like me to.

Obviously you already have plenty of suggestions above.

Yes please.
We think we'll start with a Xaphoon as th price is right, and they aren't huge things to lay around gathering dust. But, assuming interest remains high, it would be good where to go next.

CHRISB50 · August 2022

roundthebend said:

CHRISB50 said:

My wife’s best mate is a sax and clarinet teacher. She’s on holiday in Greece at the moment but I can ask for advice when she returns, if you would like me to.

Obviously you already have plenty of suggestions above.

Yes please.
We think we'll start with a Xaphoon as th price is right, and they aren't huge things to lay around gathering dust. But, assuming interest remains high, it would be good where to go next.

No worries.

I'll speak to her when she is back and let you know.

Teetonetal · September 2022

I bought a Jupiter to learn on 20 years ago and still play it. It fairly quickly needed a pad service but it’s been ok.

my sister learnt on a Yamaha student model. She bought it on a rent to buy scheme.

the Yamaha was a better instrument

Andyjr1515 · September 2022

Rental to try out is a great idea

Yamaha saxes (pretty much all of them)

But if you wanted new (and there is an advantage for these kind of instruments) then you can't do much better than one of these

https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_tas_180_alto_saxophone.htm

Costs less than a setup often needed with 'much loved' second hand one and almost certainly comes with a quibble-free warranty.

A few lessons tl get you started is always helpful.

guitarjack66 · November 2022

fretmeister said:

You can get bags and cases to control the volume

I wouldnt know whether to play it or have s*x with it.

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Saxophone for beginner

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