Is It Too Late To Learn Saxophone

Is It Too Late To Learn Saxophone ?

I am surprised by the number of people asking me if it is too late to learn how to play the saxophone. Have they missed out on their dream to learn saxophone ?

If it is after 10pm where you are, then yes – possibly it is a little bit late to be learning how to play the saxophone – especially from a housemate and a next door neighbours perspective !!

If, however, the question is based on a persons age, rather than their local time, then my answer is a resounding NO.

 

It is NEVER too late to learn how to play the saxophone.

 

I have a few students who are over the age of 70.

One of these students has never ever had anything to do with playing music in her entire life.  She has wanted to learn saxophone for the last 60 years and finally has summoned up the courage to start.

Several of my 60+ year old students did begin to learn how to play an instrument when they were in primary school or early high school, more than 50 years ago. They didn’t enjoy it at the time, then life happened, and now they have decided to learn saxophone.

Good on them !!!!

Then there are the people who are in their 40’s and 50’s. 

They are either really busy with work / families / mortgages / rent and need some relaxation outlet, a hobby, or some personal time.  So they have picked up a sax, or rented one, and have started playing.

Or these people have a bit of time on their hands and so they are fulfilling a life long ambition to learn how to play the saxophone.

Again, some of these 40+ and 50+ people learnt how to play for a few years while they were at school decades ago and now are picking up where they left off.  Or starting again 🙂

30+ year old saxophone students – especially beginners – tend to schedule in their music time as a bit of “me time”.

They often are busy at work and/or have young children, so they want to do something for themselves…..such as learn saxophone.  These people often go out of their way to schedule in a 30 minute saxophone lesson plus several practice sessions though out their week.

Some mums and dads regularly play football, or golf, or go to the gym, or go to craft classes, or yoga classes.

Others play an instrument.

Then there are the 20 somethings – these people are young enough to remember NOT being able to learn an instrument while they were at school.  So they deliberately go out and get a saxophone and start.  Being at college or University allows for great opportunities to start something new, especially if young tertiary students are away from their parents.

Or, they want to keep going, keep progressing, keep playing what they began at school.

I have one absolute beginner saxophone student – a 19 year old young lady who is quite an accomplished guitarist.  She always wanted to play sax as well as guitar at school, but couldn’t for various and multiple reasons.  Now that she is at university, she has decided that “now” is the time to add saxophone into her musical mix.

Teenagers can often start to play the saxophone late in their high school journey.  13 year olds just starting high school can sometimes hold back and not join in where they may secretly want to, because they don’t know if it will be “cool” or “socially acceptable”.  So they miss out.

However, after a few years into high school, they can realise that they actually ARE missing out.  They see that some of their friends go on music camps, are joining bands, playing in concerts and having fun with their saxophones.  So then they want to join in too.

 

When is the best time to learn saxophone ?

 

The old saying goes that the best time to plant a tree was yesterday.  The next best time to plant a tree is today.

So, if you did not start learning how to play the saxophone last year, or a decade or more ago, that’s ok.

It is simply not a problem, nor is it a barrier to entry.

Therefore, the best time to learn how to play the saxophone, if not yesterday, is TODAY.

Saxophones are great for ALL ages !

It is NEVER too late to learn how to play the saxophone 🙂

Thanks,

Matthew

P.S.  If you would like simple step by step instructions to help you learn how to play the saxophone, all neatly organised in the one convenient location, all provided by an experienced saxophone teacher who can help you to play the music that you want to play quickly and easily, then check out our saxophone lessons membership options.  Get started on your saxophone journey today !

 

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Remember – I can help you learn How To Play The Sax 🙂

 

YES – I want to Have Fun, Play Sax, Be Awesome and Repeat !