Learn Saxophone.

Like all new things, if you want to learn saxophone then you actually need to put in some time and effort.

Sorry for the reality check at this early stage – but let’s not burst any enthusiasm bubbles just yet !

Learning how to play the saxophone can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your time.  Playing the music that YOU want to play can be extremely rewarding.  The sense of achievement that you can get from being able to play your favourite song, or play along with your favourite band, can be simply amazing.

 

There are a few things you need to do in order to learn saxophone and start your saxophone lessons.

 

You need access to a saxophone.  This may seem obvious, but it is surprising how many people suddenly decide to learn saxophone, organise saxophone lessons, turn up and ask, “do I need a saxophone ?”.  Yes.  You do need a saxophone.

Fortunately, this is relatively easy to tick off your learn saxophone list.

You do not need to run out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on a brand new top of the line saxophone….unless of course you have the financial capacity and you want to 😉

Can you borrow a sax from someone ?  Maybe you could rent one for a few months.  Perhaps you could buy a second hand used sax.  Maybe you could buy a good student model saxophone – like the Yamaha YAS 280 – that will not break the bank, yet will make learning how to play the saxophone an enjoyable experience, rather than a battle.

Caveat:  there are many cheap “no name” brands of sax available on sites like ebay or alibaba.  My personal recommendation is to stay away from these.  Most of them will be hard to play, sound terrible, and will not last.

 

Pick up your sax.

Learn Saxophone

 

You need to actually learn how to put a saxophone together.   You need to learn how to put a reed on a saxophone mouthpiece.  You need to put your sax in your mouth and blow.

You cannot actually learn how to play the saxophone without actually playing the saxophone.  Yes, you can watch videos, read books, listen to podcasts and learn the theory and mechanics of playing the saxophone.  However, if you don’t get any actual playing and practical experience, all the hypothetical knowledge in the world won’t help.  Just like driving a car – you can learn the road rules, but what’s the point if you don’t get behind the wheel, start the engine and actually drive somewhere ?

 

Put your sax in your mouth.

 

You need to learn about your saxophone embouchure.  In a nutshell, this is all about how you hold your face – your cheeks, your mouth, your jaw.  It is also about learning how to use your tongue, basic mouthpiece control plus breathing correctly.  This is not difficult, but it does help to have someone show you.

 

Move your fingers.

 

You need to learn how to play saxophone notes.  Holding your sax, putting your fingers in the right place(s) at the right time(s) is a fairly important detail that needs to be explored.  Unfortunately, it’s not just a case of grabbing your sax, wiggling your fingers and hoping something good comes out.  There is a method to the saxophone fingering madness !  Again, this is not difficult, but it can feel strange at first. Getting some guidance from someone who knows how to play the saxophone will accelerate this process for you.  Having a saxophone fingering chart will also help you to interpret what initially might seem to be slightly confusing.

 

Have Fun.  Play Saxophone.  Be Awesome.  Repeat.

Playing music – any style or genre – can be enormous fun, especially on your sax.  When you first learn saxophone you may be slightly hesitant….please don’t be !  Like all new skills, it can take several attempts and practice sessions before you get the hang of it.  This can also be part of the fun.  By learning how to play saxophone you automatically take massive steps towards being awesome.  Repeating the whole process means that your skill level starts to snowball.  Each time you play your sax you will take another step towards your musical goals.

The simple fact that you are interested in starting to learn saxophone means that you are awesome already.

Please keep being awesome !

 

Thanks,

Matthew

P.S.  If you would like simple step by step instructions to help you learn how to play the sax, 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 !

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

 

Saxophone Lessons at HowToPlayTheSax.com

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