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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491 |
Hi George, Whereabouts in Scotland are you based? I may be able to help locate a pro to teach you. Regards, Joe G.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880 |
You will grow through different reed strengths and mouthpieces as your lips (embouchure) mature.
Its a matter of time, playing too much at the beginning can make lips sore and put you back a little. Thinner reeds (1. 1.5) give a brassier tone, as reeds get thicker they get harder to blow but give a warmer tone. Many players start with a thin reed as it gets you going.
There are three types of mouthpieces, plastic, ebonite, and metal. Plastic is more or less student, it will work, but the other two are favoured. Ebonite gives a warmer more old school tone metal is a larger type of sound.
The lay - that is the curve of the mouthpiece is also important. If there is little room between the reed and the curvature (when resting) then the read can clam up and its difficult to play, on the other hand if the lay is too great it takes a lot of lip muscle (unecessarily) to get the sound.
At present just getting a sound out of the instrument is an acheivement, but once your lips have muscletone - perhaps a year, or even more, then reviewing mouthpiece choice is wise.
Another factor is the condition of the reed. How wet it is. Some people put their reeds in a glass of water - I dont bother these days. There are 'good' reeds, and 'bad' reeds, but you can get too religious about this. Same with mouthpieces, I have met some way to fussy players. Some people pay very silly money, for a lot of hype (IMO).
Last edited by ZeroZero; 09/21/13 12:15 PM.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,208
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,208 |
Hi Joe,
PM sent
Thanks
George
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2026 (1237), Realband 2026 (10)
i7 Desktop Computer 16Gb Memory
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,208
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,208 |
Hi ZeroZero,
Thanks for that very helpful information.
At present I am using a Vandoren reed 1 1/2 strength with which I can just about get a toot out of.
I am also using BIAB with the tuner to see if I can hold the same note for a period (small at the moment) of time.
I did look at the price of a mouthpiece and settled on a Yamaha 4C as the prices of mouthpieces go off the scale (well, my scale anyway).
I never knew that prices for mouthpieces went up to 250$ and higher.
The mouthpiece I settled on (the Yamaha 4C) seemed to be the one most recommended for a beginner.
Thanks
George
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2026 (1237), Realband 2026 (10)
i7 Desktop Computer 16Gb Memory
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880 |
that all sounds fine. I say stick with what you have for a while some months perhaps. When you get comfortable in the second octave you are beginning to get an embrouchure. An embrouchure is a lifetime thing. It also fades quickly if you don't practice.
Yes practising steady tones is good. There is also vibrato which is a wavering tone. The idea is to have control and deliver what you need. Practice playing softly, then gradually loudly - on the same note.
As far as fingering is concerned start with three notes of a simple scale, when the fingers find them automatically, then add another note, dropping one from the other end.
Notes beyond D lower register are harder to blow, esp at first. If they are near impossible, then you may have a leak somewhere (anywhere) on the horn. Make sure you don't try to fix this yourself as its a black art and can take years to get the touch.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 491 |
Hi George, I'm sendimg a PM with contact details of several sax tutors fairly near to you. Hope this helps. Regards, Joe G.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Mac, you took the words write out of my mouth. I tell everyone the same thing when it comes to learning a new instrument. I don't care if you've been playing for 30 years there is nothing like a good teacher to get you started correctly.
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
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Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
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Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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