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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: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
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: 1,199
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199 |
Hi Joe,
PM sent
Thanks
George
Windows 11 64 bit, Biab 2024 1111, Realband 2024
i7 Desktop Computer 16Gb Memory
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199 |
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 2024 1111, Realband 2024
i7 Desktop Computer 16Gb Memory
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
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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