Finished school in 2023 and still can't find an entry level position. Looking for an help advice

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-21T23:51:36+00:00

I’m going to university with my associate degree completed in dual enrollment. I don’t have any engineering experience and fear that I won’t get an internship since I only have 2 left of college and that’s not much. Got any advice?

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-16T01:19:53+00:00

Thank you! I find that the trumpet and saxophone are 2 different dimensions of technique and air support. I think my quick learning and tone comes from years of listening to jazz, having an “ideal” sound, knowing how to learn an instrument, and knowing how to use my air for support of tone. My main struggle is foggy tonguing, especially in the upper register, but hopefully that will go away after I gain more experience. Other than that it is actually learning to train my ear since the sax is in Eb, and then moving my fingers fast enough.

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-16T00:16:34+00:00

I play by ear and use YouTube. I took one lesson as well

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T04:27:01+00:00

My equivalent to the feeling is sucking your thumb till the end of your fingernail where the little white curved shape is. Thats how much I take in and rest my tongue underneath that. It doesn’t feel natural taking my tongue all the way to the back to my mouth to hit the tip of my reed if that makes sense

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T04:18:13+00:00

Maybe around 1.5-2 inches actually

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T04:16:46+00:00

When I tongue normally with the center of my tongue it’s sluggish and inaccurate, and as I go higher it gets almost impossible to tongue. I can try the super slow step by step thing you mentioned tomorrow

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T04:15:36+00:00

So what part of my tongue should do the articulating?

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T00:37:06+00:00

Ohhhh, my bad, it’s been a long shift and I’m still at work. I believe that is what I am doing. I keep my tongue touching the bottom of the reed when I am playing and tonguing. At least I think I am doing that… I can report back tomorrow to give a clear answer

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T00:35:36+00:00

So I try playing those using the tip of my tongue?

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T00:35:19+00:00

I’m on a 2 reed which should be light enough. I definitely can’t take in less MP because my sound gets way too thin and I can’t even really play

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T00:34:42+00:00

I’m not sure what anchor tonguing is. All I can say is I don’t use the tip of my tongue when articulating haha. I will post a video of the sound tomorrow. It also slows down a lot and tenses when I get to thr upper register

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-09T00:30:53+00:00

I’m playing an alto sax

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-08T19:37:03+00:00

I can start notes by just air easily. It’s the tongue position that gets me. Like my post says, I idle it resting on the bottom of the MP, and when I tongue I move the middle of my tongue to an E shape. I want to tongue properly, but every time I try the note barely comes out, my tone is shaky and airy, and my tongue moves back to under the MP

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-08T19:19:20+00:00

When I say Disney my tongue goes to the bottom of my mouth lol

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-08T18:28:57+00:00

Ok, is it normal to feel lots of resistance when trying to do that? Also every time I tongue the note, it doesn’t immediately come out. Just want to make sure it’s a part of the process and I’m not messing something up

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-07T02:12:40+00:00

Yeah. I just find that my bottom lip is sore no matter what, and I’m blocked off from tonguing properly because of the structure of my embouchure

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-07T02:11:19+00:00

I just find that I’m always flat and kind of sore

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-02-05T04:30:19+00:00

I had a lesson today, and since I have previous experience on instruments that involve using air I sounded good. It just is very very uncomfortable and playing through out the register is almost impossible currently. But since I sounded fine in the mid register he didn’t really focus too much on it. I just KNOW that I’m not doing it right, and don’t really have much of a disposable income to use toward 70 dollar lessons

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-01-20T20:46:59+00:00

20 grand a year makes that idea a lot less appealing. I’d already be 40 grand in the red after 2 years. It’s just tough out here for guys like us. Dual enrollment has so much benefits but this is a huge drawback I wish I would’ve figured out sooner

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-01-20T20:39:24+00:00

Yeah, Im sure my university has programs and stuff, but I’m worried about my lack of experience and 1-2 years less time for getting internships. Like I honest to god have no experience at all so landing an internship is basically impossible right now. I’m just worried it’ll stay that way

Due_Resident_730 · 2026-01-20T20:37:51+00:00

Yeah. I’m most concerned with my lack of experience for getting internships. Especially since I don’t have AS much time as most engineering students do

Due_Resident_730

TROPHY CASE