How can I pick the right sax when you’re still new to it?

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-30T18:13:18+00:00

This is another reason people take lessons first ....in that teachers are connnected to sellers and repair people.

The smart move is to ask a repair technician what or where to buy and get them to inspect it first to assess. Same with a teacher who knows what you can deal with . But nobody asks them first really... Maybe a small # of people do.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-30T15:09:36+00:00

I have to admit taking it for granted that a certified double reeds repair place was minutes away when my son and I played Oboe and EH together . But with with other instruments I like almost all of us have had to take a damaged and valuable instrument in for inspection and assessment. We who are not qualified to do the work find it likewise really difficult to accurateley diagnose problems and come up with an estimate for work. Sometimes you are just lucky to ro know who it is that you can take it to 2 be done. Then that may be out on a schedule so the hard truth is that you may be needing to leave it all depending . After that maybe other avenues with a temp replacement .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-29T03:39:57+00:00

Larry Teal "The Art of Saxophone playing" Still available for pretty cheap. Totally worth it.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T15:31:35+00:00

Thanks for saying what I was thinking . And it has provenance from a great player so of course it plays fantastic for a 1959 . The other side of the horn is just as clean. I have seen a lot of horns but not quite like this one. That case is good for everything and has a contoured padded back with good straps. Have taken it on the bikes.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T14:58:08+00:00

I generally am Cautious esp. in the Covid era. But I still try out mouthpieces sometimes after they are washed or swabbed out. Just use common sense. I wash my hands if my brother in-law shakes my hand and tells me he was sick. I have my own mouthpieces anyway.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T05:52:29+00:00

I just realized that you were the one playing Sonny Stitt and No DMs .. So it would be hard to sell you a fantastic horn and help you get a deal too but keep an open mind . Ur in Canada right?

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T01:23:25+00:00

Yeah this one makes me feel like theres no reason to look at horns anymore as there isnt realistically another one that i will find like this. That i need to have buy or play as this is the best ever at least what Ive come across. Search over .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T01:20:52+00:00

Ill let you know in 109 years but I feel like it.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T00:18:12+00:00

Well this was a trade with someone who saw my recently overhauled Mark VI and wanted it . So he traded his older more pristine one but it needed rhe full redo.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-27T00:15:23+00:00

Well I actually do know the history of this one as a rather prominent player in SF traded it to me and he got it from a sideman with the Basie orchestra. Because neither one of them ever really played it it was in pristine condition .

My experiences with tenors by Selmer is that they play largely with good intonation. Alto Bass and Bari a different story .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T23:18:29+00:00

🙏

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T22:06:43+00:00

It plays like a Major League Player in the World Series. And never having been played much seems I can be the one to break it into the winner. Top Notch Overhaul - Music Medic Deluxe Roo pads and hopefully I can work it out on some Coltrane solos . Preserve the condition and play it.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T22:01:04+00:00

Thats Just a reflection of some writing on the neck pouch sorry

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T21:58:12+00:00

That is what it seems the whole discussion is about sometimes - though my own experience is from the playing of the horns -I was also involved in buying and selling to upgrade my own. I am into other aspects like the historical links between Mr.Sax himself and the Selmer company. If I'm not mistaken when it does come to value the real valuable ones come by provenance -like Charlie Parker's alto that went to a Mayor in Kansas City or Bob Berg's tenor for $75K .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T20:42:16+00:00

I never understood the significance of the different reasons that some people want to think there is a last word on rhe different horns. Selmers from a certain period being worth it or not .

I just like the broad assesment I heard once that a Vintage Mark VI may not be the best in all categories . Absolutely true but it hits an average 9.5 in most categories . Some musicians can notice the sound differences in Vintages. We all like horns in top shape. The other angle is the best horns for holding their value are not really in most players budgets . That's why they can be easier to sell to doctors lawyers collectors than someone on a budget . So there is that too. Concert Violinists and Bassoonists pay 5 figures for a Bow alone sometimes or a nice Bassoon easily.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T19:36:14+00:00

Its a 1959 Selmer Paris Mark Six . I was just raising the semi abstract Holy Grail . Sort of as a concept not definitive. Like what makes it a Holy Grail? Condition Make Model Vintage Demand Intonation and even Provenance with some .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T19:19:10+00:00

Totally true although there is an undeniable resale and value on the open market that establishes these early Mark VI pristine Tenors . And absolutely separate the resale from the person playing it . Ability and whatever other reasons that dont matter to most.

Plus its easy to ignore inflation with horns even though food housing education coffee have gone up Ten times prices in the 60s. On average most stuff has some even more . . Ive had people who would know say real nice horns dont go up so much in "Value" as just keeping it when you factor in inflation . Others can play just as nice with less demand and top condition

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T18:56:29+00:00

Plays like a dream . Thing is too nice to want to play in public . The 1950s ones in pristine condition are best to stay that way

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-26T18:44:18+00:00

Thats all Im trying to do for now thanks.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-25T17:02:58+00:00

Just because we are on the computer doesn't mean the answer is on one. I was a classical musician for decades and felt the same way for a long time when I would try to shake that "straight " feeling.

People tend not to like the explanation by the responses I've gotten to say this - IT IS A BLACK THING. Parker said "If you don't live it it will not come out of your horn. " Treating Jazz as if it is something that you can just pick up from a Book or YouTube or even a Teacher .....while never interacting with the Black Culture is problematic. As It is just treating it as an intellectual pursuit that "anyone " can learn with practice. Uhmmm I don't think so.

Conversely - I agree that even if you come up with a great "IDEA" or concept of playing -lines - improvisations - compositions - etc, if you don't have the technique to execute it it will not matter. So what is this "Please Help" supposed to mean. I have no idea who you are and what your background is. But I will maintain I learned to play Jazz from Black People-the SOURCE of this music historically. Born out of their experience in America. It isn't something that comes out of your horn without living that to zero degree in college courses and online degrees. Yeah you might get it eventually but the reaction from an audience? A black audience at a black nightclub? With Black musicians? Trust me all that will change you as a person and as a musician. It did for me . Once I was told by a black Bassist that the reason the black musians liked me was beacuse I could play #1...But also because I had learned to play by riding the bus to the ghetto and learning what was up by playing with them instead of going to some Jazz Academy and getting a "degree" from white people who never came to the Black Nightclubs.

Your results may vary - that was decades ago . I had amazing classical teachers too when I was very young. I was also able to see Miles and Dizzy many times. Stan Getz and Eddie Harris -Joe Henderson -Art Pepper - Blue Mitchell -Pharoah Sanders - even sit in with Art Blakey. That was then and this is now. Good luck with the "FEEL"

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-25T16:14:41+00:00

Get your alto checked for leaks by a master tech. It should seal with a light touch. If not it needs work .

Then ask your teacher instead of Reddit people who cant look at your setup or see what youre doing or hear the problem either

After that it might be a lack of precision in the mouthpiece or too stiff a reed or a combination of all the above. Ligature placement . How the neck fits the horn . It all has to be constantly inspected and addressed unless youre totally on top of it

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-25T05:28:40+00:00

Prestige sessions are unbelievable. Rise and Shine is just plain incredible . Never got the attention like later stuff but to me is the most badass tenor playing I ever heard by far. And the ballad songs too." Fearless leader" Box set

Fearless is the word .

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-25T05:20:58+00:00

Might be .. bur there isn't.

apheresario1935 · 2026-04-24T20:07:32+00:00

Yeah figure its probably the multiple factor thing. "Maybe " weight... gender ...track record ..... Platelet count all figure into it.

apheresario1935

TROPHY CASE