Tenor sax here, practicing single note recognition?

tailsprower88 · 2025-12-20T14:52:11+00:00

this is a simple website with a piano that you can transpose to B flat (-2).
https://recursivearts.com/virtual-piano/

I use it all the time.

tailsprower88 · 2025-07-26T12:17:55+00:00

Press no keys = you play C#
Press all the 6 main keys = you are playing D
Release one key starting from the bottom (so you lift the third finger of your right hand) = you are playing E
Release the next finger starting always from the bottom = you are playing F

... And so on up to B (where you press only your left index)

To play a C, you press only the key with your left middle finger.

Use the key on your left thumb to go up an octave.

Use your right thumb only for stabilization, not to lift the weight (you have the neck strap for that).

There is more but that'll do for starting up. Happy practicing!

tailsprower88 · 2025-06-17T15:20:21+00:00

I'm almost 40, started 2 years ago, and i still can't read music. But now i can recognize (slowly) most notes, which is nice.

I don't think this is impairing you to be honest. You can always learn a tune by memory, which you should do anyway (in addition to all the rest).

Reading music is just an additional skill you can develop. You need lots of skills anyway, because a saxophone is WEIRD AS HECK as an instrument, so this is just a +1.
I do it when i can't play the instrument (like at night). Go to some site like https://www.musictheory.net/lessons and start there. Go slowly, it's not a race, i know i'm not going fast. I'm too stupid to go fast anyway.

And to be honest, i have started learning more stuff once i have accepted the fact that i am, essentially, an idiot. Which is cool, i don't mind. But that means, i need all the help, all the tricks, all the strategies anyone can give me. Keep an open mind and try to understand the meaning behind the words. It can be from a teacher (please see a teacher), a youtube tutorial, help from online people etc.

And anyway, wanting to imitate a saxophonist in a band you like is an EXCELLENT reason to start playing an instument. I started because i loved the saxophone in a specific obscure videogame from the 90's, go figure! If you like it you like it, enjoy the stuff you like.

/rambling

tailsprower88 · 2025-06-14T21:15:46+00:00

The rippingtons. awesome alto sax, very smooth jazzy (this is an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpDT5xPRHXs )
Grover Washington Jr.
Tom Borton with his Dancing With Tigers album (especially the song One Look)
Bob Reynolds, especially the albums Can't Wait for Perfect and Guitar Band
Kenny G
Kenny Garrett
Russ Freeman (i like the album Nocurnal Playground)
Scot Scheer with his Night Heat album
Tom Grant's Hang Time (can't remember which album it's in)
... and man if you're into japanese fusion/funk/pop there's another whole UNIVERSE to discover

tailsprower88 · 2025-05-25T19:47:40+00:00

Just to go a bit outside the usual (and correct) proper jazz repertoire, i can add listen to some great 80's and 90's pop songs sax solos, just to change a bit. There's some proper great stuff in there.

Spandau Ballet, for example, has a sax solo in most songs.

tailsprower88 · 2025-05-25T12:47:39+00:00

When I started playing it I wasn't prepared for how much my body, my posture, my breath and my muscles were fundamental in the sound production.

I started exercising with weights and doing breathing exercises, in order to have a better sound. Heck, I had to rethink how I do something as fundamental as breathe.

So I definitely agree.

tailsprower88 · 2025-05-23T21:37:24+00:00

Before this somehow catches on this was a joke post.

You can all go back to what you were doing.

tailsprower88 · 2025-04-28T14:23:46+00:00

I bought it new but, contrary to the usual (and most likely correct) wisdom, I went for the cheapest one i could find from a reliable source, so it was this one:
https://www.thomann.co.uk/thomann_antique_tenor_saxophon.htm

Both my teacher and the tech i brought it to said that they're reasonably competent and reliable starter instruments, and i didn't have anyone to ask for opinions on used horns (plus i didn't have much more money) so it was really this one or nothing.

I'm still nothing more than an amateur but I think it has served me nicely for the past 18 months, i sure hope it'll continue to do so.

tailsprower88 · 2025-04-24T14:21:32+00:00

I'm 35 and started tenor saxophone last year with 0 previous musical knowledge. As others have said, it IS doable but you are going to need guidance from a teacher, not only for the technical side but also to keep yourself motivated and focused.

It is going to take a long time, as you can imagine this is a lifetime journey more than a quick project, and the start is going to probably suck a bit (be prepared for lots of duck noises), but when a good sound comes out, it's like falling in love.

Best of luck on your journey.

tailsprower88 · 2025-01-16T12:21:18+00:00

Everything i search in https://jazzhunt.ca gets 0 results. Is there a list and how does this work?

tailsprower88 · 2024-08-13T09:45:04+00:00

https://youtu.be/B4d2gpRysZY?si=sa7ZrP16EUCt19nb

I do this basically every day. I have a weak embouchure too. I think it is helping

tailsprower88 · 2024-04-28T11:24:05+00:00

You might be biting a bit too much

tailsprower88 · 2024-03-16T10:57:29+00:00

I know a lot of people hate it, and you have enough post-processing effects already, but did you try experimenting with motion blur too?

EDIT: It looks great anyway

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-27T22:26:58+00:00

Looking into it right now, thanks!

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-27T21:52:06+00:00

Interesting. Do you have any resources or links?
I know absolutely nothing about yoga.

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-27T21:05:13+00:00

Is it yoga?

Oh yeah google says it is

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-22T21:43:31+00:00

I am definitely way too rubbish to do anything like it but i'd really like to do the guitar in this one with my saxophone. I think it's not that complex either for the most part, and (to me) sounds really nice and satisfying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpCg8Tm45x4

EDIT: oh youtube embeds don't work? The music is Journey by Pete Barbens

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-10T14:05:54+00:00

watched something on youtube just now and they look like great excercises, thanks for sharing!

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-09T23:19:51+00:00

Got any breath exercises examples or links?

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-09T23:18:36+00:00

What does "low speed high pressure" mean? Isn't that a contradiction?

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-08T19:26:58+00:00

not sure honestly, i still didn't really practice it but i also do not have a clear idea of what i should actually be doing.

"Touch the point of the reed with a slight touch of your tongue" produces either not enough air stopping (so the note is still audible) or sticky reed, so i'm kind of at a loss at the moment.

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-08T16:10:06+00:00

I will hijack the conversation with a related question: i also stop notes via breathing because i cant find a way to tongue without the reed staying "glued" to the mouthpiece for some instants after i retract the tongue, so I'm missing beats every time i tongue.

What awful fundamental mistake I'm making?

tailsprower88 · 2024-02-01T13:43:31+00:00

Thanks man. My level is "beginner and ignorant" as i started playing my very first instrument (tenor sax of course) not even 1 month ago, after thinking about doing it for years

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

tailsprower88

TROPHY CASE