Michelle M Drums are crazy hard if you want to get really good, especially with polyrhythms (something most instrument players (including myself) have barely ever heard of)
The important thing is loving the instrument (the sound it makes) and giving up other things and spend time practicing on daily basis. When I started learning violin everybody told me that I was going to have a hard time and I had. But I had a teacher and I spent 2-3hours practicing everyday. After one month I was already playing basic songs like Twinkle Little Star and Silent Night. With the sax and any other instrument is the same thing. DEDICATION is the key word !
+Fernando Leite I played the violin steadily but not crazily for about 15 years before my relatives couldnt tell if it was me or the stereo. He is right, with instruments where you have to create the sound with your movement it takes a while before a note sounds pleasant to the ear.
interesting points ,if anyone else is searching for how to learn to play the saxophone try Vaxicorn Simple Saxophone Guide (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my co-worker got great success with it.
What this guy is saying in the video is bullshit. It isn't hard to play at all. Granted, I am a pianist by background. I played like this dutch guy in the video (actually truth to be told a tad better, after viewing a few of his playing videos), after a 1 month short of year of practicing. And I would consider myself even now mediocre at best. This level of tone and playing is not at all hard to achieve. I would say 1 year max, if you have a bit of talent and a rudimentary understanding of scales and chords from earlier. It's absolutely the easiest blowing instrument by far. Pick a trumpet of a flute for real challenge. Those things require actual talent. And I've played them all.
II really like your style of communication. You come across as very laidback, ie. cool. I'm 55 years old retired, and purchased a very well maintained alto Yamaha YAS 23, saxophone a few months ago. Your videos really help. I live in the middle of nowhere prairie Southern Manitoba Canada; so there's no one around to teach me. At least I don't squeak anymore. Scales are my current challenge, and hitting the low C and B consistently without only blowing a hiss and no note. I can read sheet music, from my few childhood piano lessons, so it helps to learn a new song. I've also taken your advice to just have fun with it and attempt to play along with music. That really gets me thinking about which key to press for the right note. Maybe some day I will order your lessons. Pension is a tad small. Thx again!
the hardest part of the saxophone is getting into the feel of it, unlike other instruments, it has a way different feeling, and a bounce to its playing, that can be hard to master (bari sax player btw)
I have been playing since March 2017, I think it's quite easy. But I have been playing the guitar for years. I found to play the guitar licks on the sax has been a great way to open up the instrument.
I've been learning drums for the past 4 years now and I'm big into jazz. I'm considering whether I should learn the guitar/sax now. Your comparison was certainly insightful.
Hi! From the Philippines! (This is my mother's acc. Lol) I'm gonna turn 13 this year and I'll be studying Alto Saxophone. At first I wanted flute. But my instructor said I'll be better with the saxophone. Took a lot of time to think about it. But I already made my decision. Wish Me luck and may God Always Bless you!
Alto sax, great choice! Get a sax stand and keep your sax on it instead of in the case. You'll find yourself wanting to practice more because it will visible rather than hidden in its case. Also allow yourself at least 15 minutes after formal sax lessons to just play from your heart and what you feel without concentrating on hitting/reading particular notes. It will help you to get to know your instrument better as well as finding your own sound. Good luck!
A saxophone is right in the middle of hard and easy if you practice in at least 1-2 months. I had one but I don’t have it now but I want to buy one now it’s really fun, and if your thinking to get it get it.
I was not so much talking about playing trumpet being hard in general, but playing it at a high level and keeping your chops in shape (Playing 3 set gigs, etc) demands daily practice on the trumpet.
I love saxophone, I play at the college level and I find that it can be hard to motivate yourself to practice alot. SELF MOTIVATION is key in life, and in saxophone!
It's easy if you're o.k. with being an amateur. It's difficult if you have serious professional aspirations. This guy makes sense. Don't be fooled by the myth of easy.
been playing sax for about a month and already know a lot by teaching myself by only knowing the first three notes and now I know a lot! I used to play clarinet and my band teacher wanted me to double up on sax so I got one and already know a lot for only playing for a month. It takes time and patience. that's all
After trying for ages to play the sax I came across Takiras Music Method and it seems to be the simplest home study method (google it if you are interested)
Dont forget to be realistic - you will need to do a bit of work whichever system you decide on for learning to play saxophone I've been researching into teaching yourself sax and found a fantastic resource at Takiras music method (google it if you're interested)
After wanting for years to play the saxophone I discovered Takiras Music Method and it seems to be the simplest online system (google it if you are interested)
Remember to be realistic - you must do a bit of work whichever plan you choose for learning sax I have spent months researching into teaching yourself saxophone and discovered a fantastic website at Takiras music method (google it if you are interested)
Nice video man. You hit on what most people misunderstand about sax, and playing a lot of instruments actually. If your brain isn't trained to hear the correct sound of a tone and be constantly adjusting in real time you're always going to sound bad. With a piano or guitar the strings are tuned, you just have to hit the right key or fret. With sax you can play multiple notes without moving any keys just by changing your embouchure or airflow. I like to show people by playing most of a full scale with only the mouthpiece, gets the point across. Same for string instruments with bow pressure / speed and finger placement. Memorizing the fingering is easy but all the sound is made by your ears, brain, mouth and throat. It takes a lot of consistent work to get all these things working together to develop a good tone on the saxophone.
hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to discover saxophone lessons online try Vaxicorn Simple Saxophone Guide ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my buddy got excellent results with it.
Oh my God I'm about to switch from my trumpet to a tenor sax wow we have so much in common LOL I start in high school but I have the summer to practice 3 months wish me luck
I'm in 11th grade and I've played the trumpet for 5years but I quit band in school because it got boring fast. I'm wanting to switch to saxophone because it just seems like its a lot more beautiful sounding and less boring than the trumpet.
silas rogers I know this was 5 years ago 😂 but I quit band too and had played the trumpet up till middle school. I’m 24 and am thinking about picking up this instrument for fun. Figure there are some inexpensive ones, but I would love to get to the point of being able to play.
silas rogers I will say you should stick with music to some degree! You don’t have to quite make it your life passion, but keeping a grasp on it will definitely serve you well. Not to mention it’s exciting to talk to people who are passionate about something 😂
Piano is the easiest to learn but it really is the hardest to master in truth. Drums are not easy. I believe most drummers are born with that type of coordination. Its tough.
Alex Fenty Exactly, good drumming requires excellent coordination of limbs and skill with splitting the brain, especially for polyrhythms (multiple rhythms at once, ex.4/4 and 3/4 being played simultaneously)
@@siphiwomhlongo3688 I disagree. Complex piano music is far more challenging than the violin. Getting a good tone on the violin is very difficult, but the piano, just by it's nature, can play very complex music requiring the player to be able to play multiple parts at once, which makes it very difficult to master.
Thank's for this video. It's been years and years since my mother bought me a saxophone... I just met a girl who play's piano and it's just "wake me up" about how i always would like to play music and especially saxophone. Just like you said, saxophone sound is really close from human voice and that's the reasons that's get me in love with this instrument.... I hope i'll find the determination to finally learn... Take the time... One day, without any learning, i have take it and think about detective old movie and searching for the key... My sister, whitout any advice tells me "oh ! It's like detective movie song !" I was like... WTF ! I have to work !
As I became a junior in high school, now I’m going to be a senior. I learned a hard thing which is articulation. In some music I have to tongue notes and some where I only tongue the first note in phrase and slur the rest without tonguing in between. Also pushing the air is also a hard thing I had to learn that takes time.
Saxophone is pretty easy just remember the feeling of where your hands are and you'll memorize the hand position, and something you should start with is B A G and F E D, basically first part of mary had a little lamb. Also make sure to have a neck strap they can be pretty heavy.
I play the sax, guitar, piano, ukulele, and violin. The hardest one to learn for me was the piano. The violin is the hardest on my left arm. If you already know how to read notes, then all you have to learn is the fingering. Except for brass, and wind instruments you will need to learn how blow to produce the proper tone. Buy your instrument, and get a beginner book. Try to practice an hour a day, and your on your way. It's a lot of fun, and will open up a whole new world for anyone, and anyone can do it. If you feel frustrated, just put your instrument down for awhile. Never force yourself to complete the hour. Have fun, and enjoy.
I found that learning to play the alto saxophone was a lot easier to learn to play than the soprano saxophone. Even though the fingerings are exactly the same for both instruments, the embouchures are completely different. BTW: I play both both the trumpet and violin. I agree with you. The saxophone was a lot easier to learn to play when compared to both the violin and Bb trumpet.
I came here late but I’ve never played my sax for a year of owning alto not because I don’t want to but because i don’t know how to start, I’m starting this month though wish I could of started in middle school when so many took that sax position, will start learning now c:
it's easy to learn and pick up. I didn't play any type of instrument before 6th grade which is when we auditioned for concert band. I think it's easy since the key and note assignments are pretty easy. But it is hard to master
I just want to thank you, because I had doubts about this instrument, even though I love the sound of the saxophone, this video helped me a lot to decide whether to start playing or not (and yes, I will start), so thanks a lot :)
hi James, I have to disagree with your comments on Baritone, I just started playing saxophone and a Baritone (Antigua Power Bell) is my first one played. It did not take long to play scales and a tune, "Fly me to the moon", within a couple of days. It is heavy but with a "Sax holder" it is light. You must be joking about the tone, the lower register rocks! It sounds fabulous already and I know that I will be able to get the tone even better if needed over time. (Replaced the standard mouthpiece with a Vandoren V16 B7 with MO ligature) : D
Hey J, Thanks for the videos. Just bought a Yamaha Alto 275 for $600. Now just looking to sound proof my garage so I don't drive my neighbours crazy. haha
Very good analysis. As far as difficulty and playing in a way that is pleasing I put the flute up there with the violin. It's either going to sound beautiful or horrible. There doesn't seem to be an in between. And althought the flute is one of the smallest wind instruments it's beathe intensive given how much air is lost and not directly used in creating sound.
Of the sax family, I play Bass sax, Bari sax, Tenor sax, Alto sax, and Soprano sax. I would believe saxophone may be one of the easiest instruments to learn, but one of the hardest to master, and play greatly.
I played all through Jr.High and High School. I could read and improvise on blues in F but never got a tone like Sanborn or Brecker or Garbereck or Getz or Dexter Gordon. I would like to go back so I could apply my current knowledge of music theory harmony and melodic construction.
I don't know how difficult violin or horns are, as I don't have any experience with them at all. I have expertise in voice. I started with guitar, with electric guitar being "easier" than acoustic (lower action and smaller, thinner fretboard). Bass guitar can be "easy" depending on what you're doing. Guitars, you have to be able to get a tone first, same as you do with sax. Unlikely you'll walk away from a first lesson able to do a bar chord, but YOU COULD do a 2-note "power chord" or 5 chord. Voice also took a LONG time to get the right tone. After that, I was singing lead and the band MADE ME play keys, as keys players are hard to find, they're never free, and "You're not doing anything else..." lol. To do that, I had to be able to read sheet (music) on songs I know extremely well in order to memorize them. NOBODY in rock EVER uses sheet that I've ever seen. At least not where you're seen. Drums, my 2nd proficient instrument, well, the big thing there is knowing how to count and getting the variants of "the basic beat down." Someone drummers are "easy" such as Phil Collins or Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) BUT they do have a ridiculous amount of feel, and that's where the work is. The feel makes it sound so great. Plus, knowing how to make a VERY simple rock or disco beat sound like something cute girls want to dance to, is a trick only one in a 100 drummers ever masters. In the case of drums. you're also probably leading the band, unless the bass player is doing it. That means, (as it always does, but more so) you have to pay attention to other people WHILE you play. Record EVERYTHING. 90% of it will be better or a lot worse than you think, or just wrong for the song. Or the wrong part completely. A cell phone can easily do so reliably. Use a sound recorder function just to expedite things.
HI there i find the sax is really easy for me as like to improvise where i can, as i sued to play Clarinet and i gave that up as i found it impossible, so I play mainly Alto, Tenor and sometime Soprano, but may be considering Sopranino. I also play Piano and use this to get idea of arrangements that i can improvse around the Sax
I started learning saxophone two weeks ago. I practice at least 1 hour a day. The hardest for me is positioning my lips against the reed and "tongue'ing", I often times get a thinner sound. Aside from that reading notes and "fingering" isn't a problem for me. My teacher said saxophone is among the hardest instrument to learn.
Your mouth should be very relaxed actually. Just enough tension to keep the air in and under control. but not more. I go more in depth about this in my manual. You might want to check that out.
I used to play sax and xylophone back in primary school im in year 12 now but completely forgot how to play and i want to learn again, its been eating at me for a while now
I play the alto saxophone, I have been playing for about 5 months with one lesson a week and I am already in county band and I am on grade 4, I would consider the saxophone quite an easy instrument except for the fact that some of the low notes are pretty hard, hope this helps someone xxx
Celia Subin your welcome, it depends how determined you are to get to a certain grade, as I said before after 5 months I am already half way through all the grades, by the time I get back I might be on grade 5, I am very musical though, I also play piano and am thinking about starting flute and then after about a year of that I might start the violin or the viola, I love music it is one of my hobbies, hope this helped x
+Celia Subin 2 years is a bit stretched. I have already played in front of a church audience twice and I have been playing for about 9 months. Although I can't say much. I am already outplaying people who have been playing for 3-4 years. But still, if you decide to start playing the saxophone, you will definitely love it.
Interesting question. It's hard at first but it also takes lots of practice like all musical instruments. It's kind of a question you hear from people who want everything to be easy.
I think different people have different difficulties with different types of instruments for me it was easy to learn saxophone and difficult with trombone while it was the opposite for my brother
i play trumpet and violin, but i wanna play saxophone instead of trumpet. i’d say i’m quite good at trumpet, so i’m hoping someday when i get a sax i can play that aswell.
i played trumpet for 9 years...blowing raspberries in a metal hole is not hard..or least is was not for me...but the first month, your lips will feel like they were split.. and it hurts..but then you get used to it..then the sound gets better..i started in 5th grade, and was on the field marching by that summer going into 6th grade..while most of the beginner class was still in beginners classes..SO NOW FOR ME TO DO TENOR SAX...and i will do it.
Great video! I absolutely love the saxophone! Interesting background story about me, I'm an avid swing dancer and I often dance to live swing bands and you are so right when you say that people just love the sound of the saxophone! I know I do! I already play the piano, but I want to expand my musical skills and learn the saxophone. I am currently working on learning the harmonica (baby steps). Anyways, great video! Will definitely check out some of your stuff!
I think you kind off demotivated me, I already play drums and guitar, but I think I will start sax anyway and I hope I can proof you wrong on what you said about tone ;)
Brass is really difficult for me though some might be lucky and find it easy. Saxophone is actually easier than a recorder (and i dont consider the recorder to be particularly easy if you want to sound good). Sax looks intimidating to play but all those buttons are really there to make your life easier.
HelloSaxophone Thanks for the advice! I'm sure they will appreciate the flowers! Just curious - since I am in a condo and have neighbors, I was wondering about one of those EWI 4000/5000 instruments. I'm sure a real sax is desirable but for practicing, I'm wondering if the fingering / air control is similar with the EWI? Do you have any comments on one of those instruments? One could wear earphones, of course. Thanks!
Charles Gage Playing on an EWI will help in no such way compared to practicing with an actual instrument. too many to list man. have you tried to sound proof a small room?
RobinHood East Thanks for the reply! Hmm... well, I will have to work on that. Maybe stuff a sock in the bell or something. I'll see what I can do! Thanks, again!
Haha no no no. You can use foam around doors and windows which make sound harder to escape the room, if you've seen studios you'll notice jagged black pyramid all over the place. these help sound proof the room
thanks man. my first today and i try i try again and again no sound.. but that little wood war the problem. y will try tomorrow thank you for this video
I am 12 years old and i have played for 1 1/2 years and the saxophone is pretty easy but mastering it is difficult. For the past months i feel like i barely made any progress on my tone.
Hey man, I was also wondering about it. I was always a little reluctant to try because I figured it would be pretty hard, but the way you explained it seems like I would be a good fit for me. I currently play the piano on a regular basis, and I also played the trumpet for about 8 years while in school for the band. I love playing music and have always wondered if I should try the saxophone out. Thank you for this video. It was what made my decision.
I’m thinking of switching from Trumpet to Saxophone because we lost our lead saxophone in band and since he left the entire band has seemed quite empty and i would love to help my band out😳
The sax is actual easier to play complicated pieces with if you get good practice and muscle memory reading music. You have to warm up though because your reed needs to get flexible.
You have a great way of explaining things. I enjoy your instruction. I have been playing for a long time but was never taught by a sax player so i'm trying to break bad habits and learn the correct way to do things to improve my sax playing. Thank you for your videos.
Blow loud and raw is relativ easy. Blow songs with good sound and tempo, is relativ hard. And play in professional level, with excellent sound, realy good, warm and beauty, is the work of your entire live. Requires a lot of practice, patience, time and self conviction.
The saxophone is the best instrument in band no other instrument can compare sorry guys but yes the saxophone is hard especially if you don’t practice but good luck to the future saxophone players trust me the saxophone is a instrument worth playing
All my siblings know how to play at least one instrument and I’ve tried a few, like guitar and piano but I just don’t like them. I think I want to venture out from what is commonly used because my sister is taking violin lessons. I got a gut feeling that maybe my instrument is the saxophone (lol I sound like a kid who doesn’t know what’s coming).
You would be surprised how many sax players play the French horn and vise versa. I myself started playing sax in 8th grade after playing piano for several years. The main thing it comes down to is which one you like more. Don't stick with something you don't like, or don't regret not doing something you'd would have liked way more.
+Dan which is harder to play? Sax or piano? I know they're very different instruments but if it had to come down to one, which would you say is easier to play?
They both have their unique difficulties. I will try to keep this as organized as possible but since I'm writing a youtube comment and not a thesis I won't worry too much. The short version is that the sax is, overall, harder to play. One of the major differences is that with a saxophone, you have to dedicate much of your practice time to building your tone and working on your embrochure (mouth muscles). On the other hand, the piano makes the sound for you when you press the keys down. The second major difference is that piano players are, for the most part, forced to play many notes at a time. A saxophone can only play ine note at a time (unless you get into multiphonics, but that's a story for another day). Both use one of the same basic technical foundations: finger coordination. If you are good at typing this will come easier to you. With the saxophone, though, as I stated before, you must also create the sound yourself, which requires coordination of the jaw, throat, tongue, lungs, AND the fingers. I've found that good multitaskers have the potential to be good piano players, as the playing is divided between your two hands, and requires separation and training to play two different melodies and/or rhythms at the same time (I still play some jazz piano now and then and still struggle with that part of it). What is equally difficult on both, because it is the same for both, is music theory, creativity, phrasing, etc. Playing melodically and harmonically is difficult on any instrument you play. Other things to consider: A saxophone can be very loud. Do you have irritable neighbors? A saxophone is much cheaper than a real piano but keyboards cana be cheaper than saxes. How much money do you have? A piano is massive. A saxophone is small and can be taken anywhere. How much do you travel? Do you own a semi truck or Uhaul do transport your piano with? What style of music do you plan on playing? Etc. Don't get discouraged when you pick up the sax and it sounds like a dying goose. We all sounded that way the first time we played. Also, one thing I forgot. A long time ago, as an eighth grader who practiced as regularly as possible, I was able to sound halfway decent within a year and within 2 I was performing complex classical solos and getting a good foothold on jazz improvisation. I was able to sound good on piano within a couple months. Also one more thing to consider: How much practice time do you have? You will need more to get good at sax. Hope this helped. Sorry if it is unorganized.
+Dan Wow! Thank you for all of the good tips! Personally, I am coming from the Viola. I really enjoy the sound and feel that the saxophone gives.. I've been in the orchestra for 3 years. Now, I'm in 8th grade and want to switch over to the sax.. any tips for someone coming from an instrument such as viola, violin? etc
In my experience, (5 years alto and tenor) sax is easy to learn. Difficult to master.
nestor cabrera try drums :)
As one person put it: "the saxophone is the easiest instrument in the world to play BADLY and hardest instrument in the world to play with FINESSE."
If you want to learn how to play the saxophone like a pro then go here: HootSax. info
so true
Michelle M Drums are crazy hard if you want to get really good, especially with polyrhythms (something most instrument players (including myself) have barely ever heard of)
Getting my first sax today, a used 1960's alto from france. Wish my luck!
Very late but you can do it!! 👍
I've played the alto sax for four years in school, but I still need to get my own. Im looking forward to playing it even more in highschool
Terminal Passage wow, that's old man good luck
Thanks, I have not put enough time in yet but I have slowly become less terrible ^^
hows it going?
The important thing is loving the instrument (the sound it makes) and giving up other things and spend time practicing on daily basis. When I started learning violin everybody told me that I was going to have a hard time and I had. But I had a teacher and I spent 2-3hours practicing everyday. After one month I was already playing basic songs like Twinkle Little Star and Silent Night. With the sax and any other instrument is the same thing. DEDICATION is the key word !
+Fernando Leite I played the violin steadily but not crazily for about 15 years before my relatives couldnt tell if it was me or the stereo. He is right, with instruments where you have to create the sound with your movement it takes a while before a note sounds pleasant to the ear.
Long story short.
Saxophone isn't hard to play.
If you're musical that is.
interesting points ,if anyone else is searching for how to learn to play the saxophone try Vaxicorn Simple Saxophone Guide (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my co-worker got great success with it.
Robert David Bauti
sta
What this guy is saying in the video is bullshit. It isn't hard to play at all. Granted, I am a pianist by background. I played like this dutch guy in the video (actually truth to be told a tad better, after viewing a few of his playing videos), after a 1 month short of year of practicing. And I would consider myself even now mediocre at best. This level of tone and playing is not at all hard to achieve. I would say 1 year max, if you have a bit of talent and a rudimentary understanding of scales and chords from earlier.
It's absolutely the easiest blowing instrument by far. Pick a trumpet of a flute for real challenge. Those things require actual talent. And I've played them all.
Robert David Bautista i
Electronic Addict i play Guitar and Violin already. I'm starting on Sax very soon. I hope i'm good. 😁
II really like your style of communication. You come across as very laidback, ie. cool. I'm 55 years old retired, and purchased a very well maintained alto Yamaha YAS 23, saxophone a few months ago. Your videos really help. I live in the middle of nowhere prairie Southern Manitoba Canada; so there's no one around to teach me. At least I don't squeak anymore. Scales are my current challenge, and hitting the low C and B consistently without only blowing a hiss and no note. I can read sheet music, from my few childhood piano lessons, so it helps to learn a new song. I've also taken your advice to just have fun with it and attempt to play along with music. That really gets me thinking about which key to press for the right note. Maybe some day I will order your lessons. Pension is a tad small. Thx again!
how its going on?
the hardest part of the saxophone is getting into the feel of it, unlike other instruments, it has a way different feeling, and a bounce to its playing, that can be hard to master
(bari sax player btw)
Congratulations, you are the only dutch person in the world who can pronounce the letter v!
Saxophone is an easy instrument to play..... badly..
Don't worry,, you didn't demotivate me, you gave me even more inspiration. Thank you.
I have been playing since March 2017, I think it's quite easy. But I have been playing the guitar for years. I found to play the guitar licks on the sax has been a great way to open up the instrument.
I've been learning drums for the past 4 years now and I'm big into jazz. I'm considering whether I should learn the guitar/sax now. Your comparison was certainly insightful.
The saxophone is easy to learn, but hard to master
Perfectly said
No one can truly master an instrument. Am I correct?
Josh Blanton Not correct. Check out the Benny Goodman. Mastered the clarinet, and in my opinion, one of the most underrated instrumentalists.
Rajeev Sahu Eh, alot of instruments are hard to play and hard to master.
Flute
Tuba
just a few ideas
Josh Blanton unless you sell your soul.
Violin:
-Hard to learn
-Hard to master
Paradox _ Max somewhat true i used to play violin and it’s not hard to learn but it’s certainly hard to master
@@snowantric7370 i agree
true
I have had my violin for like a whole 2 years and still don’t know what Im doing
Hi! From the Philippines! (This is my mother's acc. Lol)
I'm gonna turn 13 this year and I'll be studying Alto Saxophone.
At first I wanted flute.
But my instructor said I'll be better with the saxophone.
Took a lot of time to think about it. But I already made my decision. Wish Me luck and may God Always Bless you!
Alto sax, great choice! Get a sax stand and keep your sax on it instead of in the case. You'll find yourself wanting to practice more because it will visible rather than hidden in its case. Also allow yourself at least 15 minutes after formal sax lessons to just play from your heart and what you feel without concentrating on hitting/reading particular notes. It will help you to get to know your instrument better as well as finding your own sound. Good luck!
I am considering to play the saxophone and this really helped
A saxophone is right in the middle of hard and easy if you practice in at least 1-2 months.
I had one but I don’t have it now but I want to buy one now it’s really fun, and if your thinking to get it get it.
I was not so much talking about playing trumpet being hard in general, but playing it at a high level and keeping your chops in shape (Playing 3 set gigs, etc) demands daily practice on the trumpet.
Played trumpet for 5 yrs. I left it cause of college, but I feel the need to get into music again. I’m considering saxophone
do it! :)
The intonation in Soprano is a herculean task, the embouchure has to be spot on!
I love saxophone, I play at the college level and I find that it can be hard to motivate yourself to practice alot. SELF MOTIVATION is key in life, and in saxophone!
It's easy if you're o.k. with being an amateur. It's difficult if you have serious professional aspirations. This guy makes sense. Don't be fooled by the myth of easy.
i like this video, i love the saxophone, i am gonna get one asap to start practicing, i hope i can get as good as you one day, thanks
been playing sax for about a month and already know a lot by teaching myself by only knowing the first three notes and now I know a lot!
I used to play clarinet and my band teacher wanted me to double up on sax so I got one and already know a lot for only playing for a month. It takes time and patience. that's all
Had a similar interest recently. This was well nicely articulated. Thank you.
Think the guy is dutch?
yes he is ;)
After trying for ages to play the sax I came across Takiras Music Method and it seems to be the simplest home study method (google it if you are interested)
Dont forget to be realistic - you will need to do a bit of work whichever system you decide on for learning to play saxophone I've been researching into teaching yourself sax and found a fantastic resource at Takiras music method (google it if you're interested)
After wanting for years to play the saxophone I discovered Takiras Music Method and it seems to be the simplest online system (google it if you are interested)
Remember to be realistic - you must do a bit of work whichever plan you choose for learning sax I have spent months researching into teaching yourself saxophone and discovered a fantastic website at Takiras music method (google it if you are interested)
Nice video man. You hit on what most people misunderstand about sax, and playing a lot of instruments actually. If your brain isn't trained to hear the correct sound of a tone and be constantly adjusting in real time you're always going to sound bad. With a piano or guitar the strings are tuned, you just have to hit the right key or fret. With sax you can play multiple notes without moving any keys just by changing your embouchure or airflow. I like to show people by playing most of a full scale with only the mouthpiece, gets the point across. Same for string instruments with bow pressure / speed and finger placement. Memorizing the fingering is easy but all the sound is made by your ears, brain, mouth and throat. It takes a lot of consistent work to get all these things working together to develop a good tone on the saxophone.
Every instrument is easy to learn. But the mastery of the instrument takes a lifetime.
After watching this a few months ago I decided to switch to the sax from the trumpet. I couldn't be happier with my choice. Thank you.
wow that's great to hear :)
hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to discover saxophone lessons online try Vaxicorn Simple Saxophone Guide ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my buddy got excellent results with it.
Oh my God I'm about to switch from my trumpet to a tenor sax wow we have so much in common LOL I start in high school but I have the summer to practice 3 months wish me luck
TRAITOR!
I'm in 11th grade and I've played the trumpet for 5years but I quit band in school because it got boring fast. I'm wanting to switch to saxophone because it just seems like its a lot more beautiful sounding and less boring than the trumpet.
silas rogers I know this was 5 years ago 😂 but I quit band too and had played the trumpet up till middle school. I’m 24 and am thinking about picking up this instrument for fun. Figure there are some inexpensive ones, but I would love to get to the point of being able to play.
silas rogers I will say you should stick with music to some degree! You don’t have to quite make it your life passion, but keeping a grasp on it will definitely serve you well. Not to mention it’s exciting to talk to people who are passionate about something 😂
I think Piano is the easiest instrument to learn, and yet the hardest to master!
Piano is the easiest to learn but it really is the hardest to master in truth. Drums are not easy. I believe most drummers are born with that type of coordination. Its tough.
Alex Fenty Exactly, good drumming requires excellent coordination of limbs and skill with splitting the brain, especially for polyrhythms (multiple rhythms at once, ex.4/4 and 3/4 being played simultaneously)
Ramsay (The Sausage Boy) Bolton Piano the easiest? No way. Guitar is by the easier.
Nope, it can't be the hardest to master when the Violin is still around. Easy to learn, hard to master but definitely not the hardest
@@siphiwomhlongo3688 I disagree. Complex piano music is far more challenging than the violin. Getting a good tone on the violin is very difficult, but the piano, just by it's nature, can play very complex music requiring the player to be able to play multiple parts at once, which makes it very difficult to master.
Thank's for this video. It's been years and years since my mother bought me a saxophone... I just met a girl who play's piano and it's just "wake me up" about how i always would like to play music and especially saxophone. Just like you said, saxophone sound is really close from human voice and that's the reasons that's get me in love with this instrument.... I hope i'll find the determination to finally learn... Take the time... One day, without any learning, i have take it and think about detective old movie and searching for the key... My sister, whitout any advice tells me "oh ! It's like detective movie song !" I was like... WTF ! I have to work !
As I became a junior in high school, now I’m going to be a senior. I learned a hard thing which is articulation. In some music I have to tongue notes and some where I only tongue the first note in phrase and slur the rest without tonguing in between. Also pushing the air is also a hard thing I had to learn that takes time.
Saxophone is pretty easy just remember the feeling of where your hands are and you'll memorize the hand position, and something you should start with is B A G and F E D, basically first part of mary had a little lamb. Also make sure to have a neck strap they can be pretty heavy.
I play the sax, guitar, piano, ukulele, and violin. The hardest one to learn for me was the piano. The violin is the hardest on my left arm. If you already know how to read notes, then all you have to learn is the fingering. Except for brass, and wind instruments you will need to learn how blow to produce the proper tone. Buy your instrument, and get a beginner book. Try to practice an hour a day, and your on your way. It's a lot of fun, and will open up a whole new world for anyone, and anyone can do it. If you feel frustrated, just put your instrument down for awhile. Never force yourself to complete the hour. Have fun, and enjoy.
I found that learning to play the alto saxophone was a lot easier to learn to play than the soprano saxophone. Even though the fingerings are exactly the same for both instruments, the embouchures are completely different. BTW: I play both both the trumpet and violin. I agree with you. The saxophone was a lot easier to learn to play when compared to both the violin and Bb trumpet.
The guitar is the easiest thing I think. I self taught myself and I'm pretty good. My friend self taught himself electric guitar and he's amazing.
I came here late but I’ve never played my sax for a year of owning alto not because I don’t want to but because i don’t know how to start, I’m starting this month though wish I could of started in middle school when so many took that sax position, will start learning now c:
it's easy to learn and pick up. I didn't play any type of instrument before 6th grade which is when we auditioned for concert band. I think it's easy since the key and note assignments are pretty easy. But it is hard to master
Is it true that saxophonist are really good kisser?
mellow step absolutely ;)
Hell yeah!
mellow step Hahaha
mellow step ...good cunilingus too
mellow step hell yeah
i ply ten trumpet 🎺, but i also wanna play the saxophone 🎷 for many reasons, but they just seem really cool to me.
Try it! :)
I just want to thank you, because I had doubts about this instrument, even though I love the sound of the saxophone, this video helped me a lot to decide whether to start playing or not (and yes, I will start), so thanks a lot :)
very good video, thanks for taking the time to explain... really interested in learning how to play this instrument!!
hi James, I have to disagree with your comments on Baritone, I just started playing saxophone and a Baritone (Antigua Power Bell) is my first one played. It did not take long to play scales and a tune, "Fly me to the moon", within a couple of days. It is heavy but with a "Sax holder" it is light. You must be joking about the tone, the lower register rocks! It sounds fabulous already and I know that I will be able to get the tone even better if needed over time. (Replaced the standard mouthpiece with a Vandoren V16 B7 with MO ligature) : D
I like saxophone very much too.
Hey J, Thanks for the videos. Just bought a Yamaha Alto 275 for $600. Now just looking to sound proof my garage so I don't drive my neighbours crazy. haha
Very good analysis. As far as difficulty and playing in a way that is pleasing I put the flute up there with the violin. It's either going to sound beautiful or horrible. There doesn't seem to be an in between. And althought the flute is one of the smallest wind instruments it's beathe intensive given how much air is lost and not directly used in creating sound.
Bedankt voor je uitleg
You make all good points
Of the sax family, I play Bass sax, Bari sax, Tenor sax, Alto sax, and Soprano sax. I would believe saxophone may be one of the easiest instruments to learn, but one of the hardest to master, and play greatly.
I played all through Jr.High and High School. I could read and improvise on blues in F but never got a tone like Sanborn or Brecker or Garbereck or Getz or Dexter Gordon. I would like to go back so I could apply my current knowledge of music theory harmony and melodic construction.
I don't know how difficult violin or horns are, as I don't have any experience with them at all.
I have expertise in voice. I started with guitar, with electric guitar being "easier" than acoustic (lower action and smaller, thinner fretboard). Bass guitar can be "easy" depending on what you're doing. Guitars, you have to be able to get a tone first, same as you do with sax. Unlikely you'll walk away from a first lesson able to do a bar chord, but YOU COULD do a 2-note "power chord" or 5 chord.
Voice also took a LONG time to get the right tone. After that, I was singing lead and the band MADE ME play keys, as keys players are hard to find, they're never free, and "You're not doing anything else..." lol. To do that, I had to be able to read sheet (music) on songs I know extremely well in order to memorize them. NOBODY in rock EVER uses sheet that I've ever seen. At least not where you're seen.
Drums, my 2nd proficient instrument, well, the big thing there is knowing how to count and getting the variants of "the basic beat down." Someone drummers are "easy" such as Phil Collins or Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) BUT they do have a ridiculous amount of feel, and that's where the work is. The feel makes it sound so great. Plus, knowing how to make a VERY simple rock or disco beat sound like something cute girls want to dance to, is a trick only one in a 100 drummers ever masters. In the case of drums. you're also probably leading the band, unless the bass player is doing it. That means, (as it always does, but more so) you have to pay attention to other people WHILE you play. Record EVERYTHING. 90% of it will be better or a lot worse than you think, or just wrong for the song. Or the wrong part completely. A cell phone can easily do so reliably. Use a sound recorder function just to expedite things.
Good advice thanks mate
HI there i find the sax is really easy for me as like to improvise where i can, as i sued to play Clarinet and i gave that up as i found it impossible, so I play mainly Alto, Tenor and sometime Soprano, but may be considering Sopranino. I also play Piano and use this to get idea of arrangements that i can improvse around the Sax
I started learning saxophone two weeks ago. I practice at least 1 hour a day. The hardest for me is positioning my lips against the reed and "tongue'ing", I often times get a thinner sound. Aside from that reading notes and "fingering" isn't a problem for me. My teacher said saxophone is among the hardest instrument to learn.
how you doin now?
dankjewel zeer informatieve video.
Hello. thaanks for your advice. i consider playing sax but i don t know which one :(( keep it that way you re great. peace and love
I've been playing the bass clarinet for four years now, I will soon begin playing the tenor sax.
Is their a way to muffle the sound enough to practice in an apartment?
I used to put a bandana in the bell an I remember it working.
+patrick evans thanks. I'll definitely try it
A cloth in the bell can help a bit
a soprano can be quieter since its smaller :)
Google e-sax mute
Your mouth should be very relaxed actually. Just enough tension to keep the air in and under control. but not more. I go more in depth about this in my manual. You might want to check that out.
You explained this very well. Thank you. 🎷💖
Would it be easier if I already played trumpet?
I used to play sax and xylophone back in primary school im in year 12 now but completely forgot how to play and i want to learn again, its been eating at me for a while now
I play the alto saxophone, I have been playing for about 5 months with one lesson a week and I am already in county band and I am on grade 4, I would consider the saxophone quite an easy instrument except for the fact that some of the low notes are pretty hard, hope this helps someone xxx
Celia Subin your welcome, it depends how determined you are to get to a certain grade, as I said before after 5 months I am already half way through all the grades, by the time I get back I might be on grade 5, I am very musical though, I also play piano and am thinking about starting flute and then after about a year of that I might start the violin or the viola, I love music it is one of my hobbies, hope this helped x
+Celia Subin 2 years is a bit stretched. I have already played in front of a church audience twice and I have been playing for about 9 months. Although I can't say much. I am already outplaying people who have been playing for 3-4 years. But still, if you decide to start playing the saxophone, you will definitely love it.
Ali RockItWithMusic, here's a tip for low notes: Drop your chin until you get use to it.
Thank you good video 😊
Interesting question. It's hard at first but it also takes lots of practice like all musical instruments. It's kind of a question you hear from people who want everything to be easy.
I think different people have different difficulties with different types of instruments for me it was easy to learn saxophone and difficult with trombone while it was the opposite for my brother
i play trumpet and violin, but i wanna play saxophone instead of trumpet. i’d say i’m quite good at trumpet, so i’m hoping someday when i get a sax i can play that aswell.
i played trumpet for 9 years...blowing raspberries in a metal hole is not hard..or least is was not for me...but the first month, your lips will feel like they were split.. and it hurts..but then you get used to it..then the sound gets better..i started in 5th grade, and was on the field marching by that summer going into 6th grade..while most of the beginner class was still in beginners classes..SO NOW FOR ME TO DO TENOR SAX...and i will do it.
Great video! I absolutely love the saxophone! Interesting background story about me, I'm an avid swing dancer and I often dance to live swing bands and you are so right when you say that people just love the sound of the saxophone! I know I do! I already play the piano, but I want to expand my musical skills and learn the saxophone. I am currently working on learning the harmonica (baby steps). Anyways, great video! Will definitely check out some of your stuff!
I think you kind off demotivated me, I already play drums and guitar, but I think I will start sax anyway and I hope I can proof you wrong on what you said about tone ;)
Brass is really difficult for me though some might be lucky and find it easy. Saxophone is actually easier than a recorder (and i dont consider the recorder to be particularly easy if you want to sound good). Sax looks intimidating to play but all those buttons are really there to make your life easier.
Thank you
I'm 12 and I'm just learning to play the Saxophone
me too
well done go for it...its beautiful
same
Same
Kar'Lee Edwards 16 now
Im only a beginner with an Alto Saxophone and I aint complaining its only when I play in crowds
I play Trumpet but i think this is really easy
Thx for the video you really helped me
thanks that helped i am getting saxophone for middle school
+outgamer 543 BE CAREFUL IT CAN BE ADDICTING
Helped a lot ...thanks👍💚😊
Very good explanation! Thanks! Of course, living in a condo, I'm not going to be a good neighbor while I practice!
send flowers often ;)
HelloSaxophone Thanks for the advice! I'm sure they will appreciate the flowers!
Just curious - since I am in a condo and have neighbors, I was wondering about one of those EWI 4000/5000 instruments. I'm sure a real sax is desirable but for practicing, I'm wondering if the fingering / air control is similar with the EWI? Do you have any comments on one of those instruments? One could wear earphones, of course. Thanks!
Charles Gage Playing on an EWI will help in no such way compared to practicing with an actual instrument. too many to list man. have you tried to sound proof a small room?
RobinHood East Thanks for the reply! Hmm... well, I will have to work on that. Maybe stuff a sock in the bell or something. I'll see what I can do! Thanks, again!
Haha no no no. You can use foam around doors and windows which make sound harder to escape the room, if you've seen studios you'll notice jagged black pyramid all over the place. these help sound proof the room
thanks man. my first today
and i try i try again and again no sound.. but that little wood war the problem. y will try tomorrow thank you for this video
I am 12 years old and i have played for 1 1/2 years and the saxophone is pretty easy but mastering it is difficult. For the past months i feel like i barely made any progress on my tone.
i have been playin trumpet for 4 years and would saxophone be a good instrument to try
If u can play the recorder most of the fingerings on the alto at the same
Hey man, I was also wondering about it. I was always a little reluctant to try because I figured it would be pretty hard, but the way you explained it seems like I would be a good fit for me. I currently play the piano on a regular basis, and I also played the trumpet for about 8 years while in school for the band. I love playing music and have always wondered if I should try the saxophone out. Thank you for this video. It was what made my decision.
just go for the sax if that is what you feel :)
I appreciate the advice. I will truly take that into consideration when making my final decision
Thanks a lot!!
I’m thinking of switching from Trumpet to Saxophone because we lost our lead saxophone in band and since he left the entire band has seemed quite empty and i would love to help my band out😳
do it :) (y)
Thanks!
honest advice
thanks 🙏
I like to master playing all the instruments like most of everyone here!!!
i am a trumpet player and i find it fairly easy to play
The sax is actual easier to play complicated pieces with if you get good practice and muscle memory reading music. You have to warm up though because your reed needs to get flexible.
I think the hardest instrument is the first one you learn in the categories of string, winds, and piano in its own category.
I play the alto sax and it was hard at first but after one school year it's easy
thank you dude..that's was rly nice
You have a great way of explaining things. I enjoy your instruction. I have been playing for a long time but was never taught by a sax player so i'm trying to break bad habits and learn the correct way to do things to improve my sax playing. Thank you for your videos.
Blow loud and raw is relativ easy.
Blow songs with good sound and tempo, is relativ hard.
And play in professional level, with excellent sound, realy good, warm and beauty, is the work of your entire live. Requires a lot of practice, patience, time and self conviction.
great video
The saxophone is the best instrument in band no other instrument can compare sorry guys but yes the saxophone is hard especially if you don’t practice but good luck to the future saxophone players trust me the saxophone is a instrument worth playing
All my siblings know how to play at least one instrument and I’ve tried a few, like guitar and piano but I just don’t like them. I think I want to venture out from what is commonly used because my sister is taking violin lessons. I got a gut feeling that maybe my instrument is the saxophone (lol I sound like a kid who doesn’t know what’s coming).
So I'm in 7th grade, I already play French horn if that matters, and I'm thinking about getting a saxophone any pros or cons?
You would be surprised how many sax players play the French horn and vise versa. I myself started playing sax in 8th grade after playing piano for several years. The main thing it comes down to is which one you like more. Don't stick with something you don't like, or don't regret not doing something you'd would have liked way more.
+Dan which is harder to play? Sax or piano? I know they're very different instruments but if it had to come down to one, which would you say is easier to play?
They both have their unique difficulties. I will try to keep this as organized as possible but since I'm writing a youtube comment and not a thesis I won't worry too much.
The short version is that the sax is, overall, harder to play. One of the major differences is that with a saxophone, you have to dedicate much of your practice time to building your tone and working on your embrochure (mouth muscles). On the other hand, the piano makes the sound for you when you press the keys down. The second major difference is that piano players are, for the most part, forced to play many notes at a time. A saxophone can only play ine note at a time (unless you get into multiphonics, but that's a story for another day). Both use one of the same basic technical foundations: finger coordination. If you are good at typing this will come easier to you. With the saxophone, though, as I stated before, you must also create the sound yourself, which requires coordination of the jaw, throat, tongue, lungs, AND the fingers. I've found that good multitaskers have the potential to be good piano players, as the playing is divided between your two hands, and requires separation and training to play two different melodies and/or rhythms at the same time (I still play some jazz piano now and then and still struggle with that part of it).
What is equally difficult on both, because it is the same for both, is music theory, creativity, phrasing, etc. Playing melodically and harmonically is difficult on any instrument you play.
Other things to consider:
A saxophone can be very loud. Do you have irritable neighbors?
A saxophone is much cheaper than a real piano but keyboards cana be cheaper than saxes. How much money do you have?
A piano is massive. A saxophone is small and can be taken anywhere. How much do you travel? Do you own a semi truck or Uhaul do transport your piano with?
What style of music do you plan on playing?
Etc.
Don't get discouraged when you pick up the sax and it sounds like a dying goose. We all sounded that way the first time we played.
Also, one thing I forgot. A long time ago, as an eighth grader who practiced as regularly as possible, I was able to sound halfway decent within a year and within 2 I was performing complex classical solos and getting a good foothold on jazz improvisation. I was able to sound good on piano within a couple months.
Also one more thing to consider:
How much practice time do you have? You will need more to get good at sax.
Hope this helped. Sorry if it is unorganized.
+Dan thank you!!!! This was very helpful!!!!
+Dan Wow! Thank you for all of the good tips! Personally, I am coming from the Viola. I really enjoy the sound and feel that the saxophone gives.. I've been in the orchestra for 3 years. Now, I'm in 8th grade and want to switch over to the sax.. any tips for someone coming from an instrument such as viola, violin? etc