Fantastic, honest review. I have played and taught all woodwind instruments from flute to bassoon and from soprano to bass. I had to give many years ago after damaging my mouth and teeth in a car accident and was looking into this as a way to simply have something to play at home. I guess the answer for me is to try it and see. Thank you so much.
I played the saxophone as a youngen up to grade 5. I do not personally own one anymore but like many things in life I like to start and stop. I am thinking about buying one to get back into it just for fun. I think this is a good starting point.
I appreciate this review a lot. I'm a trombone and guitar player looking to try a reed instrument out. I really like the sound of the jsax and have always been drawn towards cute novelty instruments. This has definitely given me a bit of pause, but I still think I might buy this mostly for the convenience of taking this to work to play on break, I would never do that with a rental
I don't know, I can hear that it died out a couple of times but overall it is a very good performance and it sounds pretty good but this has to do with you too, you are a pro player. Also a major pro for this is that it only requires cleaning, no repairs or much trouble. I am afraid of buying a 300euro sax and realise that it is not for me so I will probably go for this one, the service you said does not exist in my country as far as I know unfortunately. Thanks for your videos and your honesty though!
I bought one just to have a small instrument I could take outside and play around with. Does it compare with a real sax? Not really, but it’s fun. Plus, it’s waterproof. Clarinet is my main instrument, but I do also own a real alto sax.
An adult player really needs to do two things to this instrument: (i) replace the upper section and bell with the optional straight, more soprano-like alternatives provided by the manufacturer - the hunched posture that results from trying to play the thing as it comes out of the box is awkward and distracting - and (ii) ditch those horrible plastic reeds before you start and replace them with cane Eb clarinet reeds. The manufacturer suggests the latter as an option after some progress has been made, but these two minor upgrades turn this little beast into a much more tractable instrument (e.g. making it easier to improve the intonation using embouchure technique).
Played saxophone through college and I just bought one of these to mess around with doing field work and backpacking. I'de be more excited about it if it weren't for the limited range but for $50 used on ebay it's not bad.
Hola,el problema de este saxo es la boquilla y la caña de plastico,si cambias la boquilla por una saxo sopran con una caña de madera creo que podría solucionarse el problema,yo tengo uno y lo he probado con boquilla de saxo soprano y esos problemas han desparecido,espero que os aporte algo mi comentario,un saludo
What about those that play the sax and may have their own instrument, but maybe want something more convenient for at a desk say, and quieter to play in the house?
Very great videos and honest feedbacks. Is this instrument volume loud? Is it suitable for playing (or starting practicing) in an apartment without disturbing so much the neighbours with it? I was first looking for an electronic alternative until I found your videos and the warm timber (but limited possibilities) this instrument has
It is difficult to tell you exactly how loud it is - it is much louder than an acoustic guitar but it is not as loud as an alto sax. Thank you for contacting me and watching my video ☺️
HI thank you for a good review i have just purchased one and wish i had seen your review first although there is a return policy, but i might keep it to interest the grandchildren. i normally play flute but I fancied trying a reed instrument, not sure if that is a good idea having turned 70. i need some stronger lung exercise and would rather music to medical instruments. Have i done right? or should i have got something better like the xaphoon,
Thank you for your message - not sure how qualified I am to answer but I’ll give you my opinion: I’ve always found the flute to be quite demanding from a breathing point of view - I’ve never given it much thought but… I suppose it’s because some of the breath is lost when producing the note I.e., not 100% of air goes into the flute. If you fancy a reed instrument, well, I’m not personally convinced by the novelty instruments other than a much cheaper option to a sax or clarinet. I would recommend strong diaphragmatic breathing and practising the control of your breath. Practice long tones - start as quiet as possible and build to loud then back to soft. I hope this helps. (All opinion)
Would that be possible to play a part like " your latest trick " ( Chris White, Dire Straits) or another riff from this band with the jsax, or the range is too restrictive?
Hi David, no the range isn’t too restrictive for the main ‘Latest Trick’ theme but the key would be the issue. You would have to play in a completely different key, which would mean you wouldn’t be able to play along to the track. As far as other Chris White stuff goes when playing for Dire Straits, yeah - it’d be too restricted. Thanks for contacting me
You may be too demanding here, i believe. I see this is a toy/learning instrument that is cheap and can produce some very pleasant sax-like tones. Now, it can be used occasionally for just playing for oneself at home, or with some friends to insert an atypical solo to a tune. A full-fledged sax would just not correspond to the same consumer need. I am a vocalist and a guitar player primarily, i dab in some piano and percussion too, and this would be a great addition for instance if i wanted to whip out a cool, slow solo on a track such as “Summer in Siam” for instance. As to producing correct pitch notes, let me tell you the struggle with a low D whistle is one where I consumed lots of time and practice not to sound unbearable to one’s ears (i.e. the piper grip in conjunction with how well a finger covers the hole and the combination of angle of the finger and strength of pressing is nightmare-ish indeed :)). So i ordered this and looking forward to get my kids interested simply in producing beautiful sounds and getting them curious about instrument playing at all versus the competition (RUclips, tablets etc)
Of course it is not the same as a normal saxophone, and I do not know why you expected it to be. And for someone who plays a metal sax, you problably have to adapt for a little while. But it does sound good. Not everyone needs to be a pro.
Hello. I watched all your videos about the jSax. I'm a jazz pianist, guitare and recorder player. For me the jSax is not a sax. It's a recorder with a song "near" to a sax. Then, having some troubles with the tones is like for any other type of instruments. You try, you fail, you try again and finaly find a way. And if not, you have learned something new. 😂
Hi, thanks for the comment - yes, this is an excellent point but I suppose (and I have to stress this is only my opinion) it’s a little similar to buying a bicycle before you commit to buying a motorbike.
@@mostlysax but then you'd still have a bicycle and a motor cycle 😁 I guess my question is, as someone who has no experience with reed instruments, could you get a sense for the style of playing with something like a jsax and make a decision then on whether to upgrade, or are these just toys? Thanks for the video BTW
@@mirr0rd - Hahaha, yeah you would! If I ever play the JSAX (which is for RUclips videos and literally no other time) - I have to take a couple of minutes to alter my embouchure slightly. I’m not a huge fan of them, at all. I do think that yes, they’re bordering on toy territory. Great for kids!!
Fantastic, honest review. I have played and taught all woodwind instruments from flute to bassoon and from soprano to bass. I had to give many years ago after damaging my mouth and teeth in a car accident and was looking into this as a way to simply have something to play at home. I guess the answer for me is to try it and see. Thank you so much.
did you get it or have an update?
@@zach2336 I still haven’t decided but I think I will as it would be really nice to just have something to play.
I played the saxophone as a youngen up to grade 5. I do not personally own one anymore but like many things in life I like to start and stop. I am thinking about buying one to get back into it just for fun. I think this is a good starting point.
I appreciate this review a lot. I'm a trombone and guitar player looking to try a reed instrument out. I really like the sound of the jsax and have always been drawn towards cute novelty instruments. This has definitely given me a bit of pause, but I still think I might buy this mostly for the convenience of taking this to work to play on break, I would never do that with a rental
I don't know, I can hear that it died out a couple of times but overall it is a very good performance and it sounds pretty good but this has to do with you too, you are a pro player. Also a major pro for this is that it only requires cleaning, no repairs or much trouble. I am afraid of buying a 300euro sax and realise that it is not for me so I will probably go for this one, the service you said does not exist in my country as far as I know unfortunately. Thanks for your videos and your honesty though!
Thank you for commenting, Antony - I understand entirely and wish you the best with it ☺️
I bought one just to have a small instrument I could take outside and play around with. Does it compare with a real sax? Not really, but it’s fun. Plus, it’s waterproof. Clarinet is my main instrument, but I do also own a real alto sax.
I know you're not a fan of this instrument but you sounded great playing it nevertheless.
What a great instrument! I am going to buy it.
I'm definitely a Nuvo J Sax convert. Nice lesson
Oh really?!
I’m not 😂😂
You make the High Jsax sound quite good!
An adult player really needs to do two things to this instrument: (i) replace the upper section and bell with the optional straight, more soprano-like alternatives provided by the manufacturer - the hunched posture that results from trying to play the thing as it comes out of the box is awkward and distracting - and (ii) ditch those horrible plastic reeds before you start and replace them with cane Eb clarinet reeds. The manufacturer suggests the latter as an option after some progress has been made, but these two minor upgrades turn this little beast into a much more tractable instrument (e.g. making it easier to improve the intonation using embouchure technique).
I play the saxophone for a long time and collecting unusual instruments. But I think i should refuse here. Thank you!
Played saxophone through college and I just bought one of these to mess around with doing field work and backpacking. I'de be more excited about it if it weren't for the limited range but for $50 used on ebay it's not bad.
Beautiful playing
Seriously tho, I hope I can end up playing my Dood like he plays the Jsax.
I just have no idea where to start
Hola,el problema de este saxo es la boquilla y la caña de plastico,si cambias la boquilla por una saxo sopran con una caña de madera creo que podría solucionarse el problema,yo tengo uno y lo he probado con boquilla de saxo soprano y esos problemas han desparecido,espero que os aporte algo mi comentario,un saludo
What about those that play the sax and may have their own instrument, but maybe want something more convenient for at a desk say, and quieter to play in the house?
Very great videos and honest feedbacks.
Is this instrument volume loud? Is it suitable for playing (or starting practicing) in an apartment without disturbing so much the neighbours with it? I was first looking for an electronic alternative until I found your videos and the warm timber (but limited possibilities) this instrument has
It is difficult to tell you exactly how loud it is - it is much louder than an acoustic guitar but it is not as loud as an alto sax.
Thank you for contacting me and watching my video ☺️
HI thank you for a good review i have just purchased one and wish i had seen your review first although there is a return policy, but i might keep it to interest the grandchildren. i normally play flute but I fancied trying a reed instrument, not sure if that is a good idea having turned 70. i need some stronger lung exercise and would rather music to medical instruments. Have i done right? or should i have got something better like the xaphoon,
Thank you for your message - not sure how qualified I am to answer but I’ll give you my opinion: I’ve always found the flute to be quite demanding from a breathing point of view - I’ve never given it much thought but… I suppose it’s because some of the breath is lost when producing the note I.e., not 100% of air goes into the flute. If you fancy a reed instrument, well, I’m not personally convinced by the novelty instruments other than a much cheaper option to a sax or clarinet. I would recommend strong diaphragmatic breathing and practising the control of your breath. Practice long tones - start as quiet as possible and build to loud then back to soft. I hope this helps. (All opinion)
@@mostlysax Thank you for your reply
Y!KES I'm obviously not a sax player at all because this sounds great to me. I'm transferring from string instruments so I still want this lol
Thanks Tony, very kind of you to say - it does have a nice tone, it’s just a difficult beast to tame 😂
@@mostlysax I definitely understand from your point of view. I feel this same when I pick up a guitar hero guitar vs my fender
Haha - tremendous analogy 😂
Would that be possible to play a part like " your latest trick " ( Chris White, Dire Straits) or another riff from this band with the jsax, or the range is too restrictive?
Hi David, no the range isn’t too restrictive for the main ‘Latest Trick’ theme but the key would be the issue. You would have to play in a completely different key, which would mean you wouldn’t be able to play along to the track. As far as other Chris White stuff goes when playing for Dire Straits, yeah - it’d be too restricted. Thanks for contacting me
You may be too demanding here, i believe. I see this is a toy/learning instrument that is cheap and can produce some very pleasant sax-like tones. Now, it can be used occasionally for just playing for oneself at home, or with some friends to insert an atypical solo to a tune. A full-fledged sax would just not correspond to the same consumer need. I am a vocalist and a guitar player primarily, i dab in some piano and percussion too, and this would be a great addition for instance if i wanted to whip out a cool, slow solo on a track such as “Summer in Siam” for instance. As to producing correct pitch notes, let me tell you the struggle with a low D whistle is one where I consumed lots of time and practice not to sound unbearable to one’s ears (i.e. the piper grip in conjunction with how well a finger covers the hole and the combination of angle of the finger and strength of pressing is nightmare-ish indeed :)). So i ordered this and looking forward to get my kids interested simply in producing beautiful sounds and getting them curious about instrument playing at all versus the competition (RUclips, tablets etc)
Of course it is not the same as a normal saxophone, and I do not know why you expected it to be. And for someone who plays a metal sax, you problably have to adapt for a little while. But it does sound good. Not everyone needs to be a pro.
Nice.. not an easy song to play (Have yourself a merry little christmas) especially on unfamiliar instrument.
Hello. I watched all your videos about the jSax. I'm a jazz pianist, guitare and recorder player. For me the jSax is not a sax. It's a recorder with a song "near" to a sax. Then, having some troubles with the tones is like for any other type of instruments. You try, you fail, you try again and finaly find a way. And if not, you have learned something new. 😂
Very good video mate keep it up!! 😁
Thank you 😊
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy the jsax rather than hiring a sax for a few months?
Hi, thanks for the comment - yes, this is an excellent point but I suppose (and I have to stress this is only my opinion) it’s a little similar to buying a bicycle before you commit to buying a motorbike.
@@mostlysax but then you'd still have a bicycle and a motor cycle 😁 I guess my question is, as someone who has no experience with reed instruments, could you get a sense for the style of playing with something like a jsax and make a decision then on whether to upgrade, or are these just toys? Thanks for the video BTW
@@mirr0rd - Hahaha, yeah you would! If I ever play the JSAX (which is for RUclips videos and literally no other time) - I have to take a couple of minutes to alter my embouchure slightly. I’m not a huge fan of them, at all. I do think that yes, they’re bordering on toy territory. Great for kids!!
I thought it sounded pretty good actually.
Pranzooooo
You have to actually play the thing since it’s not complicated enough for you!! LOL!