Saxophone

[Ostrinski]

Considering saxophone lessons, though I admittedly have little knowledge on the instrument. I love the sound of it, I listen to a lot of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

In relation to other instruments, is it hard to play/expensive?

[Sensible Socialist]

I play Tenor Sax, after having played Alto for several years. From what I know, Saxophones will be more expensive than other instruments, for example the trumpet, clarinet, etc. I'm scanning the internet, and from what I've gathered a new sax will run in the low thousands, while a used one goes from five hundred to one thousand dollars. If you've never played before, I'd see if you can rent one from a music company. You make monthly payments and can opt out at any time. It's a good way to find out if you like to play the instrument.

I've never played anything but sax, and I'm glad. It has an incredible range of notes and sound, is the stereotypical street corner instrument. :lol:

[Fawkes]

There are few sounds in this world more eargasmic than the low reedy sound of a bari sax. Like SS said, I would definitely suggest renting one first. You may also be able to find a cheap one on craigslist. Unlike electronic instruments, it's a lot easier to tell immediately if it's defective, so you're safer going the used route than you would be with something like a sampler or guitar amp.

[jake williams]

Saxophone is very easy to learn (for a wind instrument, it'll still take you several hours of practice until you can consistently make a sound), but pretty difficult to play well.

The cheapest beginner saxophones will generally run you around $500-$1000, depending on what kind you get, although you can luck out or buy used and get a bit cheaper than that. Renting is not a bad idea, especially since you may not know what kind you want even if you've been playing for a bit.

It's a good instrument. What I will say is that when you're picking out an instrument, as long as the key mechanisms work, the reed and the mouthpiece are much more important for the sound (and the playability, which matters a lot for beginners) than the actual instrument. Rent a cheap, functional one, and make sure you have a reliable supply of reeds and a nice mouthpiece.

[Tablo]

Saxophone player here. The saxophone is an easy and fun instrument to play. As with all instruments, saxophones are expensive. It will take a lot of practice to get good, but that's the same for all instruments.

[thesadmafioso]

I used to play in elementary and middle school, it's a pretty fun instrument to play but it can be quite expensive. As other have said, I would strongly recommend renting one before buying.

[Tablo]

Yeah, rental is a great idea to make sure you like the instrument and can get somewhere playing it before spending money on one.

[Ostrinski]

Thanks for the info.

I don't play any other instrument. Multi-instrumentalists, is the sax good for someone like me?

[Tablo]

Thanks for the info.

I don't play any other instrument. Multi-instrumentalists, is the sax good for someone like me?
Also, play other instruments. I think it is good. I prefer the clarinet, but the saxophone is easier and probably more your music style.

[thesadmafioso]

Thanks for the info.

I don't play any other instrument. Multi-instrumentalists, is the sax good for someone like me?

It sort of depends, it can be sort of demanding if you have any lung related issues. I had asthma for a while and in retrospect the Saxophone probably wasn't the best instrument for me to take up. I've since taken up guitar and find it far less physically demanding to play.

It is also quite bulky as compared to some other instruments, I could never play mind without a strap to hold it up. And as I recall, the case for it was impossibly heavy and obnoxious to transport. Reeds can be rather bothersome to deal with as well, as you need to have them wet before you can really play and you need to constantly keep them in good supply.

[mykittyhasaboner]

Thanks for the info.

I don't play any other instrument. Multi-instrumentalists, is the sax good for someone like me?

Go for it, its an instrument everyone likes, and theres no limit as far as what kind of music you can play with a sax. Its not the instrument i have the most experience with, but i found that learning to play helped with learning more advanced skills on guitar, piano and vice versa. Playing multiple instruments is something you should think about once you learn the sax first though.

i would recommend starting with an alto, because it will be cheapest and easier to learn the proper technique for getting a consistent sound.

i find that a tenor has the best range though, its my personal favorite and the kind i own, even though i started on an alto first.

[AnonymousOne]

Considering saxophone lessons, though I admittedly have little knowledge on the instrument. I love the sound of it, I listen to a lot of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

In relation to other instruments, is it hard to play/expensive?

Learn how to play this and you'll be amazing:

VrdwhXNt4qw

In all seriousness, you can probably get something fairly cheap through Craigslist, eBay, Amazon. If not you can always rent from a music shop for awhile. I was on a rent to own program while I was on the Cello, I made like 5 monthly payments and then it was mine. It ended up being like $400 for it.