 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: big fat lyre112
Date: 2003-06-24 02:07
k...here's the bit...
I'm goin into 10th grade and am 1st chair clari...and was thinkin of learning a new insturment to maybe march or play in a jazz ensemble ((most likely the jazz ensemble)).
Everyone says that sax is much like a clari and that it is easy to learn. I've gotten my hands on a soprano sax and loved it ((although I only played a scale for like 3 mins)) I was lookin at teaching myself how to play one ((preferably a straight one cus its much like a clari))
Do any of you out there have soprano sax ((or any sax)) experience they could use to enlighten me if this is a good/wise choice and the plus and minuses of choosing the soprano sax.
Thanks a bunch yall!
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Author: Webby
Date: 2003-06-24 02:26
Big Fat Lyrell2,
If you're looking to play in jazz ensemble, you'd be better off picking up alto, tenor, or bari sax. Soprano is not part of the core instrumentation-it's usually written as a doubling in an alto part.
Also, I realize the soprano sax LOOKS like a clarinet, but it is a unique beast all its own. Tuning and voicing are a huge issue, and voicing on the saxophone is already quite different than clarinet. You'd probably be better off developing that technique on a different sax and trying soprano when you have more flexibility.
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Author: supernova_khr
Date: 2003-06-24 03:03
When my son wanted the opportunity to play in jazz band at school, the director recommended tenor sax (she had way too many altos already, and no need of a soprano.) He was already playing bass clarinet in concert band at times, so had no problem adjusting to the tenor. He did have to learn new fingerings, but that didn't take long. Whatever you decide to play, make sure you take some private lessons. That will prevent you from developing habits that you may eventually need to break.
Good Luck,
Kay
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-06-24 03:15
Soprano sax is rare in marching bands as well, except as a solo instrument, go with alto or tenor.
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Author: Sharon
Date: 2003-06-24 09:30
I bought a tenor saxophone last week and have already learnt the notes. It's much easier to learn than the clarinet as the fingering stays the same for each octave (and the range is smaller). I've got a long way to go on producing a good sound, however, and wouldn't like to play it in a band for quite a while yet. It also makes my arms ache a lot more!!
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Author: clarinetgiggirl
Date: 2003-06-24 12:01
I took up alto sax 3 years ago. It was easy to blow and easy to learn the fingerings - they are really logical. There was a short period where I occassionally confused sax and clarinet fingerings with interesting results, but this soon passed.
However, last year I took some sax lessons with an excellent teacher and then had to spend 6 months learning the correct embouchure. To get a good sound, sax has to be blown in a completely different way to clarinet. Lessons from the start is good advice.
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Author: krawfish3x
Date: 2003-06-24 19:57
i'm one of if not the best clarinetist in the band in school and really wanted to play a jazz instrument. everyone that i talked to(including private teachers) recommended alto sax to me so i started to learn and i love it. it didnt take me long to learn at all, infact within a month of picking it up i made 1st alto in the 9th-10th jazz band. it's been about 8 months and it's almost up to speed with my clarinet playing. i highly recommend doubling, just remember not to ditch clarinet because when you go back to it after about a week of playing sax, it will mess with your embouchure.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-06-24 22:36
Sax is easy to learn once you know clarinet. I just started about a month ago and can tell it won't take long to "get good at this." I would also recommend starting with alto or tenor. I've heard the soprano is a bit different to learn and possibly easier with some experience on the others.
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