 The Fingering Forum
|
Author: Fiona
Date: 2005-03-03 06:42
Hello. My name is Fiona and I just bought an Alto Sax. I have wanted one for a long time and one of our local music shops were selling them at a reduced price - I couldn't resist.
I already read music (I have been playing piano for over 40 years) but have always wanted to play a wind instrument. I also have a clarinet but didn't get on with that (my teenage son decided to claim it and he seems to be getting on alright with it). I found difficulty with the clarinet, partly because I have small hands and found I couldn't cover the holes properly. I started looking closely at the Saxophone on the internet and saw that it was operated by keys instead, started listening to Saxophone music and decided that this could be the wind instrument I was looking for.
I took it out of its case yesterday and amazed myself by after about 20 minutes managing to play a scale (slowly but it was there). I found it much easier than the clarinet.
Has anyone any advice they can give me, particularly about when to use the palm keys and the two right hand keys situated at the bottom of the Saxophone (mine are square in shape) please.
I would like to take proper lessons but music teachers where I live, particularly for wind instruments are few and far between and those that are usually have waiting lists up to a year long.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Fiona
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David
Date: 2005-03-06 03:30
Ah, congrats on getting one of the finest instruments out there.
My best advice is to check out the main fingering chart on this very site. Don't get caught up in alternate fingerings for now. Know that the lowest note is a Bb below the staff, and work your way up to say the D above the staff. Learn to play the chromatic scale from C# below the staff to C# above the staff (two octaves), or D to D. Sometimes the lower notes are difficult to voice.
As far as your specific questions about the palm and pinky keys, there are four main sets you need to worry about:
Left hand palm keys (3): Used to play from D-F above the staff
Left hand pinky keys (4): Top used for G#, middle ones used to play low C# and B when low C is being fingered.
Right hand palm keys (3): Used mainly for alternate fingerings and trill fingerings.
Right hand pinky keys (2): When you finger a D (123-123), top key makes D#, bottom key makes a low C.
But really, you've already started learning the best way, trying to play scales. Your chromatic scale may well be the best thing to learn at first, gets you familiar with all the fingerings. Most of all, have fun, and don't get discouraged. There's tons of information around the web, and google.com may be a good friend.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fiona
Date: 2005-03-06 13:08
Hi David. Thanks for the advice
For the last two years I've been playing Glockenspiel in a Military Marching Band (I'm in the UK by the way). It is a voluntary band (Royal British Legion). We had plenty of drummers but only two musicians - me and the Trumpeter/Bugler. Unfortunately, our band leader made a decision last year which upset quite a lot of us, so I resigned from the band last week and am in the process of forming my own band (within the Royal British Legion).
At the moment I'm about as popular as a rattlesnake in a baby's pram with the band leder but I know a lot of people who are either musicians already or very keen to learn who will come on board with me but wouldn't join the original band because of the band leader's attitude (cavalier to say the least).
What I'm hoping to do is form the marching band but also a 1940's style dance band as often in the past we were asked to provide dance music which we couldn't do. One of the ladies who is interested in joining is itching to learn the Saxophone too. She has one (I believe it is quite a good make) but it is in serious need of repair. Someone had tampered with it in the past and she thinks it will cost more to repair than buy a new one.
I don't know if my venture is going to take off or not, but I'm giving it a go. I've got at least 4 kids showing an interest, ages range from 11 - 14 plus several adults, so I've got a nucleus to work with.
I'm on holiday from work from today until a week Wednesday and as we're not going anywhere, is going to give me lots of time to practice While I'm off I'm going to try and find a teacher. Might try the local college because they often have music students who teach various instruments to boost their incomes. Worth a try anyway.
Will let you know how I get on.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul
Date: 2005-03-20 15:43
Hi Fiona. It's really cool that you are learning the alto. It's my favorite instrument! You can learn on your own, there is a vast wealth of materials available. A couple of things I would recommend: 1) get a tuner. Without a teacher, it is easy to fall into bad habits and if you start playing out of tune, you will get used to the sound and your intonation will always be off. 2) get a metronome. It is important to playing rhythyms correctly and at constant tempo. I also recommend the book "The Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal. It is available at Amazon.com and is a terrific book for beginners. Also, listen to alto players, particularly the style of music you want to play. You'll hear things you like and that will give you goals to work toward. Above all have fun!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Osvaldo
Date: 2005-04-30 07:54
Hello!! David
I would like to learn Alto Sax, I already have a sax to start and get practice.
Thank you
Osvaldo.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Osvaldo
Date: 2005-04-30 07:54
Hello!! David
I would like to learn Alto Sax, I already have a sax to start and get practice.
Thank you
Osvaldo.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: James Wright
Date: 2005-06-09 10:23
Hi Fiona!
its a great idea to start a 1940s dance band!
i've just finished studing that era for a level and it was great. i also play the alto(and tenor and Soprano) and found it great to play along to Lester Young and the big bands of Glenn Miller!
Where abouts in the UK are you?
James
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
