The Fingering Forum
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Author: flautist 4 now ww forever
Date: 2002-11-16 16:00
when i came home with my new sax i was sooooo happy... i got the reed on okya then came the playing ... what books shold i get? what type of reeds should i get ? ( i heard rico is a bad reed) where should i start? How should i hold my sax ? - to the front or to the side? *sighs* u can tell i am starting from no fondation what so ever .
thank you for anyone who can answer this
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Author: Benny B
Date: 2002-11-16 18:43
Then get rico if you got nothing
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Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2002-11-16 20:55
new sax eh? which one? if you have a tenor, you put it to the side, if an alto, keep it between your knees. to me, any book is fine if your just starting out. and for reeds ricos are fine for beginners.
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Author: Gnomon
Date: 2002-11-16 21:03
Ricos are good enough for starting off. Vandorens are slightly more consistent so you are less likely to get a bad one and are available most places.
As TheBoy said, hold Tenor to the side, Alto in the middle. Ideally, you should stand up and use a neckstrap, so the Alto will not be between your legs. If you have to sit, it will be between your legs.
Good luck with your playing. I've been messing around with an alto for a few months now and it is great fun! One thing I have discovered is that the sax is much louder for everyone else than it is for me. I think it directs the sound away from me, because it doesn't sound loud but everybody else tells me I'm like a foghorn!
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Author: Benny B
Date: 2002-11-17 00:53
OMG do not put an alto between ur knees. to the side!!!!! just like a tenor
putting it to the side maybe harder but better to learn now then get used to it later on
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Author: Carolyn
Date: 2002-11-17 02:01
I know in our school band, the teacher had us use the "Standard of Excellence" series. (sorry, can't remember the author at this moment). Also, since you're just starting out, you don't necessarily need the highest quality of reed (it could end up costing you a lot of money, because new sax players usually go through reeds quickly. Really, any reed is fine when you're just starting out. Just make sure you wet the entire reed thoroughly before you start playing. As for Ricos, i've been playing sax for about 5 years now, and I still use Ricos most often (for practices, marching band). I usually use vandorens for jazz band thought.
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Author: sAxY bOy
Date: 2002-11-17 04:11
yes...please...it is SUCH a bad habit to put the alto between the knees. It puts you in an akward position, , and to read music you have to look down and close your airway. put it TO THE SIDE!
sAxY bOy
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Author: flautist 4 now ww forever
Date: 2002-11-17 18:51
LOL i know to put the sax to the side...( from observation) i use a vandoran strengh 2, it is working really great, i am using the same book i started on when i played the flute ( but in the sax style) thanks for all ur help u guys ... wish me good luck my lessons start in 2 days
thanks a bunch
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Author: TigerTenor
Date: 2002-11-17 20:42
Actually, either the alto or the tenor may be played to the side or between the knees. I personally find it easier playin to the side, but some people (like my old band director) like playing between their knees. This is a matter of personal preference really.
Ricos are mediocre(sp?) reeds. In a box of ten there is almost always one that will just be impossible to play. Rico Royals are better and more dependable. VanDorens are some of the best reeds on the market, but remember that the price of a reed is directly proportional to its quality.
These are two common beginner mistakes that you can look out for. Putting the reed on the mouthpiece too high. This will ensure no sound issues from your horn. Taking too much mouthpiece into your mouth. This causes squeaking.
I hope this helps and good luck too you.
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Author: Benny B
Date: 2002-11-18 01:13
I think playing in between makes look dorky , is unnatural and is difficult to read music. that is why it is reccommended that u hold a sax to the side.
on the reed side i when i switched to tenor from a clarinet i used rico#3. they performed very well for me except on altissimo notes. and most ppl that i know hate vandorens on a sax and recommend them only on a clarinet(teachers)
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Author: flautist 4 now ww forever
Date: 2002-11-18 10:45
vandoren is very confortable for me ... ricos are very easy to use too. but of course i have not tryed other reeds. i will ask my teacher tomm . thanks tho
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Author: joe
Date: 2002-11-19 14:58
i think vandoren reeds are excellent for the saxophone. I've been using them for the past 2 years, out of my 8 years of playing. now i'm a freshman in college and that's all my professor allows me to use.
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Author: Peein Ian
Date: 2002-11-21 01:25
Hey !! ive been playing alto sax 4 about 2 years i play with rico reads cause there less expensive and they work just as well. Also u hold alto saxes to the right of ur body always so if u need ne help jus e-mail me and ill do my best as a novic sax player 2 help!!
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