Is learning to play the saxophone difficult?

Question

To teach yourself by ear, I mean.

I can play the piano and guitar, and just recently picked up a violin. I seem to be able to pick up almost any song I want on all of these instruments easily. I also played the clarinet for a semester in high school, but I am afriad I don't remember too much of that.

I am just wondering if I might find it hard because I am more used to string instruments? Do you have to tune a saxaphone? How much do they normally go for?

Any tips, information, or advice would be awesome! Thanks!

Answer 1

No problemo!

Yeah, I played Alot Sax for a while there.

Learning by ear can be tricky, but

if you listen long enough and if you

listen over and over again, then you

will get the hang of it.

As long as you have your fingerwork down (by this, I mean

your speed and accuracy of hitting the  notes), then you

can accomplish anything.

If you are looking to buy one, here is a

GREAT site for estimates and prices: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

It's actually pretty hard if you've been a strings player. I've played both violin and cello for about 6 years now and switched to tenor (Bb) sax for marching band, and it's a lot more intricate than it looks! You have to make sure your embrochure is correct, that your jaw is in the right place for the range of notes you're playing, and you need to be able to keep the notes consistant. Like when you're bowing, you don't want to have the attack of the note too loud and have the end be really soft(unless that's what you're supposed to do for whatever piece you're playing). If you enjoy a challenge, then sax is a good instrument to pick up. As for tuning, you have to tune it yourself based on jaw placement. I definitely suggest getting a teacher, as this is not the best instrument to try to teach yourself.