My son has been playing a yas 280 for many years, a loaner from the music school, i just bought a Super Action 80 l for him, it´s getting a full overhaul now, my son can´t wait for his own pro sax. We had his teacher test it before we bought it.
Your videos are so helpful. My parents bought me a Yamaha YAS-23 in 1984 (also made in Japan) for saxophone lessons. Lessons didn’t last, but now at 55 I’m enjoying taking lessons from an amazing teacher and trying new tools and accessories. I ❤❤❤ my YAS-23! I’ll be ready for an upgrade in the next year or so. I agree on skipping the intermediate horns if you can. I’d love to learn tenor & soprano as well. ☺️
Concerning the soprano sax, a good instrument is crucial in terms of intonation. One should avoid cheap Chinese horns, since bad intonation and mechanisms could possibly discourage a student.
Hello, Donna. I have played a vintage Martin alto when I started playing in high school. I had a Bundy II tenor when I went to junior college(a pretty good beginners tenor and a a in a music store told me that even some of the pros play Bundy IIs). I later traded it in for an intermediate Yamaha tenor( the price was reasonable). The Yamaha intermediate tenor had great sound projection and the keys were comfortable(especially the octave key because on my Bundy II the octave key was a little distant). My thumb is on the octave key whether I was using it or not and those were the two things I loved about the Yamaha. What I didn’t like about the Yamaha was the fact that it dented easily even though it was in a case. It looked strong and secure but it dented the bell a couple of times. I remember my instructor was talking to me about mouthpieces. He suggested Dukoffs( he knew Bobby Dukoff). I asked a man who worked in a music store about Dukoff mouthpieces. He said that they are very good. But expensive. He told me about Otto Link mouthpieces.and he recommended them highly. You are right about the individual’s sound as opposed to the sound quality of the horn they play. A good mouthpiece, reed and ligature set up and key work can help in working on a sound that can help in many situations. Very helpful and informative video. Thank you 😎🎷
A middle school band director friend of mine asked me to play two old student horns he had discovered, long hidden, for years, apparently, in a back room's closet. He wanted to know if they were adequate to give to his students. One was in terrible shape mechanically, too many leaks, so I could not say much other than "This one needs work". The second one sounded spectacular. I loved it. The intonation, control, the great big, room filling sound, the resistance, everything was exemplary. I used my own mp set up, and it worked so well. I usually play my Yannie T991 for all of my gigs, but I am not really sure it gets any better sound than that old student horn did that evening. Of course, I would have to play the student horn much more for a long term comparison, but that one brief playing experience taught me a lot about the difference in saxophones and the individuality of seeking what is right for you, the player. Donna, I am amazed by your passion and interest and willingness to teach on TH-cam.
Thanks for your thorough and honest opinions. I recently got out my 50 year old Buescher Aristocrat Tenor Sax (which is no longer made) and it still works great. I'm now in my late 60's, and it plays fine for me, so I will not be upgrading any time soon! (I just wish they'd stop calling it a "student horn"...it makes sound like it's a toy...haha!) But I love playing my "vintage sax."
Also ask the repair person what brands of horns they have trouble getting parts for, or hate working on, or have expensive parts. Just about everyone can fix a the Yamahas, etc., but some of the vintage horns, or horns from the less common/regional manufacturers may not have spare parts readily available. Of course, if you think you're going to be needing a ton of spare parts, you might consider getting several student horns and see if you can get a volume discount so that you always have something available to play.
So true. When I’m used to teach at a music store in Atlanta I’d get wealthy students that had been playing a rental sax maybe 1 to 3 months the parents would inevitably approach me and ask if they should go ahead and buy their child a pro horn so it would make them play better lol !
A year ago I was able to afford a King Super 20 Tenor. I have owned many a student/intermediate horn including the Yamaha's and none could touch it in terms of play ability. I just love the sound of a vintage King Saxophone. I also own an Antigua Power Bell Tenor. It's my back up horn but is still a great pro sax in it's own right. You can get the lacquered model for under $2000. I got mine on ebay for $900 it is the antique copper. Awesome horn. For another $1000 you can step up to the pro one which has great reviews.
I love your work Donna! I was going to say we got our horns about the same time frame I have a YTS23, also made in Japan that I bought brand new in 1990! I graduated from high school in 1995, playing that horn! I love the antique it's become!
Generally, you do try out a car before buying one, unless you live in Japan. I also have a YAS-23, and it’s still great. I just changed my mouthpiece. You’re right about developing your sound. I would also add you’re also developing your identity and voice the longer you play. Thanks for your video!
Donna again another great video and because I have spoken with plenty of saxophone enthusiast as well as saxophone professionals and in the videos I have seen you've always spoken on when individuals ask you a question about what type of saxophone to get or what type of mouthpiece to get to make them sound like "professionals" and you always say that it's the mindset of the individual. Working from that statement I feel the best answer to Martin's question is you don't need a professional instrument to play or sound like a professional. Now, if you have the right amount of zeros on your credit card or if you been saving plenty of pennies to buy a professional horn please do so but you do not need a professional horn to sound like a professional it all comes from as you always said the mindset of the saxophonist or any instrumentalist. Even though my research I found that the only difference between professional saxophones and student saxophones is clearly the quality of the instrument. I've always recommended which was the same knowledge that was given to me is to stick with the name brands and play with the student model versions of those instruments. Also as you always mention on your videos as well is that what are you going to be using the instrument for and I love your analogy of buying a car you always test drive your car especially if you put in your hard earned money into this vehicle and the same should go towards your instrument. I am a saxophone enthusiast, not a professional because I play every once in a while so I ended up buying myself a student Selmer saxophone the AS711 model instrument. This saxophone is a very beautiful saxophone and it is a workhorse. Also, this instrument is a lot cheaper than the Yamaha instrument that you highlighted in your video. I don't recommend enthusiast that are not active players to spend a lot of money on an instrument because a professional instrument can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and if you don't play that's money well wasted. So in conclusion to Martin, he should see where his finances are at and you don't need to buy a professional instrument to sound like a professional and that your sound comes from you and you only it does not come from the equipment that you buy.
Just a note for people like me. If you don't have a pro music store in your area, Woodwind and BrassWind has a 45 day trail period. If the horn meets your requirements keep it, if it doesn't ship her back. I tried several alto mouthpiece's and did just that. They are fantastic to deal with. For me, listening to someone play a sax on TH-cam is maddening. So for me I couldn't listen to a sax on there then make up my mind on which horn to purchase. Acoustic's are all over the place. Then you have sound that has been modified through different effects. The 45 day trail period is the ticket for me.
Thanks for that reminder - 45 days is a nice long time to try something out. Folks keep in mind, there are re-stocking fees, but if you don't live close to a decent store, this is a good way to go...
I traded my bundy tenor for a new Mk vi in 1962, and played all my life (now 79 yrs old) I tried a student one on a gig recently and my band mates said I just didn't have the projection I usually get. I have tried yamahas and felt they are a claas horn too. The only other tenor I liked sound wise was a conn 10m. Using the mk vi vs. the bvundy is like driving a cadd after a chev, they both get you there, but the cad is more comfortable.
This is an interesting subject. I started on a Jupiter student tenor, then when I started the grades (UK) treated myself to a selmer SA80 mk2. I could have done grade 8 on the Jupiter. There is no doubt. I started in the mid 80s playing the sax. Today I have yanigasawa saxes. I love them. I am not bragging here but the 4 saxes I own amount to about £28000 (S, A, T and B). I’m very very very far from being a great player. I play in a covers band and I LOVE it!! One point that’s been missed here. I haven’t seen it mentioned in comments I’ve seen here, but it could have been, is the sheer pleasure of owning these top end instruments. To me they are works of art. It’s like buying a painting or indeed a car. I can get from a to b in a Ford but oh to get from a to b in a rolls Royce or a Ferrari?! I don’t need to be the worlds best driver to own those cars. I could buy a nice painting for £500 or a masterpiece for £5 million. Does a violin player NEED. A Stradivarius? Course not. It’s the pleasure of owning these instruments. It’s not showing off with saxes like it might be with cars or paintings. I could show non musician friends of mine my £12000 baritone and a £1000 Chinese made one. And they would go WOW! To both of them. They are both sparkly and look impressive. But I know the craftsmanship, care, passion and heritage that’s gone into making my yanagisawa exist. That makes it worth the money for me. Plus if I didn’t buy those saxes I would only spend the money on the kids. What a waste!! 😱
Love this comment, Lee, especially the "sheer pleasure of owning these top end instruments. To me they are works of art." How true! I'm LOL about spending money on the kids 😂
Thank you Donna. And thank you for the excellent tuition you give us lesser mortals. Im sure we all appreciate it. It’s great to see replies to the questions you pose from my saxophoning brothers and sisters x
Thank you Donna. I was given an old alto sax in a very battered case a few years back (only ever having played clarinet previously). It was tricky to play until I had it re-padded, and I was amazed to hear from the repairer that it was a Pennsylvania instrument from the 1930s. It has a lovely smooth tone and I love playing it. Is the smooth tone partly because the instrument is made from thicker metal and why players often favour 'vintage' models? Thanks again for your video!
Good for you! Many reasons why some of us favor the vintage models...also remember that you make the tone.Someone can play your horn and get a brighter sound.
Better instruments use better material and components, they are better tuned and balanced and resonate better for the better quality tone. They allow the use of mouthpieces that will help you stay in tune, and land right in the best possible intonation zone. The difference is something like driving an old car with a rough and loud manual gearbox, and a new sportback sedan with flawlessly quiet automatic transmission.
I have a Jupiter student tenor. While some saxes have adjusting screws for the F and G# keys to correct problems playing the very lowest notes of the instrument, my instrument doesn't seem to have these. How could that adjustment be made if it was necessary? I periodically have problems with my lowest notes not wanting to stay consistently on their pitch. There should be a way to adjust this.
I've always heard that the intonation on student and even intermediate (to a degree) isn't the greatest. I've even heard this about the Yamaha YTS-280.
Yeah, that makes sense. I've heard of people trying a bunch of different horns that were the same model, only to find one good one out of the pile (for their preferences/play-style, I suppose). Thanks for the advice on making sure you're in tune on only the neck first. Hope you're doing well!
Hey Donna! I play a Selmer Artist Limited. Haven't found a lot of info on this particular model but what I discovered was that it's a very good intermediate horn. Have you heard of this model?
I had a brand new Yamaha YAS 200 AD for two weeks before it ended up in the scrap pile. I think it had to do with the fact it was made in Indonesia. Tone, intonation and response were all horrible even before it sprung leaks and started falling apart.
I practice every day 80 minutes studyed with teacher for 3 months out of 9month went from tenor rs berkely to yamaha 480 much better sound do u think I need a teacher.I study the rubank elementary an now half way throw intermediate book .do i need a teacher at this point? I need a professional advice.thank you
Any one at any point can always get value from studying with an experienced teacher, as long as they have goals to achieve and will work hard in reaching them.
What makes a horn a "pro" horn, though? Every manufacturer has a horn, or a line of horns, that they say is their "pro" level. Is there an industry standard on what a "pro" horn must have?
Great question! I don't know of an industry standard, just like there isn't an industry standard for tip openings on mpc's. The best thing is to try them out...
No_if you can play and sound good you can sound good on anything. Some horns make it easier to play with the sound you hear in your head.A new yamaha will never sound like a 1930,s conn 10_however if you like an older/warmer tone then get the horn that will make it easier for you_ie the old conn.Yamahas always been good instruments but I could never get the sound I heard in my head on them_metal format_not enough copper.
There is nothing as a pofhorn. Is the opposite a nonprof horn. There are good and bad horns. Whatever you choose be sure you get an instrument with a good intonation. The rest is up to you. With a good mouthpiece you'll be on the way.
Professional models have more features and are made with better materials. And yes, totally agree about the intonation - that's most important, along with ergonomics
Hi Donna: I disagree with you. I think a Prohorn makes all the difference in the world. I started playing the Trumpet. I had an Olds Ambassador, which was a good Student model. There was a guy in High School who had a pro Horn. No matter how much I practiced and tried, he always sounded better than me. Now after 40 years, I bought a Bach Stradivarius. I still have the Olds Trumpet. It sounds like a Tin Can compared to the Stradivarius. I have since bought a Schilke 1B and King Silver20 and a Getzen. They are all Pro Horns. The Olds can not even compare. Before the Pandemic I took up Playing the Saxophone. A friend sold me a Jupiter Student horn. I went out and bought a Selmer. No comparison in tone quality. I recent bought a student model JeanPaul Flute. I then bought a used Pro horn flute. Again no comparison.My Sister gave me her son's Pro Clarinet. I haven't played a student model Clarinet. To make a long story short, If I know I want to play an instrument, I go for a Pro horn right off the Bat. All my Horns are Pro Horns. The only horn that isn't is my Tenor Saxophone. I would buy a Pro Tenor, but Pro Horns are expensive. I recently just paid off my Selmer Alto Saxophone. I was eating Cup a noodle for about a year and half. My opinion is if your serious about playing an instrument get a Pro horn right off the bat, if you can afford one. If you are just dinking around playing an instrument buy a cheap one. If you want to sound good and can afford it, buy a Prohorn. Gary
Cheap student horns are good for kids. They are not good choices for adults. Less weight, cheaper material, stiff keywork, poor intonation, tuning issues, less resonance, overall imbalance, etc. make them suitable for use with few mouthpieces, limited airflow, slower keywork. For adults, though, esp those with more lung capacity and ability to use more air, that hinders playability and possibilities. A better instrument fixes many issues and the difference may change a player's sound COMPLETELY.
Cheap student horns that do not have replaceable parts aren't for anybody, especially kids who get frustrated very quickly. Bad horns are one of the top reasons so many kids (and even adults) quit playing their instruments. There are very good choices out now (like Chateau) that are reasonable in price and made well enough.
@@DonnaSchwartz Im a 30 year woodwind repair tech, I work on all levels of instruments for all levels of players, and have played over sax for a litlle over 40 years. I have and love my Martin comm3 tenor, but just got a Chateau CTS-80 and Im really digging it, well built and plays and sounds great. Not going to sell the Martin, but the Chateau is a great value. Many would be surprised by how many of thier instruments are made by "Tenon", Chateau is Tenon's house brand. There are many student horns that are great, and fine for pro work, Yamaha student saxophones are very good, the current student level Jupiters are also very good now and their pro/intermediate models are amazing now and very well made, and can often be found used at great prices. I have a customer that plays in a very high profile touring band, and he plays a YTS-52 intermediate sax, and isn't held back at all by the sax, so you can be playing for thousands of people on non "pro" horns.
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Thanks Donna for all your uploads , you can’t imagine how helpful they have been .
Nearly one year as a Sax addict.
Glad to hear! Please do me a favor and share the videos :)
My son has been playing a yas 280 for many years, a loaner from the music school, i just bought a Super Action 80 l for him, it´s getting a full overhaul now, my son can´t wait for his own pro sax. We had his teacher test it before we bought it.
Your videos are so helpful. My parents bought me a Yamaha YAS-23 in 1984 (also made in Japan) for saxophone lessons. Lessons didn’t last, but now at 55 I’m enjoying taking lessons from an amazing teacher and trying new tools and accessories. I ❤❤❤ my YAS-23! I’ll be ready for an upgrade in the next year or so. I agree on skipping the intermediate horns if you can. I’d love to learn tenor & soprano as well. ☺️
Concerning the soprano sax, a good instrument is crucial in terms of intonation. One should avoid cheap Chinese horns, since bad intonation and mechanisms could possibly discourage a student.
Hello, Donna. I have played a vintage Martin alto when I started playing in high school. I had a Bundy II tenor when I went to junior college(a pretty good beginners tenor and a a in a music store told me that even some of the pros play Bundy IIs). I later traded it in for an intermediate Yamaha tenor( the price was reasonable). The Yamaha intermediate tenor had great sound projection and the keys were comfortable(especially the octave key because on my Bundy II the octave key was a little distant). My thumb is on the octave key whether I was using it or not and those were the two things I loved about the Yamaha. What I didn’t like about the Yamaha was the fact that it dented easily even though it was in a case. It looked strong and secure but it dented the bell a couple of times. I remember my instructor was talking to me about mouthpieces. He suggested Dukoffs( he knew Bobby Dukoff). I asked a man who worked in a music store about Dukoff mouthpieces. He said that they are very good. But expensive. He told me about Otto Link mouthpieces.and he recommended them highly.
You are right about the individual’s sound as opposed to the sound quality of the horn they play. A good mouthpiece, reed and ligature set up and key work can help in working on a sound that can help in many situations.
Very helpful and informative video.
Thank you 😎🎷
A middle school band director friend of mine asked me to play two old student horns he had discovered, long hidden, for years, apparently, in a back room's closet. He wanted to know if they were adequate to give to his students. One was in terrible shape mechanically, too many leaks, so I could not say much other than "This one needs work". The second one sounded spectacular. I loved it. The intonation, control, the great big, room filling sound, the resistance, everything was exemplary. I used my own mp set up, and it worked so well. I usually play my Yannie T991 for all of my gigs, but I am not really sure it gets any better sound than that old student horn did that evening. Of course, I would have to play the student horn much more for a long term comparison, but that one brief playing experience taught me a lot about the difference in saxophones and the individuality of seeking what is right for you, the player. Donna, I am amazed by your passion and interest and willingness to teach on TH-cam.
Thanks for your thorough and honest opinions. I recently got out my 50 year old Buescher Aristocrat Tenor Sax (which is no longer made) and it still works great. I'm now in my late 60's, and it plays fine for me, so I will not be upgrading any time soon! (I just wish they'd stop calling it a "student horn"...it makes sound like it's a toy...haha!) But I love playing my "vintage sax."
My wife bought me a mendini tenor sax and im loving it so far
Great advice. One of my saxophones is a YAS-23 and that’s what l use the most. Thank you.
Also ask the repair person what brands of horns they have trouble getting parts for, or hate working on, or have expensive parts. Just about everyone can fix a the Yamahas, etc., but some of the vintage horns, or horns from the less common/regional manufacturers may not have spare parts readily available. Of course, if you think you're going to be needing a ton of spare parts, you might consider getting several student horns and see if you can get a volume discount so that you always have something available to play.
So true. When I’m used to teach at a music store in Atlanta I’d get wealthy students that had been playing a rental sax maybe 1 to 3 months the parents would inevitably approach me and ask if they should go ahead and buy their child a pro horn so it would make them play better lol !
A year ago I was able to afford a King Super 20 Tenor. I have owned many a student/intermediate horn including the Yamaha's and none could touch it in terms of play ability. I just love the sound of a vintage King Saxophone. I also own an Antigua Power Bell Tenor. It's my back up horn but is still a great pro sax in it's own right. You can get the lacquered model for under $2000. I got mine on ebay for $900 it is the antique copper. Awesome horn. For another $1000 you can step up to the pro one which has great reviews.
This is so cool, i just bought a mauriat and im so happy
I love your work Donna! I was going to say we got our horns about the same time frame I have a YTS23, also made in Japan that I bought brand new in 1990! I graduated from high school in 1995, playing that horn! I love the antique it's become!
Love my Yas 23!
Generally, you do try out a car before buying one, unless you live in Japan. I also have a YAS-23, and it’s still great. I just changed my mouthpiece. You’re right about developing your sound. I would also add you’re also developing your identity and voice the longer you play. Thanks for your video!
Donna again another great video and because I have spoken with plenty of saxophone enthusiast as well as saxophone professionals and in the videos I have seen you've always spoken on when individuals ask you a question about what type of saxophone to get or what type of mouthpiece to get to make them sound like "professionals" and you always say that it's the mindset of the individual. Working from that statement I feel the best answer to Martin's question is you don't need a professional instrument to play or sound like a professional. Now, if you have the right amount of zeros on your credit card or if you been saving plenty of pennies to buy a professional horn please do so but you do not need a professional horn to sound like a professional it all comes from as you always said the mindset of the saxophonist or any instrumentalist. Even though my research I found that the only difference between professional saxophones and student saxophones is clearly the quality of the instrument. I've always recommended which was the same knowledge that was given to me is to stick with the name brands and play with the student model versions of those instruments. Also as you always mention on your videos as well is that what are you going to be using the instrument for and I love your analogy of buying a car you always test drive your car especially if you put in your hard earned money into this vehicle and the same should go towards your instrument. I am a saxophone enthusiast, not a professional because I play every once in a while so I ended up buying myself a student Selmer saxophone the AS711 model instrument. This saxophone is a very beautiful saxophone and it is a workhorse. Also, this instrument is a lot cheaper than the Yamaha instrument that you highlighted in your video. I don't recommend enthusiast that are not active players to spend a lot of money on an instrument because a professional instrument can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and if you don't play that's money well wasted. So in conclusion to Martin, he should see where his finances are at and you don't need to buy a professional instrument to sound like a professional and that your sound comes from you and you only it does not come from the equipment that you buy.
A professional instrument can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars???
Just a note for people like me.
If you don't have a pro music store in your area, Woodwind and BrassWind has a 45 day trail period. If the horn meets your requirements keep it, if it doesn't ship her back. I tried several alto mouthpiece's and did just that. They are fantastic to deal with. For me, listening to someone play a sax on TH-cam is maddening. So for me I couldn't listen to a sax on there then make up my mind on which horn to purchase. Acoustic's are all over the place. Then you have sound that has been modified through different effects. The 45 day trail period is the ticket for me.
Thanks for that reminder - 45 days is a nice long time to try something out. Folks keep in mind, there are re-stocking fees, but if you don't live close to a decent store, this is a good way to go...
I traded my bundy tenor for a new Mk vi in 1962, and played all my life (now 79 yrs old) I tried a student one on a gig recently and my band mates said I just didn't have the projection I usually get. I have tried yamahas and felt they are a claas horn too. The only other tenor I liked sound wise was a conn 10m. Using the mk vi vs. the bvundy is like driving a cadd after a chev, they
both get you there, but the cad is more comfortable.
Hi, i.live in Brazil.
I play with buffet crampon, evete and schaefer model.
I like this with selmer s80 c* mouthpiece
ya compré las cañas que usted recomienda JAZZ ESTAN BUENAS AUNQUE TODAS NO SO IGUALE COMO TODAS PERO GRACIAS ES USTED MUY BELLA Y BUEN MUSICO
Do you think I should get a pro horn for high school band and solo?
Depends on how much you are practicing/playing and whether you will be playing in college
This is an interesting subject. I started on a Jupiter student tenor, then when I started the grades (UK) treated myself to a selmer SA80 mk2. I could have done grade 8 on the Jupiter. There is no doubt. I started in the mid 80s playing the sax. Today I have yanigasawa saxes. I love them. I am not bragging here but the 4 saxes I own amount to about £28000 (S, A, T and B). I’m very very very far from being a great player. I play in a covers band and I LOVE it!! One point that’s been missed here. I haven’t seen it mentioned in comments I’ve seen here, but it could have been, is the sheer pleasure of owning these top end instruments. To me they are works of art. It’s like buying a painting or indeed a car. I can get from a to b in a Ford but oh to get from a to b in a rolls Royce or a Ferrari?! I don’t need to be the worlds best driver to own those cars. I could buy a nice painting for £500 or a masterpiece for £5 million. Does a violin player NEED. A Stradivarius? Course not. It’s the pleasure of owning these instruments. It’s not showing off with saxes like it might be with cars or paintings. I could show non musician friends of mine my £12000 baritone and a £1000 Chinese made one. And they would go WOW! To both of them. They are both sparkly and look impressive. But I know the craftsmanship, care, passion and heritage that’s gone into making my yanagisawa exist. That makes it worth the money for me. Plus if I didn’t buy those saxes I would only spend the money on the kids. What a waste!! 😱
Love this comment, Lee, especially the "sheer pleasure of owning these top end instruments. To me they are works of art." How true!
I'm LOL about spending money on the kids 😂
Thank you Donna. And thank you for the excellent tuition you give us lesser mortals. Im sure we all appreciate it. It’s great to see replies to the questions you pose from my saxophoning brothers and sisters x
Thank you Donna. I was given an old alto sax in a very battered case a few years back (only ever having played clarinet previously). It was tricky to play until I had it re-padded, and I was amazed to hear from the repairer that it was a Pennsylvania instrument from the 1930s. It has a lovely smooth tone and I love playing it. Is the smooth tone partly because the instrument is made from thicker metal and why players often favour 'vintage' models? Thanks again for your video!
Good for you! Many reasons why some of us favor the vintage models...also remember that you make the tone.Someone can play your horn and get a brighter sound.
perdone mi conciencia pero si tú vieras alguna boquilla que considere no usar me deja saber gracias
I’m thinking of getting a better sax, since I’ve been playing for 6 years with a student model, and the lower register is absolutely horrendous
Better instruments use better material and components, they are better tuned and balanced and resonate better for the better quality tone. They allow the use of mouthpieces that will help you stay in tune, and land right in the best possible intonation zone. The difference is something like driving an old car with a rough and loud manual gearbox, and a new sportback sedan with flawlessly quiet automatic transmission.
I have a Jupiter student tenor. While some saxes have adjusting screws for the F and G# keys to correct problems playing the very lowest notes of the instrument, my instrument doesn't seem to have these. How could that adjustment be made if it was necessary? I periodically have problems with my lowest notes not wanting to stay consistently on their pitch. There should be a way to adjust this.
The adjustment comes from continually working on your tone, and being sure you have the right equipment for you right now.
Great video and very informative
Glad it helped
I've always heard that the intonation on student and even intermediate (to a degree) isn't the greatest.
I've even heard this about the Yamaha YTS-280.
Yeah, it depends on the horn,as well as the player. You can't be out of tune on the neck - if you are, you have the wrong mpc/reed combination.
Yeah, that makes sense. I've heard of people trying a bunch of different horns that were the same model, only to find one good one out of the pile (for their preferences/play-style, I suppose).
Thanks for the advice on making sure you're in tune on only the neck first. Hope you're doing well!
I've got this sax too.
Hey Donna! I play a Selmer Artist Limited. Haven't found a lot of info on this particular model but what I discovered was that it's a very good intermediate horn. Have you heard of this model?
I actually haven't! As long as the intonation is good, and there are replacement parts, then there shouldn't be any problems.
Donna Schwartz Thanks!
Do you recommend that I get a second tenor sax(trevor james raw) or a bari sax?
I play on a yts 23 yamama tenor sax with a hard rubber mouthpiece
Good morning! How about selmer bundy 2?
I had a brand new Yamaha YAS 200 AD for two weeks before it ended up in the scrap pile. I think it had to do with the fact it was made in Indonesia. Tone, intonation and response were all horrible even before it sprung leaks and started falling apart.
Yikes!
I practice every day 80 minutes studyed with teacher for 3 months out of 9month went from tenor rs berkely to yamaha 480 much better sound do u think I need a teacher.I study the rubank elementary an now half way throw intermediate book .do i need a teacher at this point? I need a professional advice.thank you
Any one at any point can always get value from studying with an experienced teacher, as long as they have goals to achieve and will work hard in reaching them.
@@DonnaSchwartz thank you .ok so can you give a task on how to play all major an minor pentatonic blues scales. or just play them over an over ?
Very good.... 🌹 Signed up
What makes a horn a "pro" horn, though? Every manufacturer has a horn, or a line of horns, that they say is their "pro" level. Is there an industry standard on what a "pro" horn must have?
Great question! I don't know of an industry standard, just like there isn't an industry standard for tip openings on mpc's. The best thing is to try them out...
No_if you can play and sound good you can sound good on anything. Some horns make it easier to play with the sound you hear in your head.A new yamaha will never sound like a 1930,s conn 10_however if you like an older/warmer tone then get the horn that will make it easier for you_ie the old conn.Yamahas always been good instruments but I could never get the sound I heard in my head on them_metal format_not enough copper.
There is nothing as a pofhorn. Is the opposite a nonprof horn. There are good and bad horns. Whatever you choose be sure you get an instrument with a good intonation. The rest is up to you. With a good mouthpiece you'll be on the way.
Professional models have more features and are made with better materials. And yes, totally agree about the intonation - that's most important, along with ergonomics
Hi Donna: I disagree with you. I think a Prohorn makes all the difference in the world. I started playing the Trumpet. I had an Olds Ambassador, which was a good Student model. There was a guy in High School who had a pro Horn. No matter how much I practiced and tried, he always sounded better than me. Now after 40 years, I bought a Bach Stradivarius. I still have the Olds
Trumpet. It sounds like a Tin Can compared to the Stradivarius. I have since bought a Schilke 1B and King Silver20 and a Getzen. They are all Pro Horns. The Olds can not even compare.
Before the Pandemic I took up Playing the Saxophone. A friend sold me a Jupiter Student horn. I went out and bought a Selmer. No comparison in tone quality. I recent bought a student model JeanPaul Flute. I then bought a used Pro horn flute. Again no comparison.My Sister gave me her son's Pro Clarinet. I haven't played a student model Clarinet. To make a long story short, If I know I want to play an instrument, I go for a Pro horn right off the Bat. All my Horns are Pro Horns. The only horn that isn't is my Tenor Saxophone. I would buy a Pro Tenor, but Pro Horns are expensive. I recently just paid off my Selmer Alto Saxophone. I was eating Cup a noodle for about a year and half. My opinion is if your serious about playing an instrument get a Pro horn right off the bat, if you can afford one. If you are just dinking around playing an instrument buy a cheap one. If you want to sound good and can afford it, buy a Prohorn. Gary
That's fine - it's all about personal preference.
Cheap student horns are good for kids. They are not good choices for adults. Less weight, cheaper material, stiff keywork, poor intonation, tuning issues, less resonance, overall imbalance, etc. make them suitable for use with few mouthpieces, limited airflow, slower keywork. For adults, though, esp those with more lung capacity and ability to use more air, that hinders playability and possibilities. A better instrument fixes many issues and the difference may change a player's sound COMPLETELY.
Cheap student horns that do not have replaceable parts aren't for anybody, especially kids who get frustrated very quickly. Bad horns are one of the top reasons so many kids (and even adults) quit playing their instruments. There are very good choices out now (like Chateau) that are reasonable in price and made well enough.
@@DonnaSchwartz Im a 30 year woodwind repair tech, I work on all levels of instruments for all levels of players, and have played over sax for a litlle over 40 years. I have and love my Martin comm3 tenor, but just got a Chateau CTS-80 and Im really digging it, well built and plays and sounds great. Not going to sell the Martin, but the Chateau is a great value. Many would be surprised by how many of thier instruments are made by "Tenon", Chateau is Tenon's house brand.
There are many student horns that are great, and fine for pro work, Yamaha student saxophones are very good, the current student level Jupiters are also very good now and their pro/intermediate models are amazing now and very well made, and can often be found used at great prices.
I have a customer that plays in a very high profile touring band, and he plays a YTS-52 intermediate sax, and isn't held back at all by the sax, so you can be playing for thousands of people on non "pro" horns.
I don’t need to play pro Sax :)))
anna ou-