I too started my sax journey a few yrs ago. Very sporadic, but now a bit more consistent with my routine. I NEVER thought I’d be doing this, let alone, learning to read sheet music. BTW, I’m 66yrs old. 😀
Great video, and thank you for telling us about your saxophone learning endeavor. Clearly you set yourself apart on TH-cam as you are not demonstrating your expertise but rather your learning experience and ability to complete long term goals, this is what being a student and musician is all about. This is just as valuable but takes more confidence. You have my blessing!
OMG! the first video of someone not starting out as a new person and in a year sounding like Jay Metcalf!! Reality! very motivational thank you. Keep enjoying the journey!!
nicholas thanks for sharing your story im in the same boat as you are i picked up the instrument in late march i turned 40 i love practicing and playing the alto saxophone i go to practice on thursday nights in middletown delaware mr collins is my teacher just keep practicing nicholas thats really good you can by memory and ear im trying to teach my self that i can only remember certain parts of sheet music on certain songs i cant stress about it just keep practicing and memorizing i tell myself.
Hi there. After listening to you sharing your story i had to halfway through and share my thoughts. Thank You!!!! Your honesty and how humble you are and in the way you express your journey truly deserve many props!! Keep at it because is a life long journey once you understand the reading of music and applying it to practice! Once again amazing journey you have undertaking. But very rewarding in a personal level. I play the Alto Saxophone as music therapy. I serve my country for 20 yrs and after Kuwait and Desert Storm i ended up losing my leg and spinal cord injury. Music is my outlet. And i been playing for 11 yrs. I now play the Alto/ tenor/ C# flute and harmonica. Gotten myself into Cello and this iam doing like yourself ( cello i mean ) i did take classes for Saxophone for 7 yrs. The thing is once you start and consistently practice you going to love it even more. Keep at it!! P.S. you deserve more than one thumbs up!!
wow, thank you for sharing this heartfelt comment. I would like to reply with a ''heart'' more than just a ''thumbs up''. I'm glad you have found some respite in music and wish you all the best in your musical journey as well. Best regards from Canada
I teach saxophone and most of my students are adult beginners. Some of them will on occasion be resistant to learning how to read sheet music, thinking that it's like deciphering hieroglyphics, but it's quite simple really. It's best to start with a teacher in order not to pick up some bad habits.
I got my Sax last year July 11th 2023. Thanks to my music teacher and TH-cam University I have learned a lot. I can know my play my very first song All By My Self by Celine Dion. Still needs a lil fine tuning. But I'll get there. I can play the C, G and D major. Everyday I learn something new. I love the sax and I can't wait to express myself fully.
Great story Nicholas, I started at the age of 69 and adore it, I just wish I started at your age, however, some days I want to stamp on my Sax , lol (I think you understand) but the sheer pleasure on a good day keeps me going , Im 72 now and able to play at least 25 tunes, so keep at it otherwise you will regret it in years to come if you stop, P.S. I still cant read music very well. (South of England UK)
I too started to play the sax 4 years ago from a complete beginner. I have over 100 songs on my TH-cam channel . Show my gradual improvement from year one to up today .
Well done you! I started clarinet a year ago, but I think I should have started the saxophone so that I would be able to improvise in a band, Which make did your tutor recommend please
Before each practice do some long tones and tounging just with mouthpiece and neck, than go and do the rest of exercises with whole saxophone. The main parts for playing the saxophone are good reed, good ligature, good mouthpiece and good saxophone neck...
Step 1: You need to have an actual saxophone in your hands. (Sounds obvious, but I didn't consider this at first) Step 2: Try to play it. Step 3: Google, TH-cam or ChatGPT will help you figure out how to play some first notes and sound somewhat OK.
There are a couple good ways to start learning the saxophone even if you have no clue about anything music related that I have found to be helpful when trying to teach my friends and family. For getting your hands on a saxophone, like Nicholas said, renting is a great idea, especially if you aren't sure if you want to pursue this all the way quite yet. If you have the money, buying a beginner or student model couldn't hurt either. Yamaha makes tons of great beginner instruments, saxophone included, and I've heard the BetterSax alto saxophone, even though it is a bit more pricey, is a really well made instrument even in terms of professional instruments. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may be able to figure this out all on your own, but if you can't or don't have the patience to, here's some tips; 1. Learn the basics of the piano (you don't have to worry about this if you can already read sheet music). This may seem completely unrelated, but you will have a much easier time understanding basic musical ideas if you can play a few scales and read music. I'm sure you have a family member or friend who would be willing to teach you some things if you ask them. If not, I'm sure there's plenty of youtube videos you can teach yourself with. 2. (This is completely optional, this just makes life a little bit easier) Learn to play the recorder. If you live in america (and maybe some other places) you probably had to play the recorder in elementary school. Although it may not seem like it at first, the recorder has very similar fingerings to a saxophone (although the sax has much more sophisticated ways of playing notes, and the sax also has better ways of playing sharps and flats). A simple C major scale is remarkably similar between the two. Like I always say, if you can play the recorder, you can sort of play the saxophone. 3. Take lessons (this might not be necessary if you are naturally good at music; I taught myself how to play the sax starting in 6th grade band up until now and I'm pretty good, but I also have a musically wired brain, so results may vary). Making a consistent and good sound out of the sax can be difficult and intimidating at first. It took me almost 6 months to finally understand how to make a decent noise. Playing notes can also be challenging if you don't have any experience with things like the recorder, which is why I suggested it earlier. And of course, reading sheet music can be tough as well. With all this, it may be helpful to sign up for some private lessons to help you out. This has the added benefit that since you are going to lessons, it is harder to just quickly say "I don't get it" immediately and quit before you really even started, since you are paying for it and it is a routine. 4. Last but not least: don't get discouraged. Learning an instrument can be difficult even for me, but you shouldn't give up or hate it because it may take more effort than you'd like. I believe in you! I hope this helps!
Playing music with others is the quickest way to improve and knock off the rough edges. Seek out those opportunities whenever you can. Stan Getz practiced eight hours a day for six months then joined his first band and never practiced alone again. He was a genius, of course.
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I too started my sax journey a few yrs ago. Very sporadic, but now a bit more consistent with my routine. I NEVER thought I’d be doing this, let alone, learning to read sheet music. BTW, I’m 66yrs old. 😀
As a 13 year old alto player, ur progress for a year was very good! Well done, and congrats on learning *_the best_* instrument in the world!
thanks! I agree, it's my favorite instrument :)
@@nicholasbelliveauI loved this video so much I’ve decided to play saxophone
My sax is my lover❤
i like this guy, 18 yo player, keep playing dude.
Great video, and thank you for telling us about your saxophone learning endeavor. Clearly you set yourself apart on TH-cam as you are not demonstrating your expertise but rather your learning experience and ability to complete long term goals, this is what being a student and musician is all about. This is just as valuable but takes more confidence. You have my blessing!
OMG! the first video of someone not starting out as a new person and in a year sounding like Jay Metcalf!! Reality! very motivational thank you. Keep enjoying the journey!!
Great content-keep playing & have fun on the journey
nicholas thanks for sharing your story im in the same boat as you are i picked up the instrument in late march i turned 40 i love practicing and playing the alto saxophone i go to practice on thursday nights in middletown delaware mr collins is my teacher just keep practicing nicholas thats really good you can by memory and ear im trying to teach my self that i can only remember certain parts of sheet music on certain songs i cant stress about it just keep practicing and memorizing i tell myself.
Keep it up Todd !
Hi there. After listening to you sharing your story i had to halfway through and share my thoughts. Thank You!!!! Your honesty and how humble you are and in the way you express your journey truly deserve many props!! Keep at it because is a life long journey once you understand the reading of music and applying it to practice! Once again amazing journey you have undertaking. But very rewarding in a personal level. I play the Alto Saxophone as music therapy. I serve my country for 20 yrs and after Kuwait and Desert Storm i ended up losing my leg and spinal cord injury. Music is my outlet. And i been playing for 11 yrs. I now play the Alto/ tenor/ C# flute and harmonica. Gotten myself into Cello and this iam doing like yourself ( cello i mean ) i did take classes for Saxophone for 7 yrs. The thing is once you start and consistently practice you going to love it even more. Keep at it!!
P.S. you deserve more than one thumbs up!!
wow, thank you for sharing this heartfelt comment. I would like to reply with a ''heart'' more than just a ''thumbs up''. I'm glad you have found some respite in music and wish you all the best in your musical journey as well. Best regards from Canada
Good for you, man. You took 'the plunge'. and STARTED! And you sought out an instructor. Interested in your progress. Wishing you all the best. Peace
Well done . Very inspiring
I teach saxophone and most of my students are adult beginners. Some of them will on occasion be resistant to learning how to read sheet music, thinking that it's like deciphering hieroglyphics, but it's quite simple really. It's best to start with a teacher in order not to pick up some bad habits.
Agreed! I would of never made the progress I did without a teacher and in-person classes. Very happy I can read sheet music now :)
I got my Sax last year July 11th 2023. Thanks to my music teacher and TH-cam University I have learned a lot. I can know my play my very first song All By My Self by Celine Dion. Still needs a lil fine tuning. But I'll get there. I can play the C, G and D major. Everyday I learn something new. I love the sax and I can't wait to express myself fully.
Great story Nicholas, I started at the age of 69 and adore it, I just wish I started at your age, however, some days I want to stamp on my Sax , lol (I think you understand) but the sheer pleasure on a good day keeps me going , Im 72 now and able to play at least 25 tunes, so keep at it otherwise you will regret it in years to come if you stop,
P.S. I still cant read music very well. (South of England UK)
Nice Video! Show us more of the saxophone playing man! :)
Love your stuff man! I double flute and sax at my school and absolutely love playing. I suggest you listen to Michael Brecker one of my sax heroes!
I too started to play the sax 4 years ago from a complete beginner. I have over 100 songs on my TH-cam channel . Show my gradual improvement from year one to up today .
Thank you for sharing. Having recently decided to learn the sax too, your perspective and experience is encouraging for a new player
I'm glad to hear that ! Have fun learning the sax :)
I’ve been teaching myself the saxophone for 2 years…just subbed to your channel x
I am just like you and watching this 8 months later wondering how far you've gone with your sax journey just got mine 2 weeks ago.
Nice Progress! I'll sub to see more of your progress :)
Thanks so much! Next sax video won't be anytime soon, but thanks for following my journey !
Well done you! I started clarinet a year ago, but I think I should have started the saxophone so that I would be able to improvise in a band, Which make did your tutor recommend please
I’m embarrassed by the fact that we both can’t read sheet music. Keep up the good work playing your saxophone as I am with mine
Before each practice do some long tones and tounging just with mouthpiece and neck, than go and do the rest of exercises with whole saxophone. The main parts for playing the saxophone are good reed, good ligature, good mouthpiece and good saxophone neck...
I love the part where you played the saxophone
What make and model did you buy?
hey, im looking for a teacher myself and im in montreal too. Do you know what was the name of your teacher?
i wanna start, but have literally ZERO clue about anything...
Any tips/recommendations?
Step 1: You need to have an actual saxophone in your hands. (Sounds obvious, but I didn't consider this at first)
Step 2: Try to play it.
Step 3: Google, TH-cam or ChatGPT will help you figure out how to play some first notes and sound somewhat OK.
There are a couple good ways to start learning the saxophone even if you have no clue about anything music related that I have found to be helpful when trying to teach my friends and family.
For getting your hands on a saxophone, like Nicholas said, renting is a great idea, especially if you aren't sure if you want to pursue this all the way quite yet. If you have the money, buying a beginner or student model couldn't hurt either. Yamaha makes tons of great beginner instruments, saxophone included, and I've heard the BetterSax alto saxophone, even though it is a bit more pricey, is a really well made instrument even in terms of professional instruments.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you may be able to figure this out all on your own, but if you can't or don't have the patience to, here's some tips;
1. Learn the basics of the piano (you don't have to worry about this if you can already read sheet music). This may seem completely unrelated, but you will have a much easier time understanding basic musical ideas if you can play a few scales and read music. I'm sure you have a family member or friend who would be willing to teach you some things if you ask them. If not, I'm sure there's plenty of youtube videos you can teach yourself with.
2. (This is completely optional, this just makes life a little bit easier) Learn to play the recorder. If you live in america (and maybe some other places) you probably had to play the recorder in elementary school. Although it may not seem like it at first, the recorder has very similar fingerings to a saxophone (although the sax has much more sophisticated ways of playing notes, and the sax also has better ways of playing sharps and flats). A simple C major scale is remarkably similar between the two. Like I always say, if you can play the recorder, you can sort of play the saxophone.
3. Take lessons (this might not be necessary if you are naturally good at music; I taught myself how to play the sax starting in 6th grade band up until now and I'm pretty good, but I also have a musically wired brain, so results may vary). Making a consistent and good sound out of the sax can be difficult and intimidating at first. It took me almost 6 months to finally understand how to make a decent noise. Playing notes can also be challenging if you don't have any experience with things like the recorder, which is why I suggested it earlier. And of course, reading sheet music can be tough as well. With all this, it may be helpful to sign up for some private lessons to help you out. This has the added benefit that since you are going to lessons, it is harder to just quickly say "I don't get it" immediately and quit before you really even started, since you are paying for it and it is a routine.
4. Last but not least: don't get discouraged. Learning an instrument can be difficult even for me, but you shouldn't give up or hate it because it may take more effort than you'd like. I believe in you!
I hope this helps!
also nicholas merry christmas
Very inspiring! I started playing guitar on my 31st birthday. Lets do a duet soon!
let's make that happen my friend ;)
Playing music with others is the quickest way to improve and knock off the rough edges. Seek out those opportunities whenever you can. Stan Getz practiced eight hours a day for six months then joined his first band and never practiced alone again. He was a genius, of course.
this is cool
thank Daniel :)
Good luck❤
As a recently starting tenor player I like how you played and in a year that is a level I wanna get too
can you read music sheet at speed of 200
U need more subs bro. I play sax too. Both alto and tenor
more subs as in Subscribers to this channel or like bass from a subwoofer ? haha
great job