Is It Difficult To Learn The Saxophone?
It is NOT difficult to learn the saxophone. In fact, it might be one of the easiest instruments to start learning. Firstly, the saxophone only produces one note a time. The scale system of the saxophone is also very easy to get around, with the sound getting lower as you cover more keys. Anyone who has played a recorder, other wind instruments and even the piano, will find the saxophone relatively easy.
Many people are often drawn to the sound of the saxophone. Despite it only being only invented in the 1840s, it has been prominently featured in almost every genre of music since its inception. This could have given rise to its visibility and popularity. Or it could be the fact that when played well, it can sound a lot like the human voice.
I learnt the piano as my first instrument, so if I was comparing the saxophone to the piano, the saxophone is definitely easier to learn. You would only need to read the treble clef, and one note at the time. Also, you do not need your feet to step on any pedals.
In this post, I will elaborate further why the saxophone is a relatively easy instrument to learn and put you in the correct direction to start your journey.
Which is the easiest type of saxophone to learn?
Most people will tell you that the alto saxophone is the easiest saxophone to start learning. That is definitely true to a certain extent. Pitch wise, its right in the middle and produces a tone that is not too high or low. Price wise, most companies tend to produce very affordable altos. They are relatively lightweight and easy to handle for students of most ages.
However I think the most important factor when it comes to deciding which instrument to start learning on, is SOUND. Our ears are drawn to different frequencies and it is important to think of the type of saxophone music that you enjoy listening to.
For example, if you grew up listening to Kenny G on the soprano and that’s what you gravitate to, learning the soprano saxophone as your first instrument may not be a bad idea. If you learn the songs you really enjoy, you will unlikely find the saxophone difficult to learn at all.
If you first heard Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, with Paul Desmond playing his sweet warm alto saxophone, then you might be drawn towards learning the alto sax first. If you heard the tenor saxophone on Sade’s Smooth Operator and fell in love, then go for the tenor! Or did you get mesmerized by Leo P. on Baritone sax like the rest of us?
Another way would be to have your teacher or music shop salesman play all the different saxes for you and you can make your decision after hearing and holding them in person.
How long does it take to learn the saxophone?
As with learning anything new, there will be a sense of challenge. If you had prior music experience before, it will probably speed up your learning time. I would say with consistent practice (at least 3 times a week), most students will be able to play a simple song in 2-4 weeks and a pop or jazz tune in about 4-8 weeks.
One of the most important factors would be making sure that you find the right teacher to show you the ropes. The playing ability and teaching ability of anyone is not related at all. So it is very important to have a few lessons with a teacher and assess for yourself if that teacher is doing a good job in helping you achieve what you want to.
Are they explaining concepts clearly? Are they making the lessons interesting and motivating you to practice? Having a good rapport with your teacher will definitely help to accelerate your learning process.
Can I teach myself the saxophone?
In the past few years, there are increasingly many platforms and courses online that can allow you to teach yourself the saxophone. From Youtube, to Udemy, Sax School Online, Better Sax and Artist Works. They cost of these courses are relatively affordable and come with lots of videos and materials. However the issue with teaching yourself the saxophone is that you will not be able to get specific feedback on any mistakes you are making.
Having a private tutor will definitely make the process faster, as well as ensuring you do not make any irreversible mistakes. If there are budget constraints, the bare minimum would be to at least have your first lesson with a teacher. If possible, go for at least 4 lessons before trying to practice on your own with online resources.
The downside about online video lessons is you do not get any feedback about your playing. So it is always good to check in with a teacher personally. Some online studios or teachers accept video submissions where you can send in a video of your playing for them to give feedback, for a small fee. This will dramatically reduce the difficulty in learning the saxophone.
Best Beginner Saxophones
It can be a very daunting task to decide which instrument to purchase as your first, so here i have shortlisted a few of them for you. Before you read scroll further, do check out this insightful video from the guys at Sax.co.uk too
Soprano
Yamaha YSS-475
The Yamaha YSS475 soprano saxophone is a high quality soprano with superior build quality and intonation, as all Yamaha saxophone are known for. They come at an intermediate price point, but many professional musicians use the 475 as their main soprano sax too.
Much of the design of the 475 is based on the design of the Yamaha Custom 875EX and shares many of the same features, but at a fraction of the price.
With this soprano, you will get a sweet sound, great intonation and no worries about anything going out of adjustment for a long time. The Yamaha 4C mouthpiece that comes with the saxophone also is a great beginner mouthpiece that will last you for a long time.
Trevor James SR
The Trevor James SR soprano saxophone is manufactured in Taiwan, and then hand-finished and inspected at their UK headquarters before being shipped out. The quality and consistency of these saxophones are second to none. The SR is of a one-piece design and has a clean and focused response.
It has a large bore and has the tone on this instrument is very broad and warm. Many sopranos tend to sound very nasal, especially at the high registers, however this one sounds nice and rich throughout the entire range of the sax.
Conn- Selmer Advant DSS180
This soprano is easy to play, responsive at all volumes and intonation is very good throughout the entire range of the saxophone. Keywork is very fluid and allows to you shape your playing for any genre. It also comes with a Rousseau Mouthpiece so it is a very good deal.
Jean Paul USA Soprano Saxophone, Gold (SS-400GP)
Jean Paul is a small, family-run business based out of Miami, FL, established in 2012. They manufacture their instruments in China and sell directly to customers to avoid the high costs of having a physical store. they also hand-adjust each instrument at their Miami Headquarters to make sure that every instrument plays at its best.
Some people might find the curved soprano to be more ergonomic and easy to handle than the straight variant. With the bell pointing upwards, it is also easier to hear the true sound of the instrument. Jean Paul also manafuactures the straight soprano saxophon (As well as the alto, tenor and baritone) so you will be well covered.
Alto Saxophones
Trevor James Classic
The Trevor James Classic has taken the saxophone world by storm in the past few years. Stores like Sax.co.Uk have been selling scores of them, mainly due to their incredible sound and build quality. Coming in a really affordable price, this saxophone punches way above its weight class.
Introduced in 1994 as ‘The Horn’, it has evolved into this elegant and refined saxophone that might be priced like a student model, but has a sound of a professional model.
it comes in several finishes like Gold Lacquer, Silver, Black Frost, Black & Silver, and even in Pink and Purple (!!). Every instrument is Manufactured in Taiwan and then inspected and playtested back in the UK to perfection before it is shipped out to any dealer or distributor. It comes with a nice set of accessories, all packed in a lightweight contoured case.
Yamaha YAS-26
The Yamaha 26 alto saxophone is probably one of the most highly regarded beginner saxophones on the market. Their reputation is second to none, and is probably the first instrument any sales representative pushes to a new student. It is highly reliable, plays great out of the box and will fulfil all of a student’s needs till they need to upgrade.
The current models are manufactured in Indonesia and although some people take issue with that, i have never played a YAS26 that played badly. The tone is on the bright side but they are very free-blowing, have great ergonomics and have a very even scale. This saxophone comes with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece that will serve you very well, at least for the first few months of your saxophone journey.
If you choose to upgrade your mouthpiece to a warmer sounding professional mouthpiece like a JodyJazz HR*, Vandoren V16 or Meyer, you could make this instrument sound richer and fuller and actually spend years on it before finding the need to upgrade to an intermediate or professional model.
Better Sax
The Better Sax Alto saxophone is a collaboration between Conn-Selmer and Jay Metcalf and the result is a unique and affordable instrument that not just plays great, but looks amazing too. This will be a great instrument for any beginner, or even a professional musician who wants a solid instrument to bring out to their outdoor gigs.
The Better Sax Alto is manufactured in China, under strict supervision from Conn-Selmer Agents. Upon careful inspection and quality control, they are then shipped to Elkhart, IN, where they are playtested, Checked and setup by highly qualified saxophone technicians, before being shipped out to the custom.
For those of you who know Jay, he will not put his name on anything that he does not 100% love and swear by, so you know you are going to be in for a great saxophone. Plus at this pricepoint, I think you are getting way more bang for your buck then any other sax on the market. You should also check out the Better Sax courses as there is something suitable for you, no matter which stage of your playing you are at.
Where To Learn Saxophone Online
YouTube
YouTube is one of the best free resources to learn just about anything. There are tonnes of good videos on there but here are 2 which I find are very good to help you begin your saxophone journey.
Online Courses
Artistworks Eric Marienthal Saxophone Course
This is probably one of the most all-rounded online course out now. Eric Marienthal is a Grammy® award winning jazz saxophonist and studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he eventually was awarded the Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music.
He later became an integral member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band, where he recorded 6 albums and received 2 of his 5 Grammy nominations. He has since performed in over 80 different countries and has recorded 13 solo albums.
This course covers the absolute basics of playing the saxophone, and goes all the way to advanced concepts of jazz improvisation. The best part about this course is you get to submit videos through the website and Eric will reply you through a video as well.
This is probably the closest one can get to getting private instruction from one of the greatest modern saxophonists. That itself is worth the fee entirely. Artistworks also has many other courses that cover all instruments and regularly has promotions, so do check out their website for more information.
Better Sax Courses
Jay Metcalf of Better Sax is one of the most influential saxophone figures on the internet now. He is a great player, but most important, has a knack of being able to share his concepts very succinctly and presents them very well. He has many courses covering a wide range of topics, and has good discounts if you buy them as a bundle. Definitely worth checking out his YouTube Channel as well, for lots of good video content.
Sax School Online by Nigel Mcgill
Nigel Mcgill started Sax School Online in 2014 with the dream of helping students learner faster and with more fun! His lessons have helped more than 10000 students in 70 countries. His lesson library has over 700 videos and 60 courses, at a nominal monthly fee. He also invites world class performers to conduct masterclasses for his students regularly. He also has a great YouTube Channel.
Summary
All in all, I think the saxophone is one of the least difficult instruments to learn. With the right teacher, resources and equipment that does not hinder you, you can be playing your favourite songs in no time!
