Learning to play

Well, the very first thing to do is to find a tutor. If you live in the Hull or surrounding area, you have just found one. I can be contacted on 07811343769 and my email address in on the menu page to your left, if not. Look in the local paper, in music shops and music colleges. It is best if you can to get a recommendation from someone else, as a last resort you can chat to local musicians who may know a tutor.

Once you have found your tutor they can prepare you for your lessons. If you have never held a saxophone before or if you already play, your tutor will take it from there. If you are a beginner then good, as we can show you the right methods from the start, thus  avoiding any bad habits.

Buying a Saxophone.

This is the fun part, hopefully. A new saxophone can cost anything from 3 or 4 hundred pounds up to £20.000. That's big money! A tutor can save you lots of money and time by advising you as to which is a good buy and which is not. In the second hand market there are plenty of rubbish saxophones around - take advice before you part with your wonga if you're not sure what you are buying. Also never buy a saxophone unseen. Always check that there is a serial number as this will prove its identity. Stolen instruments are not a good buy. My advice is FREE.

Do you purchase a Tenor or an Alto? B flat or E flat? Well it's all down to choice. When I started I needed a tenor, an alto to me at the time  would have been useless. I own both now. The main thing is to choose one that suits you. Top of my list is - SHOP AROUND. There are some good bargains to be had on the net, so get searching. [You can start with my links page].

Reading Music.

It is going to become necessary to start to learn how to read music.  Why?  "Well, what are we going to play?"  was the answer that I got when I asked my tutor that question and he was right. We can talk you through the basics of music theory and starting to read, this in turn helps your playing ability.

Musical Styles.

For any students who wish to take their music examinations then a select number of pieces are available. these are limited to fit in with the requirements of the particular exam that you are taking.

If you are not going to take any exams then the style of music which you want to play is up to you. Be it Classical, Jazz or Rock and Roll. Its Ok, as written music is written music, provided that it is written for your instrument. [Remember Tenor Sax's are B flat and Alto's are E flat]. Else where in the site I have a list of good books that I regard as being of value to beginners and professionals alike.

Most importantly - We need to enjoy our playing and reading. A happy saxophonist is a good saxophonist! Cheeeesy but true.