Saxy Time

I joined a band! No, not a "cool one" where I get to play in smoky clubs in the city; but a community band. Community Band South in fact. We practice every week in Upper St. Clair. The first time I went (2 1/2 weeks ago) there was another lady playing tenor saxophone. But at the last practice she was playing clarinet. So now I'm all by myself (with 4 or 5 altos, and another lady on baritone sax).

I half-heartedly looked into trying to find a private teacher. It has been 8+ years since I played the saxophone and even back then, I didn't know what I was doing. But I don't want to pay someone $30 per week (more maybe) just so that they can tell me to practice...I can do that by myself. I just need pointers; maybe someone I can consult on a "as needed" basis only.

I got my saxophone in the last days of January...so I'm coming up on almost a month. After a crummy e-bay experience, I picked up a Selmer Aristocrat in Monroeville at Music-Go-Round for a really fair price. I picked up some Vandoren traditional reeds first and a pink Oleg ergonomic neckstrap first (I can't stand sax straps that look like medical devices!). Then I decided to go with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece because I just see no reason to spend $100+ on a Selmer Paris mouthpiece right now. I also picked up some Vandoren JAVA reeds (so far, I don't like them as much as the traditionals). Today I received a Rovner EVO ligature I ordered as well as a BARI synthetic reed. The synthetic reed is horrible...it makes the sax sound like a party favor. It's nice and loud though...so if I was in marching band (those days are over) or an electric polka band, I guess it would be cool. Good thing it was only $4. But who knows...maybe it's just me.

Tenor sax parts in concert band are not too crazy; so I can read most parts and not panic. My biggest issues right now are breath support -- since daily breathing just does not prepare you for playing a tenor saxophone. The worse is low notes. My sides start hurting if I have a passage longer than 8-bars with notes under G. My second issue is my embouchure. When I played sax the first time around, only the double embouchure worked for me (top & bottom lips covering the teeth). Now I see that with my top teeth on the mouthpiece...breathing is easier...and my low notes are more reliable. But my tone does not sound as good. For a "sweet sound" I need my top teeth off the mouthpiece. So I'm still deciding what to do here. It's for this type of thing that I wish I had a saxophone teacher! Also I have no "style" yet...articulations are tough when you are not used to a reed. However I think I'll stick with it. Especially since the people I sit by in the band are pretty floored that I've only been back at this for a month.

Another problem I have is that I don't listen to a lot of tenor saxophone music; other than Tommy McCook & John Coltrane. And I could never sound like them! Also you don't hear of too many professional tenor sax players that are women. I may try to find something with Anat Cohen on it however. It would be nice if I could have a clearer picture of the kind of sound I'm shooting for. I sort of feel pressured to do that, since I'm the only person playing my part in the band. Instant soloist....yick!