How I did it:
Started on clarinet.
Began saxophone three months in (continuing to play clarinet).
Played in an orchestra, concert band, jazz band in middle school.
Then marching band, jazz band, swing band in high school.
With private lessons during this time.
Started practicing ~30 minutes a day in the beginning and gradually more as I got better and it became more fun.
Long tones every day.
Learned all major schools during middle school.
Practiced with a metronome.
Lessons & tips:
Play less material, but really master it.
Play long tones every day (takes about 8 minutes)
Use a metronome!
Yeah, i’ve heard that it’s a great advantage to know clarinet first and then sax. The clarinet has a more structured key system and helps with control of notes, and helps in playing fast pieces smoothly. I’ve also heard that the Bamboo sax, or xaphoon as its called, can help a lot with embouchre and breathing.
Hey Stavros, another difference is the register key instead of the octave key. The difference actually comes about because of the shape of the instruments. It’s a reason why a bass clarinet can play lower notes than a bari sax, even though a bass clarinet isn’t actually much longer if at all. I have a bamboo sax, it probably won’t hurt your playing, but ideally I think you want to be playing on an actual saxophone for practice.