Two examples of people playing the saxophone for the first time.
Check this out and leave a comment about what you sounded like on day one of playing the saxophone. (Other comments will not be approved)
After that, go to this page: https://saxstation.com/frustration-vs-discomfort-the-sounding-better-on-saxophone.htm
One is a musician (second example) and the other is not a musician.
You probably sounded/will sound something like this on your first day, possibly more like example 1 or example 2.
Leave a comment about how you sounded on day 1! Thanks
When I first started out I didnt try to play a song. I pulled out a book and started with the scales. I started with a note that I could get a sound out of.It was hard because I was short and the buttons were far apart.
I practice d for like 4 hours than day and finally completed one whole song. It sucked but I did it. On day one I probably made peoples ears bleed that day. So my point is to keep trying cause you’ll get there soon enough.
Also I actually started playing today on my birthday seven years ago. I turn 15 today so a good protion of my life was put into playing sax. So again dont give up you’ll get there.
Thanks Annmarie!
I just got my first alto sax after 8 years of daydreaming about playing that sweet poison just to calm myself, ive never touched a saxophone before and it was my first time getting to know it…i felt like a man that had just discovered fire but i played same way shown in the video, i wonder if there is a way to play the alto sax more quietly? Cuz i feel like my neighbors literally want me dead.
When I started playing I kind of sounded similar…then I really concentrated on listening to the notes from a practice CD but got frustrated because when I play I can’t hear the CD.
Then after practicing some I tried to find the notes of the beginning of Turn the page by Bob Seger and ended up playing the Three Blind mice lol…I had fun and can’t wait to practice tomorrow…
Jamie
Thanks Jamie
I got really frustrated playing at first, I sounded like an old car horn, my dog started howling at me it wasn’t good.
But you get out what you put in, now my dog sits listening to me, so practice as much as you can and it will get better.
I prefer playing sat down, I get a better sound.
Thanks Sean, glad your dog enjoys your playing more now.
I think the second guy sounded pretty for a first go. My first go playing sax was on a friends sax that he had just been playing and I asked if I could have a try. He reluctantly let me straight onto his wet mouth piece –a little bit disconcerting to say the least.
My dog also was disturbed. A jack russel, he cocked his head to the side and looked really worried.
Thanks for sharing Gray. Your dog may have become a bit more accustomed to something out of the ordinary. And as you improve, he probably thinks it’s better.
I began playing the saxophone in the 6th grade as is common in the American public school system.
My 6th grade saxophone class consisted of 16 eager young students itching to learn the instrument. For the first week, we played exclusively on the mouthpiece alone as well as the mouthpiece and neck – out of all the students, I was the only one who could not produce a sound… whatsoever.
The entire year, I steadily improved; however, I never reached that pinnacle of achievement – the much-sought-after 1st chair.
Today, I have undergraduate and masters degrees in saxophone performance and am currently in the middle of doctoral work, pursuing a saxophone studio position in higher education. To all those just beginning – there is hope for you! Keep working hard and don’t get too down on yourself. You will experience many ups and downs along the way – just make sure you are having fun and the improvements will come!
Thanks for sharing James. That’s the same grade I started playing.
Was it just not using enough air that was the problem the first week?
it was a lot easier for me because i know i to play the trumpet,though there was a challenge with the keys and scales because i never had any formal training on the sax. but i was a lot better than the two.
That makes sense that playing trumpet made the transition into playing sax easier. The two in the video had never played any wind instrument before. Thanks
I sounded, well I still do sound like from between those two examples.
Just got my first sax and never played before any instrument.
This is going to be a huge challenge for me to learn, but I will learn!!
Now i can play the first part of Dire Straits your latest trick.
I just learned with the fingerings showed on black pads.
Still don’t know how to get all the notes out of it…
Yes, it’s a challenge, but a lot of fun.
A car horn or howling werewolf! I recall a neighbour standing on his front porch mimicking a werewolf howl when I first started playing, quite disheartening to say the least but the beginning sounds on sax are not the prettiest sounds as there is so much more to think about with a wind instrument, unlike a piano, guitar, or bass.
I believe it takes a lot more patience, persistence and perseverance to get a good sound and maintain this but it is possible and the end results are magical, just keep practicing 🙂
That’s funny, I think it is worth the practice and the practice can also be enjoyable. If you think of of it that way, you’ll probably enjoy the whole process more.
There was only the sound of flowing air when I first tried the saxophone.
Then I started to read my wife’s study book for the Alto sax.
It described the technique of embouchure.
I tried again, and behold a true B note came out.
It motivated me in getting a Tenor sax, and study daily to master it.
Now 6 months later, I can play a tune or two. I feel I have come a long way already, and every day there is more to discover.
But I really need some advice of people who play the sax much longer.
That’s why this site is really priceless.
Thanks for that Neal!
Thanks Erwin, you can check out the classes here too if you would like more help and feedback.
My first lesson I sounded pretty lame. I’ve had 3 lessons and practice 3-4x a day totaling about 40-60 min. I can play simple tunes.
One of the points I wanted to get across is that no one sounds amazingly good on day one. There is some variation depending on your experience with music. But even the best sounded pretty similar to everyone else on day 1.
Sounds like you’re getting in a good amount of practice.
I still don’t sound very good. I have a soprano sax and 2 lessons.
Its still a hit and miss to get the right tones to come out.
the deeper tones seem to turn into a squeek most times. Not sure if I’m putting the mouth piece too loose on the cork,..or if my embrasure just needs to get stronger,.. 🙁
But I fell in love with the sound of a sax and the looks and everything,…:-))
So I’m determined to learn.
Hey Jasmine,
Leaks in the horn which includes between the cork and the mouthpiece can cause leaks. To check to see if the fit on the cork is the issue, try pushing the mouthpiece on farther temporarily and see what happens. Do that especially if the cork seems worn down. You may be a bit flat, but don’t worry about that for a minute. See if the low notes come out better.
If they do, a temporary solution is to use a hair dryer to dry out the cork on the neck. Or you can use a little paper wrapped around the cork.
And the more permanent solution is to replace the cork.
Day 1 was just blowing and blowing more to see what would happen with different key combinations. Then i actually started class the nxt day.
Thanks Phillip
Yes, I recall that sound, 25 years ago, the sound of a cow, it was the that sound but I thought, in a years time I’m going to sound like sanborne, I had his sheet music albums, why not ,just practice makes perfect, but how wrong I was. I even had a teacher for two years, but all the above won’t make any difference
What you need is the desire to want to do it and and practice and practice correctly can’t over emphasize this ,it so, so important ,do not move on if you get stuck on something and learn all your scale,s ,keep practicing
Paul Fairchild
Thanks for sharing Paul
When I first started playing, I’m pretty sure that I sounded like a dying goose was attacking me. I had played the clarinet for a year before the tenor saxophone so I had had some idea of how to play a reed instrument.
After trying several times to play my scales, I honked out many horrible noises. But that was success at that point in time just to make noise. Now I’ve been playing for 3 years and I am much improved.
Thanks for sharing Darcy, glad things are coming along.
i played alto sax back in middle school all 3 years and was top of my class. 6 years later, i finally bought one of my own and realized that i have forgotten literally everything i ever learned except how to hold it.
so as of now i can only play if i see a fingering chart. it doesnt sound great…a little better than example 2. ill only get better from here and practice makes perfect. but i dont think ill learn to read sheet music 🙁 lol
Thanks Jesse
Hi Neal,
I inherited a tenor sax from my father so I’m going to learn to play it. I already play several instruments, mostly guitar-related, but also harmonica, trombone and drums.
My first day playing sounded a lot like Example 2. I managed to get some nice even tones but I need to learn the fingering.
I look forward to coming back to this site and eventually getting lessons through the Tribe. This is a great resource. I’ll also be looking for a teacher here in the Chicago area. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing Mark. Having the experience with the other instruments should be helpful. You might look up Greg Fishman in Chicago. Would also be happy to have you join Saxophone Tribe. http://saxophonetribe.com
I have only been playing since the first of the year. My first day was horrible. I think it took me 30 min to get the reed on the mouth piece. LOL. It was total frustration. I did not know how to read music etc. AND NO musical ability, other than loving to hear the saxophone all my life. LOL. I am older in life, age 52, So wish I picked this instrument up 40 years ago. My real question is Can I really play well older in life, and not take years in the process??? Vinny
Thanks Vincent,
You mean it took thirty minutes to line it up correctly?
It just takes time and focus to learn. Can you play well? Yes. It will take consistent practice and classes/lessons could help.
-Neal
My first notes were not that bad, only it sounds really loud. I dont think my neighbours would apreciate me playing the sax. I am practising for a week now. Cant read any notes but with the fingerchart I can get some sound out of it. Now make it into a whole song, but still practising!
Thanks Sam. Probably a lot of first notes are honked out. There is a minimum amount of air needed to play a note and it’s easy to go under or over. You learn to control the airstream with practice, which gives you more options with dynamics.
day 1 of playing saxophone for me really wasn’t too bad. though all i tried doing was make a nice sound out of it…my major challenge is i don’t have a tutorial book…
Thanks Fortune. Are you looking into getting a book? Which options have you looked at?
O was like The first one. I would say I am still like the first, and I confirm that I need much more air than my previous teacher
Keep working on it and you’ll get better! Thanks
I started in June, going straight from clarinet to tenor. I can’t say I was bad, but I certainly found it harder! It required a lot of air and the lowest I got was G. I was still able to play songs within a couple of hours, just not on the lower octave as well. I think I did really well considering. I was able to play the lower notes the next day and could play some of the songs, such as the beginning of eine kleine nachtmusik and minuet in G within several days to a week! It didn’t sound as good as on the clarinet, but I was very proud! Go saxophone!
Thanks Maddy!
My first day on alto sax was tough because was using my trumpet way of introducing to it but was working rather giving me a flute sound but later, i notice the pressure needed was just a little pressure unlike trumpet.
Thanks Menesax,interesting
I sounded more like the second recording my first try at playing sax. But I think I bit my lower lip, and the muscles around my mouth and face were so tired after a few minutes that I couldn’t play anymore.
Thanks Elizabeth, good you are aware of that though
I kept blowing n my breath wasnt even enough to blow the sax bt later on i did.
Thanks for sharing Alabi
Day one was rough, but I was able to get sound out of the tenor, several squeaks, and I realized I needed to teach my hands as much as my mouth to cooperate.
Hey Gloria,
Very true!
I could barely get a note out and my sound was very airy (I found out later my mouth piece was cracked) For all you just starting out don’t be discouraged when you don’t start with and epic sound all the pro’s started with that same sound it gets better I promise
Thanks Jazzy,
Good you realized that!
My Day 1 on alto sax was three years ago. I must have sounded awful — I remember a kind of honking — but the neighbors upstairs who heard me said, “I didn’t know you could play saxophone.” So I guess I fooled them a little. Maybe a Day 1 sax is not as bad as a Day 1 clarinet or trumpet or flute.
Having never played any instrument before I was pleasantly surprised I got any notes out it. The change in octave gave me the most difficulty
My children gave me an alto sax for my 50th birthday. They play music and they asked me in the past what my favourite instruments would be if I would start one. I sad Saxophone and they surprised me one. So I started lessons. On day one I learned how to put it together properly. I also played sound with the s-bow alone and then with the sax. I was a little frustrated when I realized it was not easy.
Within 20 minutes I wasn’t too bad – but trhen again I think I can sing! – apparently not I’m told by others!
Thanks Tony, it’s good to enjoy playing. Also important to listen and hear accurately when you want to improve.
I was able to play basic song. I played brass instruments before.
Cool, thanks for sharing Bobby
I had this urge to learn atleast on musical instrument that is very unique. So i pick the Sax. My first sound production was very discouraging as i could not produce a good sound. But with courage i kept at it. Today i can produce a good sound but can play fast songs.
Thanks Efe
i sounded like 1 lol
Not really a problem, you move on from there. Thanks
I sounded better than sample 2
That’s good, but I’m guessing not significantly better.
very mucjh like the forst guy looking forward to start. geeting the right octave and keeping it constant is the battle at moment
Thanks Gerald
I was example 1 and eventually, by day two, arrived at example 2. There is hope!
Definitely, keep at it.
I don’t remember what I sounded like the first time I payed sax in 4th grade. I pick up on stuff really easily but I’m no genius… I was probably honky like the rest of the kids.
Thanks Laurie.
I don’t really understand why I should write how I sounded back then but I guess it was pretty bad. I printed out a fingering chart and had big problems with getting the low notes 🙂
Many people have the illusion that people were born knowing how to play the saxophone and/or sounded great on day 1. I would like people to share their experiences to show that is not the case. Which I feel is encouraging for people since we all do not sound fantastic at the very beginning.
My first day was about 4 years ago on the 1st day of 6th grade,I had joined MS Band,and chose the Alto Sax as my instrument (Later changed to tenor). We mostly practiced notes,it was out of a book,and was mostly practicing tonguing which I didn’t get for a while later. It sounded pretty bad,as my only instrument before that was the piano. It was a lot of honking,and shakey notes like the video.
I am an adult beginner on the saxophone with a pretty solid musical background on the guitar which may (or may not) be a blessing? I was able to get a sufficient amount of air through the horn which allow about every 5th note to sound what I considered proper or as it should sound. Granted these were a random 5 notes because at that time I hadn’t even learned any notes so I was more or less blowing air through a horn.
My joy with getting a good sound was quickly displaced by fear and frustration because of an inability to be able to replicate the good notes at will. At that point it appeared good notes would only happen when some random factors that I was not aware of would line up properly.
Hey Craig,
Seems like knowing how to play guitar will help you, could be more so later on.
Thanks for sharing.
First day my girlfriend left for two days! :-).
Took saxophone lessons for about two years using the Rubank & Klose methods.
Achieved a decent sound with Rubber Otto Link Tone Edge #6 and Vandoreen Java 3.
Lost embouchure due to lack of practice. Forgot a lot of the basics. Would like to start from a beginners level again.
My sax is a Tenor Yanagisawa 901.
Thanks for sharing George.
Hi, We bought the alto sax for my 12 year old daughter for christmas and she learned some tunes the same day – by ear, such a natural, then she got herself into a band a few weeks later playing sax, but after 3 months she missed playing her guitar so gave up her sax.
It sat in it’s case for 10 years and I used to try to get a note out of it, then I found a tutor and on my first lesson I had put the mouthpiece on upside down – still took a week to get a note!
I’m 60 now and can play a few tunes! I still keep trying to practice – I’m not a musician like my daughter!
I’m a 21 year old pianist and vocalist (not trained, just self taught) and I brought home my first saxophone today.
I could get a sound out first try but I had trouble doing it consistently. Near the end of the day I felt like I was getting some decent, clear notes out of it, but I am having a lot of trouble replicating it at will.
I also find that some of my notes end before I actually intend them to and can’t decide how far down the mouthpiece I should hold my teeth.
Enjoyed getting a sound, not frustrated but happy to make it work. Able to play something like a simple lullaby first day.
Thanks Jarle!
I sounded a little honky for lack of a better word and out of control. I could produce notes but couldnt make them start or stop at will. playing in tune is still a struggle of mine even three and a half months in. but its getting there
Thanks for sharing Jordan.
I must be very fortunate as I was able to get decent tone right from the start and compliments on how it sounded.
Your tone has changed substantially since day 1, no?
On my first day, i quickly looked up a tutorial on holding the sax and how to put your mouth to it. As I was playing the trumpet years ago, i knew somethng about breathing technique and so i managed to get some decend sounds out of the sax.
That was exactly how I sounded at my first day. I feel embarrassing cuz my roommate is complaining abut the ” WEIRD NOISE” i make
I am over 40 and my lifelong dream has been to learn to play saxophone. Now, finally, I managed to make it happen. I managed to get alto saxophone from my friend the other day and now excited to practice. My first try sounded exactly like the first example. Horrible 😀 However, already the second try couple days later was much better. So with lots of work and practice it will improve quite fast.
I’m glad that I found your page, because it’s already given me great help. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by Rhia, you’ll definitely make progress quickly. Especially in the first months.
Sound on first day like a fog horn.
I am 60 never played any instruments before always fancied playing games the sax so here I am
Thanks Theo,
That’s pretty much what most people sound like on Day 1. Then you move past it.
I am a late started being in my late 60s. Some years ago I was staying in a holiday resort where the owner was practising on a wind instrument. I asked him what would be a good instrument to learn at my age and he said the “tin clarinet”.
I thought no such ‘animal’ (have subsequently found that there is a metal clarinet) he means the soprano saxophone so I bought a Selman (not a Selmer!) to see if I had any talent with this instrument.
Asked for advice from a co-worker who is a music teacher, she said that the soprano was too hard and that I needed an alto or baritone. But I persisted, my first attempt went B,A, high G.
Interesting story Chris, thanks for sharing. Hadn’t heard it called the ‘tin clarinet’ before.
The soprano is a bit harder to control the intonation, many times. But you can do it with some work. Talent is developed.
I Was too frustrated with the sound in my first day.
Now I have improve but Still not as Good as other sea players. I don’t feel a profesional in the instrument, but sometimes I charge as a professional. I don’t like how I feel with that. I need To improve !
Thanks
Thanks Fabio,
Definitely keep working on it. I think all professional saxophone player also want to improve!
My daughters gave me a saxophone as a present for my 50th birthday. I used to play the clarinet when I was a teenager. On the first day my cat left the room, she was so scared of the sound coming out of my saxophone. Now it’s improving every day, I learn on my own and it’s tough, but rewarding. Thanks for your page!
Thanks Pilar, glad your sound is coming along.
I could not get a sound out of it then i place a bet that a friend of mine would not be able to do it too then. but he did it and i lost the bet
Thanks Lekan,
That’s interesting.
I think for the first attempt at least one of the two people in my video got no sound. But then I suggested using more air.
Sounds like wanting to win the bet made your friend want to try harder!
Using too much air will kind of make you ‘honk’ but you will get a sound. Using too little air means no sound. You learn to balance between those two extremes as you learn the saxophone.
-Neal
The first day I didn’t sound too bad but that’s because before buying a saxophone my cousin had an extra sax mouthpiece he didn’t use so I blew on it without the sax so I could get used to it. On day one I got a better feeling about the instrument. What I did have trouble with was maintaining a note and maintaining sound in the scales
Thanks Miguel,
That’s interesting. Playing on the mouthpiece before actually playing the sax does seem like it would help a bit.
But I’m also not surprised it was difficult to maintain a sound. You may have found that certain notes were easier to maintain than others though.
In fact, the first day was so tough and difficult because I could not blow it conveniently. More so, my fingers were so stiff. But with the help of Recorder, I could try a little bit.
I started playing the summer before my 7th grade. I walked around blowing on the mouthpiece. It sounded like a peacock. I played thru to the 9th grade and a couple of years after. Now I’m 49 and want to start playing the sax again.
Hehe I remember my 1st day of playing the alto saxophone. This proffesor had his classes in the attic with two wooden beams 4 meters apart from each other. And I always had to step over thw first one and my little feet could barely do it. I was 10 or so. And I remember the weight of saxophone and how I almost fell becaouse if it.
And how I sometimes got headaches because I was blowing into it way to much and I was running out of air. In those times I remember that I sounded really horrible. I couldn’t get enough air so the saxophone made this sound like the wind was blowing.
But I do miss it here and there and I really hope soon I’ll have enough time to focus some more on playing my beautiful alto saxophone. 😀
First day was all about getting sounds and playing scales. Most went well. Extreme highs and lows were challenging. Lots of honking! Eventually, I was playing lines with my favorite recordings….badly, but doing it. Very exciting!
Thanks Chuck
the first day for me was pretty good cause i used to play record and i spend a month on youtube watching how to blow on saxophone before i got my dear alto sax
Suprisingly not too bad!!!!
On day one,? I remember I could barely make a sound. But I believe I did make a few, and wore myself out trying to learn it all in a day. I didn;t understand how it didn’t come together for me immediately.
My first day was terrible! I blew and blew into my sax but no sound came out! I thought it was faulty only to discover that the key protector was stuffed into the sax and i had not removed it.
When band started in sixth grade all I wanted to do was rush through learning how to put together my alto, into actually PLAYING something. When we were told to open our books I was ecstatic. We learned the three notes that were in the song and I was doing horrible, as I was squeaking frequently and my tone was horrible. When we started to play the song everybody was on different tempo and the clarinets sounded horrible. I remember playing the first time then pretending to play the rest because my tone was horrible, I couldn’t quite count with the band teacher Mr. Stewart and I kept squeaking. I felt horrible and tried to convince my mom to take my sax back to the music store but she made me keep going and boy am I glad she did!
My sound isn’t terrible. ive been playing in my high school’s begining band for most of the year however, i have a literacy fair coming up for my french class and i dont know any adequate pieces on my tenor. nothing good enough to play in front of a crowd that i dont know
my day one was the worst ever I couldn’t get the d in tune the first note you ever learn on sax.
My first day attempting to get a sound from the saxophone helped me to reaffirm my commitment to learning. I could not produce a sound.
saxendd saying hi again and wishing that you all realise your aspirations on the saxophone. Hi Neal and thanks for your feedback, much appreciated always.
I still do remember not being able to produce a sound on that first day, but since then i have learnt to do so and much more besides. One of the most amazing, personally fulfilling and ever inspiring capabilities I have seen emerge from with me, is the ability to read simple pieces of music. And play what i see! A bg upside to this, is that i have wholeheartedly embraced the SaxStations material I got hooked up with around the time of that post.
Happy blowing ya’al
regards
saxendd
Thanks Saxendd,
Appreciate your comment.
And glad it has helped.
-Neal
When I first played a saxophone, it was so funny that even my friends were shoughting on me to stop that am disorganazing their ears. Hahahahaha, it was a funny experience.
Hi Neal and company, firstly i like to thank you for this opportunity for me to learn about playing the saxo and for your videos, they have been of great help for me,
i bought a second hand Yamaha YAS 23 and ive been practising an hour daily for over a month, my mouthpiece is the yamaha 5c, when i first started playing i sounded the same as tge example shown, after a month i can play differebt songs but im not happy with the sound of my saxo.
my wife says it sounds like im choking a duck
i played bamboo flute for years and it is my first time to got hold of alto sax.
i was losing my breath and i can’t play the notes well, just like the example video.
It was hard for me the first day, but I still have determination to know it
Today is the first time I ever held a saxophone.I got sound and it didn’t sound too awful either. I have good breath control from singing. Now I have to learn some notes, sooo many buttons!
The first day I had a lot of squeaky sounds I felt some discomfort around my lips, & it didn’t feel good
My first time playing the saxophone was with my friend’s alto saxophone. At first I find it hard to produce a sound but I was able to produce a squeaky sound at the end and was able to play a scale
Sounds like fairly fast progress!
Wow. I started playing saxophone after playing clarinet for a year so I guess i did pretty good then. Back then i was just playing a vintage yamaha student alto. Now, three years later, I play a conn new wonder two. I’ve also picked up a bari a few times and played with my jazz band and I will start a little on c melody soon.
Playing clarinet first definitely helps the transition, I started on clarinet too.
Yesterday I tried to play sax for the first time. I don’t have any musical experience and it was quite interesting. The sound was like in the example 1. After the lesson I tried it at home and my family said that its like vuvuzela.
Thanks Onur, interesting comparison, hadn’t heard that one before!
When I first started playing sax, I was really clueless about what I was doing because I had no experience on playing, the first instrument I played was tuba.
But I was like example 1 after those notes I just kinda gave up and put it away cuz I didn’t understand.
But now I know more than the fist day, so now I don’t give up anymore.
Thanks Victoria
On day one my sound was alright. The hardest thing for me was being able to hold it comfortably.
I played flute first so I am use to an instrument that is very light. Then I switch to an instrument that is heavy.
I think I am going to love playing saxophone.
Interesting, make sure that the neckstrap is adjusted properly, otherwise you may cause some problems.
That makes sense that you would sound all right after first playing flute, some similarities.
On my first day i thought i sounded like a pro only to find my practise partner laugh at me…i couln’t just understand why. When i got to listen to the notes properly, that was when i knew i was just a noise maker.
That’s funny, probably good to realize that you didn’t sound like a pro that first day! But then you progress from there.
O well, on my first day of saxophone (that it looks that never goes) the sound was one you could expect if you are killing elephants.
I did not found it easy, even when I played the recorder for several years, and I play the recorder pretty good. I wish to learn more about my instrument and how to play it better.
The first time I played the alto sax, it sounded so coarse and i felt a lot of discomfort on my lips. I tried a couple of times the same day and was able to run the scale on C comfortably. I was also able to play to a popular tune
Thanks for sharing Ademuyiwa
I could not hold my breadth and my brother always told me to stop playing
Thanks for sharing, that doesn’t sound too encouraging….. I assume you got better
I could play a few notes that sounded sort of like a saxaphone. It was encouraging. Started with C scale.
Thanks for sharing Paolo, that’s good you were optimistic
My 1st day was a rough one trying to get a note out properly was not happening yet I did not give up on myself I am looking to moving forward I have faith in me and with Neal I know I will get there
Could not get the notes to sound the same each time I played them? Also need more puff!
My first time waa pretty interesting. I was able to run the scales quite easily due to some videos I had watched. Breath control was my first problem..knowing when to catch breath while playing. It was quite difficult at first, but with time and practice I’m better now.
I’m a bit disappointed in myself. Could only play notes on the top hand. Bottom hand are just squeaks.
Will persevere though. My alto saxophone was a birthday present from my sister.
If you haven’t played similar instruments before, that’s fine to have played what you did. The notes on the saxophone are not equally difficult. I’m assuming you put your fingers in the right places using a fingering chart. Some people have trouble playing even one note on day one.
Now 60, I played clarinet until 17 and then Alto for a short while. Nothing since!
Asked for and got a tenor for Xmas – Conn Selmer. Honestly I expected
it to be easier to get a strong clear note, seem to remember Alto was easier. Opposite to what some others have experienced, as an ex-clarinet player, I blow too hard and have too tight an embrochure. So while I can get the upper register, low notes below D are hard! More squeaks than I expected, but persevering. After 3 weeks I can play the first page of the Pink Panther correct some of the time!
Hello Andy,
Thanks for sharing!
Possible a softer reed would help you get the lower notes.
I Was Frustrated Because I Could Not Blow Air For Five Seconds Before I Start Feeling Dizzy And Also Felt Pain In My Lower Lip
Thanks for sharing Jude. You might have been using a reed that was too hard for you.
I honestly can’t remember what I sounded like, I was in 4th grade (which was a long time ago). I am sure it was similar to these. Now my issue is I am picking up my horn after not playing for years. I played throughout middle and high school, then quit after graduation, 18 years ago. I have picked it up here and there, but never for any extended period of time. I have been wanting to get back into playing. I am a busy mom of 3 young boys.
I sounded more like number 2.. I used to play cornet a long time ago though 🙂
On your “How To Get More Out Of Saxnation” page, you should offer an additional option to the Level of Sax Playing drop-down menu. Neither of the two options really applies to me. I am in the category of player who is returning to the sax after a long absence. I played throughout high school but stopped playing when I realized physical limitations (slight double-jointedness in my fingers, causing them to occasionally lock up) would keep me from being what I thought was very good (i.e., being able to play fast and fiery, as it were).
After many years, I’ve decided that, while I may never be able to play really fast, I could possibly get good at being able to play with feeling. I also write my own songs and can often “hear” places for a sax in them, so I’ve decided to take up the sax again. While I don’t remember everything I once knew, I do remember enough to not be starting completely at square one, so I’m not quite sure which category to put myself in.
Possibly, how would you label this category?
Not to bad sound on first day!
the first day was so tough and difficult because I could not blow it conveniently. More so, my fingers were so stiff.
Thanks for sharing AJ
Sounds just like the first example lol
Like Walt from the Feb 28 post, I am a returning sax player. (I played in elementary school and am in my 50’s now but I still consider myself a beginner….)
So, on my first day I was able to pipe out a C major scale after getting some tips from a youtube video. I am an unschooled and untrained semi-pro R&R bass player and look forward to not only playing the sax but learning to read music and understand some theory.
Thanks for sharing Johnny
I sounded it very well on my first day
Have any recordings from around then?
I had played the flute for a short time before so got an ok tone. I just love the sax and finally got lessons. But I got sick, and have been for 5 years, so playing wasn’t possible. I’m going to try to work on my fingering while I can’t play, at least I’ll feel like I’m doing something!
Thanks Miriam, hope you start to do better soon. Maybe playing piano would be easier if you’re having trouble with the air for the saxophone. You can practice music regardless of the instrument.
That’s a good idea thanks Neal, I can practice scales or something.
If I remember the first day if I got any sound its squeaks squeaks very frustrated mouth in different places on the mouthpiece to try to manipulate the sound.
I started with a broken antique alto. It felt good in my hands but screamed at me every time I picked it up for ten years before my wife had it overhauled.
Then it still squeeked a bit for a while but could be sooo sweet when everything was right.
Now, I play entirely by ear. I want to learn the language to be better at playing/communicating with other musicians and reduce my wrong note output.
Can you direct me in a useful plan?
Yes. You could check out http://saxophonetribe.com
If you have one, go here to ask a question, thanks
https://saxstation.com/ask-a-saxophone-question
By providing some information I ask for on that page, you’ll get a better answer to your question.
It sounds just like before
Day 1, Wow, that was 28 years ago… After playing in band for 7 years and accomplishing much, I sold my instruments and focused on my visual art for all this time. Without a band it just seemed kind of pointless and definitely wasn’t fun anymore. But I do remember working the first day with a sheet of scales, a fingering chart and a metronome. I was just trying to play whole notes… hahaha.
I worked my way through high school and had a Selmer Tenor Sax, Super Action 80. Now I’m being called to join the worship team at my synagogue and just ordered a Selmer Soprano Series III, Jubilee Edition, so hopefully when I get it next week I won’t sound as bad as that very first day!
But it will be like starting over again, so back to scales and a fingering chart, while I try to recall all the knowledge that made me a great player for so many years. That’s a lot to remember and relearn. I have six months to get ready for the band!
Thanks for sharing Thane. I imagine you can sound good pretty quickly given that you played before. Practice everyday if you can.
After years of been eager to play it, the first day wasn’t that bad but had to keep blowing air for some minutes before I could produce a sound , and that was just two weeks ago and I could run a scale up and have to take a breadth to run it down, still don’t know how to sustain breadth for minutes, but hoping to learn here
You want to play for minutes without stopping to take a breath?
I think I probably sounded like example 2…I also have an alto sax, which I had played once in a while after I had it for awhile…Now it’s the soprano sax that I’m working on perfecting…
Thanks for sharing Ron
The Alto Sax that I am using use to belong to my older brother. It is about 50 plus years old at this time. I may have to invest in another Alto; however, I am playing with my Soprano at this time. I play by ear at this point. I started out on the chrome B flat clarinet with only 6 months in training while in the fifth grade. I was on my own after that short exposure of training. I was able to read music and even wrote pieces for myself to play along with bands and groups on the radio or vinyl. This (playing an instrument) was my own little world and escape from the negativity of society as a little guy. Because I did not maintain a continuous self training program , I lost that ability to read sheet music. Therefore, I am moving into that direction and play by ear in the church choir. Well, anyway I was involved with the military, aviation and schooling to maintain proficiency. It is my passion to pass on to others to adopt an instrument, be it’s companion and learn.
Thanks for sharing Michael
My next by said, “is that the doom horn from the bible?” beacause of my terrible sound while learning long tone with wierd sound. Unforgettable moment
Had not heard that one before!
Hi Neal,
Greetings from the Philippines.
I used to be a keyboard player in a band and decided to switch to a sax.
I started out about 4 months ago with one of those Chinese made pocket saxes and have been playing a Nuvo J-Sax for about 3 months in which I can play well enough to give stage performances. I recently acquired a King C-Melody about 2 weeks ago and was actually able to do a gig with a band using the King after a week- I can easily do 2 octaves.
My current problem is I sometimes get overtones in the low register and I also constantly I get a squeak in the 2nd octave and unable to consistently directly hit notes above D with the the palm keys- I can do them sometimes when walking up the notes up to F, however most of the time I end up with a squeak that then becomes a wail. I can slide and slur tones and do a decent vibrato. My current mouthpiece is a Chinese Yibuy #6 with a 2 1/2 Rico Royal reed. I know its early days yet but I would love to get rid of the squeak, be more consistent on the palm key range and hopefully be able to go altissimo later on. Thanks in advance for the assistance
Sounds like you’re progressing fairly quickly. Some things take time. If there are mechanical problems with the saxophone that can slow things down, not sure if that is the case for you.
Hi Neal,
I don’t think its the sax as it has been recently overhauled, so I guess it must be me doing something incorrectly as I have never done any exercises and just proceeded to playing tunes directly.
Just retired – always wanted to play an instrument and love the sound of tenor sax. Day 1 was not too bad but after just a couple practices realize just how much there is to learn. Looking forward to learning and playing.
Glad you’re enjoying it so far.
I sound like a strangled duck
The sax sounds amazing the vibration from it especially in the low notes make it really good
I can only barely make a sound and bite myself after first day then take 3 days off.
Sounds like it would have helped to have gotten some lessons.
My first attempts were awkward, but there is a fascination about the sax that draws me to it. I need more work developing my sound.
The first sound was very horrifying as my mum bumped in ma room to check on what was wrong. Hahaha
on my first day of playing saxophone was of December 30, 2018 (very recent actually) then I started to research on youtube mostly on how to play the saxophone for beginners. I own a soprano sax and on my first day I tried some few notes, and some are very bad and some are kinda good if I do say so myself, while I was researching on youtube I came across sax station’s channel, which helped me with my embrochure. Then I tried to memorize all of the chords on my soprano saxophone, and tried practicing the pink panther theme, so that everytime I practice I’m not just blowing any random notes.
I started on clarinet and that made it easier but low notes sucked. Now I’m ale to play almost all the notes on tenor
Thanks Dyana
I started playing alto sax about a year ago; doing about 2 weekends per month for practice. I used a book on notes and then turned to YouTube videos to try out easy songs. In the beginning, I sounded more like player 2:-). Had issues playing in the higher octave as well as the very low notes in the lower octave.
Things are getting slightly better especially after I bought a synthetic reed which doesn’t take too much air to vibrate. One issue I struggle with is tonguing, I find myself using the lips more to start notes instead of the tongue. Need to learn that aspect.
Cool, let me know if you’re interested in classes.
Well, yesterday my sax arrived! I am 56, have been a jazz drummer for 40 years, have been studying the Native American flute for 10, and decided to check something off the bucket list, learning to play the soprano sax! My $285 Opus usa soprano got here yesterday and I can play the 3 to 6 mid range notes you mention in your videos. I spent a few weeks watching beginner lesson videos before the sax arrived. I can not play the low notes. I am not sure if the ‘notes’ I am playing are notes or harmonics? As I am playing, the notes will occasionally jump registers, or sometimes sound like a soprano sax if I blow harder. I can however put small melodic lines together on the few notes I can play, and on my tuner, the notes show up a step flat, which I believe is correct because of the transposition? Anyway, I’m loving it for now!!!
Yes, better to start with the midrange I think. You can check out the beginning class I made if you’re interested, https://saxstation.com/saxophone-foundations-beginning-saxophone-class
holding the instrument itself was a problem let alone fingering and pitching it. I could not pitch a tone. It was air i blew for hours until my tutor showed me the technique to pitch. though i am not perfect today. I am doing my best to learn the scale.
I think my busy schedule is giving delaying learning of the the Romantic instrument
May first day of playing the sax was an air sound with sqeeks. i come a long way from that and then put it away for a while now I’m back at it.
Thanks for sharing Mark.
so bright and i try to make a perfect sound
Just didn’t get a nice sound.
Most people don’t on the first day, it takes practice.
When I first played sax, I remember learning how to blow into it and play fairly quickly. I was in middle school and its funny, as a kid you pick things up quicker… possibly because of the fresh innate curiosity in our minds and fingers… in other words, we are open and excited to explore new things, there is no fear, hesitation, or resistance, or least less of it. Now as an adult, I am picking up the sax YEARS later lol… and in becoming aware of how my eagerness to learn and explore new things has stiffened over time…. I am opening up once again… so in short, I have picked up my sax and am channeling my inner child 🙂 … hopefully this innerchild is relate to KennyG Lol #eagertolearn
I sounded better than either example, but in fairness, I am a multi instrumentalist, constantly learning new instruments, and I had “had a go” on friends’ instruments over the years, albeit limited to producing a note, not fingering any notes
Hi, i’m a brazillian guy and I’m playing sax for the first time in my life and it’s being very difficult to find online content that can be useful like your classes.
I’m trying to understand the mechanics of the tenor sax and your classes are helping a lot. Thanks.
i sounded like a flawless robin
i didn’t sound how i expected to sound. i sounded impatience
That is fairly common. It’s going to take work to master most things and it won’t happen immediately.
I played the saxaphone for 3 years in middle school. That was 40 years ago. Over the years there were many times I wished I had kept my sax and had kept playing, but that’s all it really was…a wish.
Then, last month there were a few nights that someone (I still don’t know who) sat out on their front porch playing Christmas songs on their saxaphone and that’s what made me decide to stop wishing and finally get back to it.
My instrument arrived 5 days ago, and on the first day I was nearly in tears…I had been ripped off! The sax made no sound whatsoever! Ok, turns out it was just me, I had forgotten the effort involved in getting my mouth just right. In the last few days I have managed to go from no sound, to horrid sound, to “not too shabby” on my scales.
I am super excited to learn all I can and be the one playing Christmas songs on the front porch next year!
I sounded like player 2
hi im a versatile musician, i play quiet a lot such as african djembe, 5 string bass guitar, american indian wood drone flutes, drums in church 7 plus years. alto sax for 1-2 years by ear. it began when i was in high school band and wanted to learn the saxophone but the teacher forbid females playing saxophones so later in life i still couldn’t get away from the drawing sensation of it. so started off with a bundy alto, never knew anything about it nor had any lessons or books or youtube at the time. so i used my head and got first sound, which was surprising, then learned playing by ear with other musicians. later in life i sold it and saved up to get a vintage conn naked lady 10m and loved that horn since, i had it restored n etc. so i wanted to start from ground up, i can read music somewhat, however i have no direction in my playing style, i want to be able to play music with it and know what im playing, know what the next movement will be with the understanding of example: this is note ? in scale of C and i’ll know the next note is going to be ? , i would like to get to that point of knowing what im playing instead of just playing without knowing.
i got the beat and rthym due to my many years of being a drummer n etc. however i started using a metronome with this tenor saxophone. also i know i need to practice per daily. i have been doing breathing exercises with mouthpiece right now.
Interesting background. Can you play any songs yet?
I guess I was one of the rare exceptions. My teacher was amazed at the sound I was able to get on the first day. Low B flat was a little bit of a challenge, but low C was easy. The C major scale I was playing on my first day. I struggle a little hitting that high E though. I have been playing for 5 weeks now and I play about 25 songs or more. I know most of the fingering for my sharps and flats, though still have to cheat and look at fingering chart once in awhile. I played the trumpet many years ago but haven’t played in over 35 years. I am having a lot of left thumb pain though and can’t seem to overcome it. I practice at least an hour a day seven days a week. I will be 82 in July of this year and find this is a great way to enjoy my retirement. Wish I had started sooner as I realize that with the time I have left, I am limited on how much progress I can make.
All right, that’s good. Unusual. I’m not sure why your left thumb would hurt while playing saxophone, I think it’s unrelated to playing?
I used to play wind instruments as a kid but I dropped it while growing up… I am picking interest in playing saxophone because I love the sound. Well my first attempt was quite funny, trying to blow in air to make a sound but after sometime I began to make a fair sound . Playing doesn’t really seem difficult because i am a litttle bit used to wind instruments. i just have a problem with making good sounds
Thanks. Keep practicing.
The sound on day 1 was TERRIBLE. no note i blew even sounded like a musical instrement
Sound like a duck 🙁
Hola! saludos desde chile, sueno como un pato 🙁
Saludos Felipe, gracias para compartir en dos idiomas
Only found your site day 3, can confidently say I sound just as awkward as the samples despite the few days advantage.
I don’t remember my first day at all; I was probably 9 or 10 years old, but I’m sure I must have sounded like any other beginner.
On the first day, I couldn’t make any sound.
It was a long time before I could play the first octave.
Thanks Jarek. What was the first note you could play?
Due to playing the HiXing little saxes, which use an Alto mouthpiece, my wife and I weren’t too similar to wounding a goose when first playing the Tenor sax, only we both were playing in the same, higher octave, despite fingering from the low C key up. Relaxing our embouchure enough to get a C in the lower register was/is a bit difficult.
Thanks for sharing David.
I was so bad on the first day I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay, but I love the sound of the instrument
Thanks Tom, day 1 doesn’t really sound great for many people. But you should keep getting better as you practice.
Hi everyone!
You believe it or not when I made my first sound with mouthpiece and neck, I got scared because of the sound which came out when I blew.
I’m pretty sure that it might sound a little funny but just wanted to share with you all.
Hi everyone,
I got my saxophone (tenor) as a gift from my best friend, I swear I had goosebumps when I opened the box … but even worse when I tried to blow for the first time! no sound came out … I was disappointed, so I left it aside for weeks, before I got started recently: i think now I have motivation … do not be unmotivated !!!
Thanks for sharing Sohelimo, I think that’s more common than you might think to not get a sound on the first attempt. I think most people will be able to with enough air within a few minutes though.
Day 1. Is this the same instrument that John Coltrane used to play? The shrieking has sent my wife out of the house and the dogs to the garage. I think the cats may have left permanently.
Having played clarinet off and on since 1955, I got a bari sax in about 2003. I thought it would be like a big clarinet. Wrong. After blowing some awful hoots and honks, I took a few lessons and started to get the hang of it. Soon it became my favorite instrument, and it still is.
Yep, clarinet and saxophone are fairly different. Glad you’re enjoying it!
-Neal
I played back in high school for 4 years. Then I had a really bad accident and part of my rehab was to get back in to playing again so now that I’m started to play again I didn’t sound all that bad I though I wasn’t going to remember any of the notes.
Thanks for sharing Teresa. What can you play at this point?
I’m not sure if I can describe how I sounded on day 1, but I’ll give it a try. The sound doesn’t come out consistently the same, meaning it sounds like I’m playing different octaves unintentionally. I’m not sure if it’s incorrect mouth placement or the reed. The reed seems tobe fine. It’s challenging.
Thanks for sharing Van. Keep practicing and you should keep getting better. It’s easier to start with the mid range of notes. I would not expect to play all the notes within days. But you should continue to be able to expand your range.
I sounded amazing on my first day! Joking obviously, I sounded terrible, but with YouTube videos I’m hoping I sound a bit better.
Thanks for sharing Cassie. You should get better with practice. Have you taken some lessons?
First time I played the sax, I even didn’t know how to place my fingers! It sound like a truck horn. Then began to take some lessons.
Thank you Neal for your website! I am a clarinetist who has difficulty with the low notes. I have an alto at home and a soprano at the school I teach. No saxophone students yet, but I want to be ready. I play alto at my church on a 98 year old Martin!! The intonation is a little wonky sometimes but we’re making it work..
Cool, older horns can be tough to play sometimes but they can sound good.
It was pretty cool I’ve play alto clarinet and tenor sax before got to get my embrochure back right
Thanks for sharing Johniece.
Hi! Picked up a tenor after 40 years. My sound was rough but I was able to play a few notes.
Sounded too loud. Couldn’t really control the sound but it wasn’t bad in my opinion but my listeners weren’t smiling