I want to start playing the sax. I`m almost 40 years old and I`ve been playing the flute for a lot of years. (I also play a couple of other things, but I don`t have to blow into them.)

I have a couple of questions.

First, What do most beginners start playing, Tenor or Alto? which is better for a flute player to start on?

Second, Are there any common brand saxophones to avoid? I don`t want a low end student model. I`m an adult with a job and I have some money. I plan on buying once, I don`t want to have to upgrade in a couple of years as my playing gets better. But on the other hand, I`m not going to play professionaly. Maybe some local gigs with some rock bands, but just for fun.

Contrary to popular opinion in the flute world, I don`t really care for Yamaha, I had some bad experiences. I have a Jupiter DeMedici flute and I like that alot. Is a Jupiter sax a quality product? What about the metal in the instrument? I see some instruments with silver necks, is that better or worse than brass?

Man, by the above questions, you can see that I`m lost. Any advice would be greatly appriciated.

Bob, it really doesn`t matter which one you start on obviously tenor takes a bit more air in the lower register. Most younger students start on alto (mostly because of the size), but as an adult it won`t matter. If you plan to play with local rock or blues band, tenor will fit that style better. I prefer tenor for jazz/rock/blues and alto for classical.
The 4 Major brands of saxophones that you should consider are Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Selmer and Keilworth. I know you said you were not a fan of Yamaha, but right now they put out one of the best Alto sax`s (875EX) that you can buy, however it costs some money. Yamaha`s representative for saxophone is Eugene Rousseau, who was taught by one of the two great (and original) classical saxophonists, Marcel Mule (the other is Sigmund Rasher). Sorry for the History lesson. My personal choice to you would be a Yanagisawa T901 or A901 tenor or alto respectively, they are Yani`s entry line models (Yanagisawa only makes professional horns) and start at around 2k. Selmers are great horns but costly (you pay for more of a name). I don`t know much about Keilworth, but from what I understand it holds it`s own with the other three.

Bottom line go for whichever sax you like better.
My recommendation to you would be either a Yani A901 or T901 or a Yamaha YAS-62 or YTS-62, all the horns are entry level professional ones. Keep an open mind and ultimately go with one that is comfortable for you.

Good luck with saxophone

i agree with cj, for rock and all tenor would probably be a better choice. Of course, just for the opinion factor, I prefer selmers and keilwerths (I own a alto keilwerth shadow, and I absolutly love it!) over the yamahas, but as cj hasn`t experianced keilwerths, I havn`t been into the yanis. But just to reiterate what cj said (I end up doing this alot, sry cj) just try some of the different horns, and see what you like best. The only problem with this is that, being as you havn`t played sax, you probably wouldn`t be able to notice a difference! Maybe ask around for a good setup for rockish stuff and go for it, or get an intermidiate horns or osmething first to get the feel of it, then pick a nice one. hope this helps.

you`ve hit on the exact problem. I can`t play sax yet. If I go and try different horns, I might as well be blowing into a garden hose. If I go and look at them, I`ll end up buying based on appearence, and good looks don`t mean good sound. so I have to think of more practicle ways to decide. Like which models hold their resale value or what do most people use. That why I`m asking the opinions.

I`m pretty sure I want a tenor sax made by one of the big four. The only exceptions I might consider are the Jupiter Artist series or a Kessler Custom.

I`m also considering renting until I make a decision, that way I don`t feel presured to decide quickly.

Renting would be a good idea. When you do try this humbling experience, record what you sound like. Of coarse do this once you get the hang of playing, but nothing is more truth telling than that.

Later
CJ

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All the 4 majors will hold their resale value, selmer probably more than others, (we're talking name here). Look at the mark VI, arguably the best sounding horn, but I find them difficult to play, their value is extremely high. I don't think you can go wrong with Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Keilworth and Selmer, as for Jupiter and Kessler I'm not sure but the resale will not be as high.

Hope these are giving you some ideas

Later

Well I did it. I went ahead and rented a sax. I got a new Yamaha YTS23A. It should be good for a start.

Am I right to say that that is the yamaha beginner horn? Good choice either way. If you have any questions, feel free to ask or email, though cj probably can help you more than i with the real technical questions.

So far, So good. I`ve been playing for a few hours and I`m getting a pretty good sound out of the horn. Fingering is very natural because I`ve played flute for so long. My lips are a little numb.

My first question, first of many I assume, is about the mouthpiece. How far should it be pushed onto the cork? It seems to go on about 3/4" without any problem. Is the adjustment of the mouthpiece, like the headjoint on a flute, the method of tuning?

yeah, push in, it goes sharp, pull out, flat. as for where it should be, it varies by how you play and by horn, so maybe you should get a tuner or something if your worried about it

Nice choice, that was my first horn up until I started college you will like it. Any questions or problems let me know and I will do what I can to help. Thanks for the positive input wildband.

Good playing
CJ

Thanks for everyone`s good advice. I`m sure I`ll have many questions. Stay tuned.