That's funny saxman13 about your "director biting your head off about Kenny G". lol. For me, ironically it was Kenny G that got me into playing sax in the first place. 2 words: Duotones and Silhouette. Nowadays his stuff is crap, but back in the day he was cool with me. I originally wanted to play the soprano, but they didn't have any parts for it in band in high school so I had to settle for an alto. Morning Tenderness (Najee) has been out for a minute (ok, well two or three...lol), but now that I'm listening to it for the umpteenth time, it's under my skin again. So! After many years, I'm now going to indulge myself and get what I always wanted which was the soprano.:0) You have any recommendations? I don't need professional quality because it's just a hobby. I'm trying not to go too far over $1000. It doesn't need to be new either, just looking for decent sound and in shape mechanically. Thanks. :0)

I started sax because my mom wanted me to play it and I just wnated to play something. After I got into it just kinda became part of myself and the thought of losing the ability to play breaks my heart.

LOL, what a good question. I honestly have no clue why I play the saxophone. I started out in band on the flute, but my teacher took me off after a month because I kept holding it wrong XD . So, the next class she asked me what I wanted to play, and if it weren't for the fact that there weren't already eight clairinets, I'd probably be playing that. So I for some reason chose alto sax. I have the sneaking suspicion that my friend, who until this year played tenor sax, influenced my decision. I mean, I still would like to play flute, but I'm in love with playing the sax. I would like to switch to tenor sometime, but I don't really want to because that would require getting a new instrument. And I don't wanna do that, because my alto feels like my baby, because its the same one I've played since I started. But I do like the sound that the tenor makes.

I think this forum is weird. However, I think saxes are the coolest instrument for jazz, and they don't sound too shabby playing classical music either.

hmm why do we play the sax?
I learned trumpet first, and was curious about how hard the sax was to play. Found my sister's alto saxophone, learned enough to capture my interest in about an hour, than got a tenor for myself. I play sax because it is a pure and effective way to express myself through music. Dont have to think about chops or difficulties when playing that help to distract from what you really want to say. Also good because it's a low chop-maintenance instrument as you dont have to play on a regular basis to maintain ability (BIG PLUS for a trumpet player with no time to play). Gotta love the sound of a good tenor saxophonist as well.

i started on the alto sax when i was in 5th grade, now i'm 42 and i just bought a yamaha 82Z. So i have to re-learn almost everything LOL. But its slowly coming back to me. Biggest thing is to get the facial muscles back into gear. Taking lessons once a week.