Yesterday evening Alex and I had our first saxophone lesson. We went with a single alto sax that we can share (we have separate straps and mouthpieces).
Alex went first and did really well (I mean *really* well – the kid has a gift). Within a minute or two he was getting good sounds, his fingering was right on and he was enjoying it as well. All the hallmarks of success.
After his turn our instructor set him up on one of her computers where he spent the next 45 minutes or so going through instructional material on the saxophone. I didn’t do that, having watched him during his session, so I’m not sure exactly what was covered. I’m not sure if I’ll do that next time or if I’ll continue to watch Alex during his session.
While Alex was going through the computer lessons it was my turn on the sax. I have to preface the rest by saying that after purchasing our sax I spent about 30 minutes without any real problems making sounds (saxophone sounding sounds 
Only later did I find that I had the mouthpiece upside down and the reed was completely dry, two things that should have made playing it difficult. So imagine my surprised frustration when I was only able to make reasonable sounds a few times, the rest of the duration limited to squeaks and moans.
It’s the reed, it has to be the reed!
Just kidding. I am going to have to spend some time practicing with the mouthpiece separate from the horn and learn to get the airflow and vibration correct. Fortunately I have my commute for that. The reed is soaking in water as I write this. With luck I’ll figure out the right placement and airflow quickly and get to the rest of the lessons.
Before our lessons Alex told me that he wished I already knew how to play the sax and that I could be his teacher. That was great to hear. Won’t happen on this one, but with that attitude I’ll be able to teach him the things I do know, and that will be wonderful.
Filed under: Music
