Hello to all from a new sax player

[Don Cake]

Hi all, Johnny suggested I post my story on this forum. FYI my sax is a “severin alto” made in Twiwan vintage 1970s in Champagn gold brass!
Here is the story
Hi Johnny, hope your Christmas went well. As you know, I had a rented alto sax in January 2015…and got all excited about learning to play it. Sadly, it went back to the rental shop after one month. Soooo being determined to have my own sax…but not having much spare cash…I began hunting for a deal on one. Finally in early December, a pawn shop had one behind the counter, just hanging on a hook. Took a good look at it…it was a little dirty, but looked to be in good playing condition. Due to the fact that it was missing a mouthpiece…he said I could have it for $60. Done! Bought a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece…tried it out…it was hard to get a decent note out!!! I did a lot of research and learned how to clean the grunge off of the pads etc. Looked like a couple of levers were bent…so after straightening them out…Presto…it plays pretty good. Then fashioned a snake light to do a leakage test the way a tech does. Found one more leak and now have a sax that gets all the notes…and with decent tone!! I practice every day…doing basic scale excercises like major / minor, and pentatonic scale runs. Now doing basic arpeggios. Looking for some blues riffs, and thought of your site. Feel free to show this to others if you like. I know…I know, you strongly advise against a novice going about sax playing this way, but if you do your homework, and are handy with mechanical things…you could end up with a nice playable sax!. Your thoughts?
Donnykeys 🙂
PS: I have some tech tips for poor beginners should you be interested. I am formally a B3 player and have been playing for two weeks with good progress to date.
Sincerely
DonnyKeys

[wayne wojnarowski]

WELCOME DON CAKE!!! I want to know as you were pounding out your pawn shop GEM! you thought of Johnnies site how?? It sounds like you know your stuff about horns, how’s it sounding now?I know what you mean I have a old Martin alto, really though I’d save my money and get a decent entry level horn you can get a decent horn for cheap bucks and decent tone for starting out. But I totally understand finding a “HIDDEN GEM” getting it to play very cool!! I’m sure Johnnie will have a comment or so!! Welcome Don.

[john]

well Don I probably would have given up on that sax so good on you for seeing it through!
Sounds like you’re practicing all the right things now. if you’re ready for a little blues there are some free lesson videos which you can access on the index home page.

good luck!
Johnny

[Anonymous]

Welcome Don Cake, i’m glad to see your surname isn’t Key. lol
No but seriously – it’s a great , very useful site.
JF’s tips or replies are second to none, in terms of understanding.

[Natalie Thompson-Clarke]

Welcome Don! Gosh what a find, good on you for persevering with it. Sounds like you really struck lucky. Don’t forget to check out JF’s fab vids on the blues. Good luck

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