rich p said:
My daughter has abandoned her saxophone at our house and I'm toying with the idea of learning to play it. I have never shown any musical talent in my 55 years so am I wasting my time and setting myself up for lots of frustration?
Is it an easy instrument to learn?
Just do it!
I did the same, I had played the Oboe a bit when a kid (cue: Fnaar) and the fingerings are similar (Chortle) so that helped. It also helps that I cane read music.
BUT
It's not a difficult instrument to play.
To make a sound is straight forward and if you can play a recorder or Tin whistle then playing a simple tune is straightforward.
You may need a different mouthpiece as an adult rather than a kid's and as you progress get harder reeds, but other than that, get your daughter to teach you the basics and have a go.
It'es hugely therapeutic, requires practice and concentration, but I reckon it's worth it. I was lucky to find a good teacher who knows I'm not interested in grades, just playing good tunes for fun, so that's what we do, and we have fun during the lesson. It's ace playing and being accompanied on the Piano. last lesson we did Mozart as a duet and it was amazing.
Beauty of the Sax is that there is a wide range of music you can play, Miles Davis, Handel, Mozart, Show-tunes, Soul Classics, Rock, trad. folk. It's very versatile.
Mrs FF suddenly took-up choral singing having never ever sung in her life or even enjoyed classical music... she's hooked!
PM me if you have specific questions and I'll help where I can!
. If you've played reed instruments before you'll probably find it easier or reading music but plenty of people get on fine just seeing the music - someone I know who learned the clarinet and saxaphone was thus.
