Saxophone advice wanted please

[permanentlyfrazzled1]

I’m wanting to start playing the sax but no idea where to start with choosing one. Do I rent or buy? Alto sax or would a different sax be better? What make and model can anyone recommend? I’m not a complete musical novice, having gained grade 5 on piano, flute and theory as a child, but have only started playing flute again this year after a break of around 25 years. No money for private lessons so I’ll be teaching myself.

The tenor sax has the same fingering as the flute, so would probably be the best one for you to teach yourself.

Yamaha Alto will do the job nicely (plus a selection of reeds, as you will want to change the thickness as you progress)

I started with a tenor but my neck couldn't take the weight, so now it's an alto.

My first two (tenor then alto) were rented, then I bought an alto. Sold it a few years later. Been getting back into playing for the last few years when my family bought an alto for my birthday. Amazingly kind of them! However I couldn't get a note out of it, so next birthday I bought a Yamaha alto, which wasn't cheap but will see me right for many years to come.

YouTube will be your friend to help with sounds. You can also get instruction books with CDs to listen to for sound and pitch.

Enjoy!

@permanentlyfrazzled I did that! Got piano grade 6 years ago but taught myself to play sax about 8 years ago: being able to read music made it easier but I found the breathing stuff hard - I had a ‘standard’ sax gold colours which I initially rented for three months then purchased.

I loved it and soon progressed, especially when I had some lessons and started more advanced jazz stuff. Never quite got the band or playing by ear though so struggled with the ‘Make it up from the chords’ style of playing 😊😊

Wish I had time to play more now- I need to carve out half an hour a day to practise but haven’t for ages

Alto... Yamaha is good but there are plenty of others (don't get a cheap Gear 4 music one tho) Alto is easier on the neck.. I hired a Tenor as fancied playing one but went back to my alto as the tenor was just a bit too big.
I had a year of lessons to get some basic technique. It's great fun but you do need understanding neighbours

The advantage of a Yamaha is that they tend to hold their resale value very well, as most people would be prepared to buy one second hand. But I completely agree, nothing from G4M.

Also, look at getting a strap/harness that spreads the weight across the shoulders/body rather than the neck. (Didn't think of that before) and a stand, so you can put it down without having to pack it away all the time - it's a bit more effort to get it out of its case than the average flute, which means you're more likely to practise frequently/will be able to put it down for a phone call, etc.

However, now I'm on a roll, a lot of people, including our professional sax and flute teacher, rave about the plastic ones. Says the sound is brilliant, they're tough, light and cheap.

Thanks all 😀 Lots of useful info!
Is there a minimum to spend to get a decent instrument? There are lots second-hand on eBay for around £200, and tbh, even that would be a stretch (4 kids, 1 salary) - one I’m looking at is a Windsor and says only used once, great for a beginner up to grade 5 - should I steer clear? Two of my kids fancy trying the sax as well so I’m not too worried about re-sale value.
Noise isn’t a problem because we have a little music room on the far side from the adjoining neighbours, plus they work during the day which is when we’re all being noisy 😀 No other neighbours to annoy as we’re middle of nowhere.
I’ve read about a strap so that’s definitely going on the shopping list, and good idea about a stand too.
I’ve found a few hire companies where you get the option to buy after 12 months hire, and the rental you’ve paid comes off the sale price, so this may be the way to go initially. I’m slightly worried I won’t get a noise out of one, partly because I’m struggling to make the flute sound nice like it used to, but also because I’m wearing a brace for a year so my embouchure isn’t quite what it should be. That’s what I’m currently blaming all my dud notes on, anyway!

I’ve joined a local orchestra so lots of talented people there to put me right and point me in the right direction. I was just tempted by the sax on eBay and didn’t want to risk losing it if it’s a possible option, by waiting till next orchestra session to ask there.

My sax cost about £250 new. It too was sold as suitable for up to grade 5. The lovely people in the shop gave some great advice on suitable reeds - some are better than others I just wish I could remember the name of the ones I used so I could recommend them! I started at the lightest (1.5) but by the time I'd moved up to 2.5 the sound suddenly became more 'sax-like' and less squeaky!

Try a couple of synthetic reeds too. I know some hate them with a passion but I found a couple I liked and they are so much more durable (and hygenic!)

Might be worth noting that Saxophones need servicing regularly to keep all those delicate parts working, and the seals etc need replacing, that's an additional cost of around £120 a year. Well that's the cheapest guy around here.
Also he sells on one's he's repaired and restored for very good prices. Maybe Google a repairer near you ? See if they have or know of anyone selling one on.

If you are anywhere near Oxford than Allegro is the place to go.

Roger is an expert..player, seller, restorer and sells good second hand ones. www.saxophoneheaven.com/

Thanks all. I didn’t realise I’d had more answers - much appreciated! I think I’m going to wait till I’ve had my brace removed so that I have a better chance of success, and then hire a sax for a few months.