So, DS has decided he wants to learn the saxophone...

[TortoiseUpATreeAgain]

This I know from nothing. At least, I know what a saxophone looks like and what it sounds like, but is it a good first instrument? How much would we be looking at having to spend on a basic but reasonably functional one (new or second-hand)? Do they come in different sizes?

He's nearly ten and has previously flirted briefly with the violin, but that was largely because his school at the time only offered piano or violin and there was a long waiting list for piano (also we have no room for a piano; could probably squeeze in a saxophone...).

He's fine to learn the sax at nearly 10. In your position I'd hire first. Our local woodwind shop allows you to hire before deciding to buy. If you have somewhere similar then they might have teacher recommendations. Otherwise, if you have some kind of county music service left (and as far as I know, all areas of England have one of some description) they would be a really good place to look for a teacher too.

And yes - they come in 5 different sizes from a similar size to a clarinet to one which comes in a case resembling a coffin. In my opinion, look to start him on an alto. If he wants to change to a larger (or smaller) one later, then the fingering and mouthpiece work the same so it's easy to swap between them.

A really good instrument to start in Year 5, particularly if he has some basic recorder playing.

If he puts the effort in, by the time he goes to secondary he will be capable of playing in music ensembles - the big band/jazz band groups are always really good places to make friends. Go for it!

Hello OP

Yes, go for it. My dd plays alto and is 10, she started at 9 and she loves it.
Her Dad is a pro and her teacher so there's always lots of noise in our house
Its a lovely instrument and if you youtube you will be able to find all sorts of weird and wonderful works to inspire your ds.
There are actually 7 saxophones iirc but some aren't as popular as others and/or used for specific things.
Good luck and enjoy

Thank you all -- right, may give it a go from next term then, which gives me a couple of months to sort out the practicalities.

Tortoise

If there is anything you need to know or ask, feel free to pm me.
I don't teach myself but have picked up so much just being involved with dh/ his students and dd.

Hi. Your Ds has a remarkably similar history to my Ds who also started on the violin under similar circumstances. He wanted to learn the saxophone when he moved schools at age 8, despite the pleas of the music teacher who was desperate to have more violins for his school group.

On the advice of the saxophone teacher we did a hire for three months then buy scheme too where the hire charges paid are subtracted from the purchase price. It was with a Yamaha alto saxophone, which was supplied to us new.

It proved a good choice as Ds has continued right through past Grade 8 and has recently begun a Music degree at University. We did upgrade at enormous cost last year (and perhaps should have a couple of years sooner) but the Yamaha gave a very good sound.

Good luck.

DD started playing saxophone in May and LOVES it.
this was after abandoning the piano just before grade1 exam.
she finds it much easier than the piano (no co-ordination) and it's much more fun. she already plays in the orchestra. it's bloody heavy to carry in and out to school though. She has an alto sax. must look into a lighter case!