Learn to play the saxophone when you are a senior?

[Toril S]

Hello friends Hope moderators forgive me, there is no right place to put this, and it is a question about a none  keyboard instrument, but I intend to use it with my keyboard.
My question is this: I am 63 years old, and have all my life played key istruments, mainly the accordion and different kinds of Yamaha keyboards (PSR/Tyros/Genos). As for wind instruments, we had to learn how to play the recorder at school, and I have a couple of Melodicas. And a harmonica, that's it! I love the sound of the saxophone, and am thinking of trying to learn how to play it. So I seek the advice of you good friends: I would like you to answer me a Go Ahead or a Stay Away! and add why you say it. I am not offended by any answer, but will consider all.
What you must know:
I know about Enbouchure.
I can get lessons, and I have the option of renting an instrument.
I live in an apartment complex (!)
I like challenges, and play by ear.
I have low vision, but there are no screens on a saxophone, I never look at the keys when I play my accordion either!

It would have been so fun to make backing tracks on my keyboard and play the sax! BUT, I know there are some big BUTS here. Please comment and help me out, my good friends

[DrakeM]

Hello Toril

Last week I came across this new instrument you might want to learn.
It sounds like a Saxophone but plays like a recorder (with a reed) and fits in your pocket.

Here is the inventor of the Xaphoon with a short demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcVjd3iUOs

Here is a duo playing "Summertime"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEgCqPE0hiY

Here is link to purchase the Xaphoon
https://xaphoon.com/collections/all

I was thinking about getting my grandson one. At his school they are teaching the children to play a recorder.

Drake

[Toril S]

A cool instrument!😀👍🏼

[tbaroghel]

Hello Toril,

I like your post ! I am a little bit older than you are and somehow I went the other way around: Forgetting the 3 years of piano lessons I had back when I was 7, I learnt saxophone when I was 12 and with it I had many great experiences in classical, Jazz and Rock orchestras of various size during my "career" (obviously NOT my job, but rather an irregular hobby). All my students/young man years were greatly supported by my acoustic guitar playing and singing - unless you're an athlete, there is no such thing as playing/singing a Beatles song or a Simon/Garfunkel one to impress girls and get new friends. Only recently did I get (back) to keyboards with an SX900. In that sense, I wanted to give my opinion to your request.

Now to your question: Playing saxophone is a nice idea, as there is a real physical link to the instrument and its 'voice', more than with say a wooden guitar; both your 10 fingers and mouth/lips are involved in crafting the sound. Yes there are things to learn about reeds and mouthpieces, there is the hard fact that it is monophonic (!) when other instruments you mentioned are not, but to me, if you feel like give it some time, DO IT! As you said, this is a traditional, analogic, no-screen instrument and, with your proficienvy in keyboards, you'll be able to create all sorts of backtracks in no time and comfortably improve your play and fun.

Soundwise, I would suggest keeping away from a soprano at first, as getting a decent sound is more difficult (you have neighbours I understand), and maybe go towards an alto (best easyness/weight ratio).

All the best in this adventure !

Thierry

[Toril S]

Thank you so much Thierry❤️

[Divemaster]

Hi Toril

Did you maybe consider the Yamaha YDS 120 Digital Saxaphone?
There are several very good videos.

All the fingering identical to a 'real' sax, and it has the advantage of being able to be played at low volume or with headphones. Easy to carry too.

With your amazing musical background I know you'll make a success of it!
Age has nothing to do with it. It's attitude, and the willingness to learn something new..

Good luck whatever you choose to do!


Keith.

[tbaroghel]

Regarding 'current' digital saxophones, I am not that sure:

I actually own a Yamaha WX7 midi wind controller (I bought it new in 1986 ...) coupled to a VLm-70 midi tone generator with PATCHMAN expansion.

• Despite its age, to me, this combination is still the best 'conversion' of a saxophone experience to digital (with seamless switching to and from a 'real' sax). WX7 not only has the sax fingering, but a real active reed, with a lip pressure sensor for modulation/attack/tonguing and a breath sensor for volume, etc. IMHO this is much better than the latest Yamaha productions, which, while bringing wireless capabilities the WX7 does not have, lack these pivotal features.
  
• Regarding sound, the VLm70 "physical modeling" is extraordinarily realistic: you do not choose an 'alto sax' or 'harmonica' sound, you select a voice called 'Sanborn', 'Stan Getz', 'Toots' or 'Stevie' ... and that's exactly how you sound !
  

Of course this gear is nowhere to be found new ... but there are gems on aftermarket if you are lucky.

Needless to say, this is just my personal opinion and I will gladly be corrected if I am wrong or someone disagrees. Music is for playing together, not for arguing 

T

[Toril S]

Thanks Keith and T!