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Forum » High School Saxophone » Switching


by c-panthers
(16 posts)
18 years ago

Switching

Should a student who played flute for 2 1/2 years start on an intermediate soprano sax?

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  2. by Scrythe
    (22 posts)
    18 years ago

    Re: Switching

    There's nothing stopping you from doing what you want, but i would recommend against it. The soprano takes a very disciplined saxophone player. I would suggest starting on alto and building up a good embochoure first befor eyou attempt soprano.

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    1. by yotengotenor
      (29 posts)
      18 years ago

      Re: Switching

      I would tend to agree with that, however if you know you are musically talented, are willing to put in some hard work, and you're absolutely sure you want to make the switch, I'd say go for it. Still, if you have the time and resources, start with alto and work up.

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  3. by c-panthers
    (16 posts)
    18 years ago

    Re: Switching

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    1. by jaja999
      (15 posts)
      18 years ago

      Re: Switching

      Definately not a student model, just the fact that its offered in silver plating probably means its a pro sax. I would highly suggest switching to alto rather than soprano for the same reasons listed by others. I happen to know two very good flutists who both play alto sax as well.

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      1. by saxjunkie89
        (393 posts)
        18 years ago

        Re: Switching

        not neccesarily, as some of the crappy Cecelios are made in silver plate...

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    2. by Sax Mom
      (964 posts)
      18 years ago

      Re: Switching

      I've heard decent reports on Antigua Winds, though I've not had experience with them. One warning. Even a soprano saxophone is much heavier than a flute, and overtones on the saxophone are much more difficult, especially on a soprano!

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      1. by c-panthers
        (16 posts)
        18 years ago

        Re: Switching

        But is it a student soprano sax?

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      2. by c-panthers
        (16 posts)
        18 years ago

        Re: Switching

        What is the diference between an intermediate soprano sax and a student soparno sax?

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        1. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          i believe keywork makes the difference. Kind of like on a flute. On student models, the G is usually offset to help the student reach it more easily, but on more advanced models it's "in-line" for the more advanced player. When it comes to the difference in saxes, its generally the same issue, keywork. There's a few extra keys (high F# and G) most of the time on more advanced models. There's also differences in the keys themselves. For example, the spatula keys on the sax (roughly where the G# key would be on a flute) are either just normal keys that just go down like the rest of them, or tilted (they have a weird mechanism that tilts them instead of pushes them). That was started with the Mark VI's i believe... But yeah... the keywork makes the difference of grade most of the time with saxophones.

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        2. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Would the keywork make it harder to play it?

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        3. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          no, not harder to play, just a different feel. The more advanced of an instrument, the keywork will feel smoother, i.e., a beginner instrument will just have a comfortable hand position set up, but not have the fluidity of a professional one. But the professional will have both features.

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        4. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          What are the names of the types of soprano saxophones?

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        5. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          well, if you're looking for student models, and/or on a tight budget, good ones would be Barrington and BandNow (unless others on this board have different opinions). Both are offered from WWBW.

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        6. by Christian Anderson
          (73 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          If you can find one, a used yani will be your best deal, they all play well, and hole thier value better than an antigua, which despite their "intermediate-prefessional" claims play like student models.

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        7. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Is Victory a goo brand for a soprano sax?

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        8. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          I mean good not goo.

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        9. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

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        10. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          I would not take a chance with an unknown brand like that. I took my chance on the E. M. Winston only after reading a good review, and only since I could try it out for a "really" good price. I like the E. M. Winston, and there is one available on ebay, starting bid of only $1.00. Item number 140090206775

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        11. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          oh, i just remembered what a good brand is! R.S. Berkeley Artist Series. I have their bari, but i also played the soprano. USA Horn sells them. www.usahorn.com

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        12. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Are they student models?

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        13. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          they're actually intermediate, so the keywork feels much better and easier than a student model, they also blow easy

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        14. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          How do you know they're intermediate?And do you know if an intermediate soprano saxophone would be any harder to play than a student model?

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        15. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          actually, i'm not sure, but it has the specs of a step-up or intermediate instrument. The only difference might be that it'll be harder to blow through

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        16. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Would this be a pretty good deal?:

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        17. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Your link didn't work for me. How much do they want?

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        18. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          $400 It's a new E.M. Winston Soprano Sax Comes with: case, 2 differnent necks(curved and straight)

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        19. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          In my opinion, it's worth it. Regular list price is quite a bit higher.

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        20. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

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        21. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          Nope, I don't believe I'd even nibble on that one. They don't reveal the brand so it may not have a brand, or it may be a brand with a poor reputation. Either way, I wouldn't risk it. Plus, they're charging almost $100 for shipping. Believe me, it doesn't cost that much to ship a soprano saxophone. You previously asked about the EM Winston. I have one (a soprano), and I can tell you it is a good saxophone. If I had a no name, I could tell you it's good or bad, and that wouldn't help you a bit, because it may be a different no no name than the one at which you're looking.

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        22. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          What type of reeds would be the best for a student to play in tune on the E.M. Winston Soprano Sax?

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        23. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          The reed itself has little to do with playing in tune--your embouchure and support will be key. Soprano saxes are notorious for being difficult to play in tune, and they take more practice than any of the other saxophones to play well. Continue to practice, and you will learn how to keep the instrument in tune.

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        24. by c-panthers
          (16 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          I decided to get a Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone. When I play the low notes like F,E,D,etc...., they don't come out.I use Ricco Reeds 2 1/2. Any tips/help?

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        25. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Switching

          You could be biting down too hard. Maybe a softer reed will help as you start as well. However, it could be the horn. If there are any leaks in the center of the body, those notes will be more difficult. Either have someone else who plays saxophone try the horn, or have a technician check it out.

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