little chickadee Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 As many of you will know I have M.E. At heart I'm a musician (took it to degree level ) but had a lot of problems with puff and my hands so all my instruments have been living under the bed. OH has started playing fiddle in a Morris side and I decided to gradually build up my tenor sax playing (a few minutes a day) I'm able to play for quite a long while now as long as I stick to bass lines and don't try to do anything complicated as my fingers object quite badly if I do. Just bought one of these http://www.quodlibet.com/SaxonUseSax.php to see if it can help me support the beast. Fingers crossed I'm really hoping to play out with the Morris side on Monday if my body will let me. Never thought I'd become involved with Morris dancing but OH is having great fun! Cross your fingers for me. I'm feeling more like "me" since I've started playing again than I have done for years and have had great fun working out funky bass lines They won't know what's hit them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 That sounds wonderful LC, I can't wait to hear it. Good luck and enjoy your 'morrising'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Wonderful. YS played the Sax till a couple of years ago. I used to love to hear him practising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Always makes me think of Baker Street.... the tune, not the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 That's excellent! I play tenor sax and they certainly do get really heavy after a while - I use a shoulder strap designed for bassoon players rather than the standard neck strap as I found the neck strap played havock with my neck after a while! The stand will make a real difference for you. And well done for building up your puff!! (they take a lot of puff if you've never played one - there's a lot of air to move through the instrument). Don't forget to try different reeds too because that can make a real difference to the 'blowability'! We have some friends who play with a morris side and we really used to enjoy going along to their 'jamming' sessions in the local pub... Keep up the good work!! It will be great fun! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 The stand just arrived and it's really really weird! Like playing sax with zero gravity. Just got to try to get it to a comfortable angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Afraid I misread this as "feeling sexy" - sorry whizzed down on to it as feel anything but at present!! Sorry know nothing about sax or the other for that matter..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Good luck with the sax. I haven't had mine out for ages...must start up again. I've got a lovely black and silver Trevor James limited edition tenor. It's gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Afraid I misread this as "feeling sexy" - sorry whizzed down on to it as feel anything but at present!! Sorry know nothing about sax or the other for that matter..... See! Dirty mind! I didn't do anything similar myself How fabulous though, and brilliant for you. I love to hear the Sax. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Good luck with the sax. I haven't had mine out for ages...must start up again. I've got a lovely black and silver Trevor James limited edition tenor. It's gorgeous. Wow that sounds lovely Janty. I've got an old American Conn. You'll have to get it out again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 No Damien - I love the sound of a sax so mellow - but eyes and brain dont work together so genuinely misread it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantambabe Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Zero gravity sax playing sounds fab! I play Alto sax, but have problems with my neck so have been wondering if there might be an alternative to the neck strap. Might have to look into this - and the bassoon players thingy too. Good luck with the morrissing - my OH dances with Adderbury Morris (near Banbury) but plays a more traditional melodeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Morris?! YAY!!! Are you doing any May Day Morris stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantambabe Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Thanks for the pm Little Chickadee. I've spent the morning researching and have bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Regular-soft-harness-Neotech-measured/dp/B0014ZNG2Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238863676&sr=8-5 I'm not very good at standing still when I play sax so wasn't sure that the sax-on would work for me. Though I might look like an fbi agent in a gun holster! - that will go down well at church when I'm playing in the worship band. Just waiting for it to arrive now.. Oh and I phoned a guy in Banbury today about arranging some lessons - thought I should make sure I'm not developing too many bad habits being self taught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Morris?! YAY!!! Are you doing any May Day Morris stuff? I'm not sure. I think the side is doing sun-up at a local village at 5.30am and then having breakfast at someone's house. I've not played with the side before though, so don't know if I'll brave the early start! My mum has offered to sort the kids out if we want to go though! Hubby is going Do you do morris stuff then? This is who I'm playing with on Monday (fingers crossed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Good luck on Monday Little Chickadee, my dad used to play the sax, as a child I could only get a squeak out of it. Enjoy your playing. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Had a great time on Wednesday. A really really nice bunch of people who thankfully liked the sax (could have been a bit awkward if they didn't think Sax/ Morris band went together - some morris sides would definately have objected!) The sax stand worked a treat. I'm so glad I bought it. It was lovely to be seen as Little Chickadee the musician rather than Little Chickadee the woman with M.E ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Debs, you'll have to let me know next time you're morrising in the Banbury area and we'll come along to support you. Thanks for the pm Little Chickadee. I've spent the morning researching and have bought one of these:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Regular-soft-harness-Neotech-measured/dp/B0014ZNG2Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238863676&sr=8-5 I'm not very good at standing still when I play sax so wasn't sure that the sax-on would work for me. Though I might look like an fbi agent in a gun holster! - that will go down well at church when I'm playing in the worship band. Just waiting for it to arrive now.. Oh and I phoned a guy in Banbury today about arranging some lessons - thought I should make sure I'm not developing too many bad habits being self taught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
