jjmack Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 A very very very long time ago I used to play the clarinet. My daughter is now using my clarinet and learning to play. Last night I went to her school performance, there were so many talented musicians that it has inspired me. I have always had the urge to learn the sax, I can still play the clarinet by ear (I have convinced myself that I am too long in the teeth to learn to read music again) but can that be transferred to learning a new instrument? Is it easy to move from the calrinet to the sax? There was one lad last night who played the clarinet, sax, guitar and piano , I know that some people just have natural talent, but I suppose its worth a go?!! Any tips gratefully received. I assume that its the alto sax that most people play. I also thought it would be good as I could play with DD, she is really enjoying it and happy to practice at the moment (that was my downfall at 16 ...... too much else distracting me ) so anything to keep her interested! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 If you played the clarinet you will find it quite easy to pick up the saxophone. It is quite a common thing to do, move from clarinet to sax. I play sax and have also started the clarinet and find the clarinet much harder - covering the holes completely particularly. DD plays clarinet and piano and has just picked up my second sax and is already after less than a dozen lessons, playing it really well. So I'd say go for it but have lessons, don't try teaching yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I agree with all Chucky Mama has said! If you play a wind instrument it's easy to move to another. Flute to Sax is another good move as the fingering is very similar, but you don't have experience of playing a reed instrument but if you've played a clarinet it should be a doddle for you! Good luck with it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 YS is just about to start with the sax, apparently the fingering is the same as a recorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I went from clarinet to tenor sax many years ago - because I just love the tenor sound. I think they start children on the alto because it's a convenient size and doesn't take too much puff! Tenor needs a fair bit of puff to move the air, but you soon get used to it. I actually find the clarinet much harder to blow now. Sax fingering is very similar to clarinet upper register fingering (or is it lower?) - ie to play a B, it's your left forefinger, A is 2 left fingers, G is three left fingers ... and D is 3 left and 3 right. Then you've got all the little finger side keys below that. Your right thumb is under the support and your left thumb is on the top support. To go up an octave, you use the same fingering but your left thumb presses the octave key. You also keep your mouth softer when playing - the embrouchure is slightly different from the clarinet, but not much - lower lip is softer and not as turned in over the teeth. Low notes are hard to get at first - you need to relax as it's all in the mouth. It's great fun though and such a good noise!! Enjoy it! (I agree about the lessons though - have lessons to get you started on the right path, which will make it easier in the long run.) Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 JM has pretty much said it all It's pretty easy to move from clarinet to sax, but not so much the other way (as Chucky Mama has found). The fingering is the same as clarinet upper register - instead of a register key at the back you have an octave key so the fingering is the same for both registers, just at an octave interval which makes it much easier! The embouchure is much looser, and especially so when playing the lower notes. You'll find that very odd when you switch back to the clarinet. And it doesn't matter if you want to have a go at alto or tenor sax, the fingering is the same, but they are tuned differently - soprano and tenor saxes are Bb like the clarinet and alto and baritone are in Eb. Have a go - you'll enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&P Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 If you want to do it, you can!! Go for it, and good luck! Pauline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 If your daughter has a clarinet you could get a tenor sax which is in the same key and you can then play together without transposing the music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I can't play any instrument, but you are never 'too long in the tooth' to learn to read music! I passed Grade V Theory last year, aged nearly 50. (I was the oldest person in the examination hall apart from the invigilator though ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
