5 Pieces of Advice for Adult Saxophone Students

When performing in public, I am often approached by appreciative audience members who themselves once played saxophone. They usually thank me for my performance, and say something along the lines of, "I used to play, and wish I had never given it up." A slight variation on this is, "I always wanted to learn to play the saxophone, but never had the time or opportunity."

Many of these fine people played in their high school band, maybe even played in pep band or marching band in college, but having chosen a different career path, spent their twenties and thirties building a career, raising a family, etc. You know, having a normal life. But now that they have some financial security, they feel a pull to return to the instrument they loved in their youth.

Over the years, I've had dozens of adult saxophone students, and they are remarkable people to work with. Whereas many of my younger pupils are being pushed by their parents, adult students are self-motivated, and often have very specific goals.

For adults who are interested in either returning to an instrument after a long hiatus or beginning study of an instrument, let me offer these pieces of advice.

1. FIND A GOOD TEACHER - AND LISTEN TO THEM.

A good teacher is an invaluable resource. They will help you build good habits from the start. Make sure you find someone you click with personally, but who is also honest with you. Treat them like the professional they are, and listen to their advice. Make sure you study with someone whose principal instrument is the saxophone. A good way to find a teacher is to contact the professor of saxophone at your nearest college or university. Many college professors teach privately on the side. If not, they will know the most effective teachers in the community.

2. SET REALISTIC GOALS

When you begin the study of an instrument, realize that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Studying a wind instrument may require several years of dedicated practice to reach a particular goal. Set short term goals (monthly) and long term goals (yearly). Work with your teacher to determine realistic short term goals, and a motivational long term goal. It can be very positive to frame your progress from this perspective. Update your goals as you progress. Here are some examples of short and long term goals.

Short Term Goals

• Learn a new major scale every week
• Cover one page in your method book per week
• Learn one new melody from the Real Book per week

Long Term Goals

• Join a community band
• Play on a student recital
• Sit in on a tune at a public jam session

3. GET GOOD EQUIPMENT (AND TAKE CARE OF IT)

A woodwind instrument is a machine, and it won't work if it is in disrepair or poorly constructed. Likewise, your sound begins at the mouthpiece and reed, and the wrong equipment can be massively frustrating. Avoid pawn shop instruments and online deals that seem too good to be true. Also, avoid high dollar custom gear, at least in the beginning. Whereas parents shopping for students usually look for the best deal, adult students often overspend on gear. The best equipment is the equipment that helps you reach your goals. I usually tell my new students to rent for the first few months. You are guaranteed a functional instrument, and it will hold you over until you find a horn that works best for you.

Also, a good mouthpiece and reed setup from the beginning is the best way to get started. I usually recommend soft reeds (Vandoren Traditional, 2.5 strength) and a classical mouthpiece (Optimum AL3 or TL3) to someone starting out. Jazz mouthpieces are more difficult to control and require a greater volume of air to get a good sound. After one has built a good embouchure and breathing practices, more individualized equipment can be explored.

4. YOU WILL HAVE MORE FUN IF YOU PRACTICE

This bit of advice goes for all students, not just adults. PRACTICE DAILY. The most important part of that sentence is the daily part. Try to schedule in daily practice at least 5 days a week. With adults' busy schedules, this can be difficult. However, my students that stick to this discipline progress faster. More importantly, they end up having more fun. Massive volumes of practice time aren't necessary, but consistency is key.

5. FIND OTHER PEOPLE TO PLAY WITH

Whether its playing in a community group, starting a band, or just playing duets with a friend, music is always more fun when you play with others. In most areas of the country, there are bands, orchestras, and jazz ensembles that are comprised mainly of dedicated amateurs. The "community" section of craigslist is a great place to find other musicians in your area. Take advantage of any opportunity you can find to make music with like-minded individuals. There is nothing quite like the camaraderie of musicians playing together purely for their own enjoyment.

I hope you have found this advice helpful. I’m always excited to take on adult students, and would look forward to hearing from anyone who might need more advice at my website, jtsax.net

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