With You Every Step: Noah T.
Date Posted: December 02, 2021
Why did you choose your instrument?
I had to choose an instrument in third grade for music class. I played the piano at the time, and the violin when I was younger. This time I wanted to choose a woodwind instrument. I saw and heard all the instruments and decided to pick the alto sax because of how it sounded compared to all the other band instruments.
What did it feel like to play your instrument for the first time?
When I first took the sax out of its case I remember thinking that it was a complex instrument, with so many mechanisms to produce different notes. It was hard for me in the beginning to play because I had to blow air out through the reed in a certain way. I couldn’t blow too hard, because then there would be a squeak sound. But when I did hit the right note, it was satisfying, and I wanted to play more.
Who have been your musical inspirations?
One of my musical inspirations is Bruno Mars. His music has a good beat and I think he’s a really good singer and songwriter.
How often do you practice, and do you have any goals you’re shooting for?
I practice around 40 minutes a day, but this varies of course from time to time. I’m working to reach my current goal of getting into the best jazz band at my school. I also just really want to get better so I can master what I know and move on to more advanced techniques.
What have been some of your greatest challenges so far with the saxophone?
Sometimes learning new techniques like vibrato is really difficult for me. I have to use my mouth, tongue, and air flow to get it just right. I feel that this is what makes vibrato difficult to master.
Beyond that, when I’m trying to get to the next level in playing music - with more advanced songs, rhythms, and difficult notes - it takes longer to learn. It’s tough, but when I finally master that song, it’s worth the effort.
What is the coolest thing you’ve done with music so far, and what do you hope to do with music when you’re older?
I loved it when I played in an end of the year band concert at school where all the bands, high school and middle school, all join together to play at one giant concert. It was fun playing with so many different people in front of a large audience.
As I get older, I want to get into the high school jazz band and participate in competitions. Beyond that I will just see where my musical journey takes me.
