What is a saxophone? How long does it take to master it?

The Saxophone is one of the most popular instruments in the music world and is known extensively for its versatility with different genres and for the powerful tune it emanates which literally has the capacity to transcend our souls.

The saxophone was invented in the 1840s by Adolf Sax, a musical instrument designer from Belgium. His idea was to create an instrument that combined the best qualities of a woodwind instrument with that of a brass instrument, and in the 1840s he conceived the saxophone.

Here's a little introduction to the instrument and its working so we are familiar with the basics before we move on to find out more about it.

The saxophone belongs to the family of wind instruments (where sound is produced by blowing into the instrument. It is shaped like a tube and has 24 openings which are controlled by padded keys.

The mouthpiece is similar to a clarinet. Getting a hang of the fingerings is fairly easy as the sound gets deeper as more holes are covered in order from top to bottom.

Different Types Of Saxophones

There are four major types of saxophones and they are: Alto, Tenor, Soprano and Baritone. Each one of these has a unique style and sound. For beginners, we would recommend the Alto and Tenor saxophones to get a good understanding of the instrument before you advance to the other types.

One of the first steps to do before you learn how to play the saxophone or any instrument for that matter, is to learn how to read the music score.

This is the very basic step while learning the instrument and while it may seem a little tricky at the beginning, we are sure you will be able to master it with a little practice.

Once this is accomplished, move on to match the notes on the score with the fingering and sounds you need to produce on the saxophone. Getting a control of your breathing while playing is a crucial step for all wind instruments.

When you feel a little confused over how your piece sounds, either consult your instructor for an extra piece or you can always refer to the Internet to watch the professionals play the same piece. This is a great way to know how you should be playing and get a little inspiration too!

If you listen to a recording of a wind ensemble for example, envision yourself playing the saxophone pitches and melodies. This will help you better understand how to use your breath and the ways in which it is connected to the melody.

Benefits of learning Saxophone

Here are some of the benefits of playing the saxophone. Firstly, the instrument is highly flexible. The Sax has a very distinct sound that is flexible for many genres including classical, jazz, soul, blues, contemporary, pop, rock, and marching bands.

Playing an instrument takes a lot of brain power, muscle memory and neurological control. So with continuous practice, you’ll be able to improve upon these aspects. There have also been numerous studies that prove people who play instruments have better memories and can better control their cognitive and motor functions better than those who do not play instruments.

The Best Age To Start Saxophone Lessons

The best age to start saxophone lessons varies, mostly determined by the size of the student and which type of the saxophone they are interested in. Usually, it is recommended that students take up classes by the time they are at least seven or eight.

Slightly older individuals may also learn to play the saxophone with the same ease for the main requirement they need is to be able to hold up the instrument. Students usually require a period of 2 to 4 years to be able to master the instrument but with regular practice, you should see a good improvement within a year of training.

Online Saxophone Classes At Art Gharana

We are very pleased to inform you that we have recently introduced Saxophone classes at Art Gharana and we can’t wait for you to begin your musical journey with us. We go to great lengths to ensure that our students are able to make the best out of their journey with us and gain a wide exposure to the music world.

Our gurus at Art Gharana are highly trained in their specific fields of expertise and also have years of experience in teaching. They are dedicated towards their goal of imparting a quality learning experience for all students.

One of the best parts of Art Gharana is that you can literally be anywhere in the world but still be able to access our classes for they are all on an online platform. Book your demo session with us today to know more about the course as it might give you a good understanding of the instrument before you commit yourself to the regular classes.

Always remember, there is never a right or wrong age to start learning music. As long as you have got the fire and interest in you to learn something new, you are the right place with us at Art Gharana.

We look forward to having you as a part of our family.

Happy learning!