Changing from clarinet to sax?!
Question: is the change difficult? I've managed to get a pretty good sound on my clarinet over the last 2 years, I use a 3 or 3 1/2 reed.
I wanted to try either alto or tenor sax now.
my questions are
a)is it a difficult transition?
b) what would you suggest, alto or tenor? (I personally prefer tenor but if it's more difficult maybe I should start with alto and then switch)
c) will my experience in clarinet help or will I have to start from scratch as if i had never played anything?
Answers: is the change difficult? I've managed to get a pretty good sound on my clarinet over the last 2 years, I use a 3 or 3 1/2 reed.
I wanted to try either alto or tenor sax now.
my questions are
a)is it a difficult transition?
b) what would you suggest, alto or tenor? (I personally prefer tenor but if it's more difficult maybe I should start with alto and then switch)
c) will my experience in clarinet help or will I have to start from scratch as if i had never played anything?
a-no, the transition is not difficult. A lot of school programs I've seen actually make anyone who wants to play saxophone start on clarinet, and then change to saxophone a couple years later. They all have no problem, other than adjusting embouchure as they are similar, but different. No matter what, they were all much better when they got a teacher for saxophone to teach them the differences of the two and the proper playing techniques.
b-Neither alto or tenor are actually harder than the other in any way other than more air support for the tenor. It is a bigger instrument, so it naturally takes more air, and coming from clarinet, it's a big difference, but nothing that you can't get through within a few weeks. Again, a teacher will help you through this and any frustration. It would be "easier" for going to alto first, but not a big deal in any way.
c-Your experience on clarinet will help. You already know how to read music, you already know the basic embouchure for a woodwind instrument, and you already are used to playing in an ensemble. Of course it will help
Its not that difficult. I had a friend who played both.
1st) its not a difficult transition
2nd) alto, then switch to tenor
3rd) yeah, ur experience with a clarinet will help since now u kno how a reed works
I think that you'll have no trouble at all with either alto or tenor sax if you have the clarinet experience.
It's the reed that usually gives people trouble, imo, and you are used to that.
Good luck! My daughter plays alto sax and she loves it!