Alto Sax
I've a broad range of experience on the sax. In my youth, I performed a solo 'Send in the clowns' in Wembley Arena when the Royal Tunbridge Wells Marching Band made it to the final of the British Championships for Marching bands. We also toured the South performing in carnivals and events. I've felt the buzz of performing classics like Take Five and Pennsylvania 65000 in Swing Bands and endured the pages of rests within orchestral scores. I'm also proud to say that one of my younger pupils went on to tour Europe in her youth band.
Am I too old?
Mostly certainly not, if you have the puff come along. I’ve pupils of all ages, but the sax is a popular retirement project - one of those things you always wanted to do, but had never got around to. U3A pupils welcome. Easier than the piano with just one stave of music to read, you’ll soon be playing tunes you know and love.
Join our band
A newly formed group of adult saxophone players. This is not exclusive to my pupils, so do come and join us. Meeting monthly our informal group play alto or tenor saxes, but all welcome. Fun and the social opportunity is our focus and we enjoy a good chat at half time with a cuppa. Current tunes include Summertime, Memory, Grandfather clock, Breakout, the Entertainer, Misty and Chariots of Fire.
How young can a student start?
This will depend on your child’s height and size of hands, but around the age of 10-11 years. If they really can’t wait to start, but an alto sax is too big or heavy for them, there are options such as the Alphasax, a student saxophone for a smaller saxophonist. I’ve one a pupil can use during their first lessons to see if it’s a good fit for them.
Why Alto Sax?
Here at Eastbourne Music Tuition the alto and alpha are the only sax taught. Alto is a common sax to start on, in the key of E flat, it is lighter than some other saxophones like the tenor sax. The lower weight and more compact size is popular with beginners and players of all standards. If you have back issues you may wish to hire an alto sax to see how you get on as a lot of weight it taken through the neck strap (or body strap), with some weight taken on the right hand thumb too. The physical demands of playing the sax and all the puff are well worth the reward. There’s nothing like a good blast on the sax to clear away the stresses of the day.