Part 2: Progress!

This is getting easier for me! When I started I wasn’t sure how I would progress, but I am happy to share that I am excited with my results!

Treble Clef 

One of my concerns in the beginning was that I would 

struggle with learning new notes and reading them in 

the new treble clef. Remember, before starting the         saxophone I had only read in bass clef, which is entirely different placement of notes. However, I am psyched at how easily I am picking up the brand new treble clef. The last time I updated you all I only knew 3 notes ,which conveniently were enough to play "Hot Cross Buns" (See right)

Notes

Now after just more than a week of practice I already know 8 notes! They are A, B, G, D, C, F#, F, E. The reading/identifying of them need a little bit of improvement. It is not natural for me yet to see a note and know exactly what it is, and which combination of keys to press. This was as I expected. Overall though, I am excited with my progress in this area. 

Here is a chart of most of the notes I know how to play. The 6 circles represent the 6 main keys on the saxophone. When the circle is filled in, that means the player must press down the keys. 

Stamina 

Last week I talked about the pain and lack of strength in my mouth. I experienced this pain because although I use mouth muscles for playing the trombone, the required muscles for saxophone are different. While playing the sax you have to use the bottom lip, as well as the corners to control your sound. Before, these areas would become sore and unusable after around only 10 minutes of playing! Now after practice and drilling, these muscles do not hurt very much at all.

Speaking of practice routine, let’s talk about that!

Routine

Whenever I sit down to play, I always go through the notes I previously learned in order to reinforce them in my mind. I then go back and repeat exercises/short songs that I learned before. Next,  I proceed through my lesson book. Sometimes I get to a difficult song like jingle bells, (yeah I know it doesn’t sound hard, but it’s hard for a beginner. So back off). My strategy is to first take it slow, and assess the notes that are in the song. Then, I take short parts of the song and practice them until they are perfect.

Playing

 Logically, I next add the small parts together to form a whole, and speed the tempo up. This strategy is the most efficient and effective way for learning songs on the saxophone for me. In the beginning of each practice, I work on my articulation of notes. First I start on the mouthpiece, then move to the whole instrument. 

One of my goals was to be able to play short songs. I have reached it earlier than expected. Although it is hard to define a “short song” I believed I have fulfilled the most basic sense of this goal. I have played a bunch of short songs, learning them with the method I described before. Here I am playing                                          "Old McDonald Had a Farm"                                            

I enjoy playing these songs, because it is nice to play familiar tunes. It keeps me interested in playing, and progressing through the book. I also get curious about what songs lie ahead in the book, which makes me want to keep flipping the pages. Along the way I learn new rhythms, notes, and finger positions. 

Here is me playing "Good King Wenceslas" (as much as I can)

Overall, I am very happy with my progress. Since last time, I have achieved my goals I  outlined at the end of my last post. I have improved in every area I hoped to get better in, and If my growth continues at this rate. I will be in great shape by the next time I update you all.