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Learning an Instrument Which Instrument Saxophone: Woodwind Family The teacher suggested that I try and blow the saxophone to see if I could get any notes out of it which I found very helpful because I realised how difficult it was and that helped me be more patient with Louise for the initial stages. Mary Brown, Louise's mother
saxophone There are different types of saxophone: soprano, alto, sopranino, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass. The body is normally made of brass and sound is produced by blowing across a reed while fingering the keys that cover the 18-21 holes along its length. The key pads will need to be replaced every couple of years, costing around £50. General repairs can be expensive. Some saxophonists start with the clarinet as it is not normally taken up as a first instrument. Costs begin at around £420 for a starter or student model. An interview with mother and daughter Mary and Louise Brown
Mary and Louise Brown It's not the easiest of instruments to play, but once you get into it you will really enjoy it. Louise Brown, age 14 Video interview Interview transcript Need video help? Top Tips
Video interview
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Other Woodwind Instruments
Recorder - eight holes, usually made of wood or plastic Clarinet - a closed cylindrical air column with a bell-shaped opening at one end, played with a single reed Flute - an open cylinder air column with keys Piccolo - similar to the flute, pitched an octave above the standard flute Oboe - soprano-range, double-reed woodwind Bassoon - double reed woodwind instrument, bass member of the woodwind family
Mary: When we started looking around secondary schools, one particular school had a list in their music room of all the instruments that they would be able to choose from. I asked Louise 'Out of that list which would you be interested in?' and out of that list she picked the saxophone.
Louise: When you first start you will find it difficult, but you have to persevere because it is not the easiest instrument to play but when you get into it you will enjoy it.
Mary: One of the different things with it is that it is quite a heavy instrument and sometimes if she has to take it into school and back she complains.
Mary: For the first lesson that Louise had I stayed with her the whole time. It was a half hour lesson, and I was very pleased that I did, because as a parent you get an idea of the teacher's approach and if they are going to be encouraging. Towards the end of the lesson he suggested that I try and blow the saxophone and get some notes out of it. I found this very helpful because I realised how difficult it was, and that helped me be more patient with Louise. At the beginning stages of learning an instrument, when you get lots of squeaks, I was not expecting her to play it perfectly because I knew how difficult it was.
Louise: Go and have a look at some instruments and if you have an idea of what you would like to play and if you are really enthusiastic about wanting to play it then that is probably a good indicator. The saxophone was the first instrument that I was really enthusiastic about playing and I really enjoy playing it now.
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WHICH INSTRUMENT Introduction Trumpet (Brass) Piano Singing Conga Drums & Percussion Cello (Strings) Clarinet (Woodwind) Saxophone (Woodwind) Guitar (Strings) Parents' Music Room Links Parent-to-Parent Careers section: Courtney Pine Interview Learning an Instrument Your Child: 7-11 Your Child: 11-14 bbc.co.uk Links Play It Again: Saxophone Find tips on learning to play the saxophone BBC Music For artist biographies and discographies Elsewhere on the web (External) Guardian buyers guide (External) Playmusic's virtual orchestra (External) Incorporated Society of Musicians (External) Music Teachers online directory (External) Music Lessons Online teacher directory The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Further Reading The Right Instrument for Your Child , Atarah Ben-Tovim, Douglas Boyd (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1995; ISBN: 0575058943)
The Rough Guide to the Saxophone (Rough Guides 2000; ISBN: 1858286492)
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