TOP 10 MYTHS about Learning SAXOPHONE

My saxophone teacher has taught me from the beginning that every time you practice, no matter how brief, you come away better than had you not practiced at all. I have found that to be true again and again.

Bearded Jay: Jazz Saxophonist. Clean shaven Jay: school district approved private lesson teacher

A great point! 30 minutes of practice even if to take a break from the rest of the world is very worthwhile and a good thing to do for your wellbeing.

6:56 - I was told once by a music teacher to only play as fast as you are able to play well. There is no sense playing fast if it doesn't sound good. Start slow and work up to playing faster as you improve, like you said.

I invest the first 10 minutes of my practice time on Longtone, Overtone and Altissimo. I always start my practice session with these exercises. It has helped me to improve my tone. I'm still learning, but I'm getting better. As Jay said, they are not myths. I understood the importance through one of Jay's old videos. I have also heard some notable Saxophonists on YouTube condemn Longtones/Overtones, but I believe Jay more because I practice what he says, and it works for me. Thanks, Jay.

There's a lot of truth here and most applies to more instruments than just saxophone.

I only have one thing to say about this. As always, you’re right on the money, Jay. About the hours that takes to “master” the sax, I always tell everybody that it is better to play 30 minutes every day than 3-4 hours every week. That’s very basic for me. Also, a myth that apply only to women is that you need “strength” to play the saxophone. I was approached by a girl that told me she was “shy” to learn the saxophone because she thought there weren’t any good female sax players. I told her about Candy Dulfer, Mindi Abair, Jessy J, Betty Smith, etc and she was blown away (pun not intended). It is incredible how our sexist society excludes women in so many aspects, even to the point where there’s instruments for women and for men 🙄 I hope every day more women approach to the saxophone and learn how good they can be at it. Nowadays I show videos of Grace Kelly (the sax player, not the actress 😂) playing the bari and all doubts are solved.

Another myth I reckon is that we must all change to harder and harder reeds as we progress.

On January 3rd of this year, I started to learn how to play soprano sax at age 61. I heard all these stories about how difficult it was going to be. It's been challenging for sure but, it's also been a blast. I'm really having fun with it. Thinking back, I think that learning to do Judo was more difficult. I'm now a 3rd degree black belt and I'm still learning. Regarding playing fast, I have had many Judo students want to attempt a new technique fast. They usually mess it up. I tell them to focus on learning the technique not the speed. As their body adapts to the technique and they develop muscle memory, their body will kind of speed it up on its own. In most cases, they will perform the technique fast, with skill, and almost not be aware of how quickly they've done it or how easy it was. I think this same principle can apply to learning to play the saxophone.

Enjoyed this, Jay! I like the clean shaven look, I’ll send a pocket square to help complete your makeover.

No beard! I wasn’t ready for this.

Almost 30 years ago a friend of mine was dating a 17 year old sax player - she played the most simple impro solos I ever heard - I wasn’t impressed. Last time I saw her I was watching BBC Glastonbury Festival - there she was playing backing sax really well to a crowd of 150K plus a few million BBC viewers. Guess those simple lines starting developing- every note counted, no bull### !

Hey Jay, nope doesn't matter what age you start this wonderful instrument, I've been playing for the past 2 years and Im 64 and I just do it for me because I love it

Me: seeing myth 8 and getting excited Also me: My excitement is crushed as it is revealed it's not a myth

Learning to play melodies by ear in your Pentatonic Foundations and Blues Foundations courses I saw Myth number 8 really come true for me. I found working on each of those tunes a little bit, then move on to something else for a week or two, then coming back to them I was able to get them under my fingers very quickly (coming back the second time).

Listening... Applying... Growing.

Great vid again, Jay. Thanks. Had my best practice session for ages earlier on my new tenor. I honestly think it's put me in a better mood this evening!

I’m so happy to hear you echoing my own thoughts on teaching the saxophone. I tell my students many of the same things!

I was buy a Sax (Alto) in amazon after see your video, all this information in your chanel is like a pure gold for me, greetings from México City

Therapist: "Shaved Jay doesn't exist. He can't hurt you." Shaved Jay: