Late Starter, but interested in learning Saxophone.

[Lightworks]

Hello there. New to the forums, hoping I'm not posting this in the incorrect place. If I am, apologies.

Basically, I'm 23 years old. Never learnt to play an instrument or read music. Had no interest in it in my youth, but I've always had this weird fascination with the saxophone.

Basically, I'm wondering whether it's too late for me to become good? I mean, I understand that I'd never be truly brilliant, because I imagine you would need to be playing from a young age to get truly brilliant, and I have no interest in being amazing or anything. I'd just like to be good at it, good enough to play in front of friends/family. Possible?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

[Contratrombone64]

Well, good luck with your quest. I started my musical life (long ago) playing it's cousin the clarinet. I also played tenor and alto saxophone at around that time, too. So long as you're loving it while you learn and practise diligently you shouldn't have too much trouble. Bearing in mind, if you have no aptitude for music at all, it could be a struggle.

I'm fascinated that you never learned to read music, most western school systems teach the basics, at the very least (often via the recorder). Either way, the saxophone isn't a cheap instrument to purchase (even second hand) and then give up when you get bored. Back bone is good!!

Learning the fundamentals of reading music is easy, so long as you find a good basic book on musical theory - others here who are teachers will help.

[Lightworks]

Cheers mate. Yeah I never concentrated very hard at school when it came to musical classes, which in retrospect was a bit silly.

I figure I'll give the idea some more thought over the next few months and if I'm still set on doing it, I'll get lessons.

[teddy]

Hello Lightwork and welcome to the forum. I took up classical guitar after heart surgery at the age of 53 years. I am crap at it but it gives me quite a lot of pleasure. Depending on where you live it may be possible to hire or borrow an instrument initially. Do it, otherwise you may well regret it later in life.

teddy

[marval]

Hello Lightworks, welcome to this great place.

Have you left it too late? No you haven't, 23 years old is still young. If you really want to learn to play a saxaphone the don't let anything stop you. I agree that learning to read music would be a help. If you can afford lessons that would be good as well.


Margaret

[bobbytie]

It's never too late, just have to put in the practice

[teddy]

Hello bobbytie and welcome to the forum.Do you have any particular musical interests

teddy

[Krummhorn]

. . . Basically, I'm 23 years old. Never learnt to play an instrument or read music. Had no interest in it in my youth, but I've always had this weird fascination with the saxophone. Basically, I'm wondering whether it's too late for me to become good?

Firstly, welcome to the forum ...

And, no, you are not too late in life to learn an instrument. I once had an organ student in her late 50's - she did great and within a year was substituting for me at church. Not a concert organist certainly, but could and did play well enough for a church service environment.

At any age, whether young or later in life, the keyword is "practice", and making time for doing so. Even after over 50 years of playing in church and doing concerts, I still practice several times each week, both at home on my piano and at the church where I'm employed.

Now then, how much to practice ... if you read my signature phrase below, you will know exactly how much practice will be required.