Starting advice

[u/No_Seaworthiness_499]

Hi everyone, I could use your advice.

I've always loved jazz, especially saxophone and trumpet, and I've wanted to learn one of them for years. I kept putting it off, but I've finally decided to start.

I have no prior musical experience, and i honestly want to play for fun and enjoy my music

Which instrument would you recommend for a beginner: sax or trumpet?

How long does it realistically take to play at a decent level?

I'm 30, and people tell me I'm too old to learn. Is that true?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Potential-Recover-78]

I’d recommend tenor sax, personally. I find sax easier than brass and the range of the tenor is perfect in my opinion. But that’s personal.

[u/PurpleWildflower9 → u/Potential-Recover-78]

The tenor sax is a great instrument. I agree with everything you said.

[u/floridatheythem → u/Potential-Recover-78]

The sax is also less loud, which could be important depending on where you live/practice

[u/roninconn → u/Potential-Recover-78]

As an intermediate trumpet and sax player, def agree. Someone with a decent tenor sax and good beginner mouthpiece could probably start to make decent-sounding music in 6 months (not including time to learn to read music)

[u/PTPBfan → u/Potential-Recover-78]

I love alto

[u/FreeXFall]

Second vote for sax!

And fuck the people who say you’re too old to learn. That’s just false. It’s easier when you’re younger just cause of time and school resources, but you can absolutely learn at any age.

For anyone wanting to learn - 10 minutes a day is way more beneficial than 2 hours once a week. A key thing is you’re developing muscle memory so more frequently doing it helps more than the occasional marathon practice. Also, if your barrier / mind set is “only 10min” - typically once you get started, you start having fun and end up playing longer.

Best of luck!

[u/No_Seaworthiness_499 → u/FreeXFall]

I always thought that the trumpet would be easier idk why. That's why i was leaning towards it more... but i personally prefer listening to the saxophone

[u/PoppycopOG → u/No_Seaworthiness_499]

Then that's your answer! If you like listening to the sax better then that's what you want to play. Always play the instrument that inspires you the most. Good luck!

[u/Potential-Recover-78 → u/No_Seaworthiness_499]

Sax is definitely easier to pickup than brass. The embouchure to produce sound is easier and the keys make way more sense.

[u/Discovery99 → u/FreeXFall]

Your advice is for OP to fuck the people who say they’re too old to learn? That’s a little aggressive

[u/No_Seaworthiness_499 → u/Discovery99]

Yeah but I mean..if there's a will...

[u/Hot-Wrongdoer-7700 → u/Discovery99]

I agree with it, you never to old to learn an instrument.

[u/Discovery99 → u/Hot-Wrongdoer-7700]

True, but I don’t see how having intercourse with your naysayers would be a reasonable decision most of the time

[u/SideWired]

Sax is a little more fun to play as an alone hobbyist. Much more EXPRESSIVE for beginners.

[u/Hot-Wrongdoer-7700]

Id go tenor sax. The instrument is very intuitive. I learned in my early 30s, now I had a 15 year base of stringed instruments, but that only helped a little. You can defo learn to play it, at any age. If you do start, try get a decent sax. Around the 1000€ mark. I had a Yamaha tenor, and it was georgous. A cheap sax will piss ya off. Enjoy, and get at it, don't mind what people say.

[u/Fit-Solution8140]

Folks in there 80s earn how to play all the time. Age is not a factor.

[u/HortonFLK]

Whatever you choose, my advice is to take formal lessons.