Time for Saxophone Lessons!
It's 1:57.....almost time for saxophone lessons!
Finally! Its 2:00! Time for my saxophone lesson! All of the other students in my lesson group are getting ready. I need to get my backback packed and ready for the end of the day. I have my books, homework, agenda, pencils, coat, gloves.....
Time to set up my chair and music stand. I don't always set them up the right way, but my friends are here to help me.
I have to remember that the music stand faces the chair. I sit with two feet flat on the floor at the edge of the chair. I have to sit tall and not tense.
Next, its time to put on the neck strap. This holds the saxophone so I don't drop it when I play. I don't really like to wear this because it hurts my neck sometimes....but my music teacher Mrs. Oehmen tells me that it will help make my muscles stronger and it will help my posture. I guess I'll get used to it.....
Next step is to put the reed on the mouthpiece. I have to put the reed in my mouth to get it wet so the saxophone can play.
I always make a funny face when I have to do this and my classmates make funny faces too.
This is a weird thing to do and I don't like the taste in my mouth, but my teacher tells me that it helps me make a beautiful sound when I play.
Time to put the saxophone together!
1. Reed goes on the mouthpiece and ligature holds them in place.
2. Reed goes on the neck. Twist and push.
3. Neck goes on the saxophone. Twist and push.
4. Neck strap links on the loop.
I get frustrated because it takes me a long time to put the saxophone together and sometimes I get confused about where each part goes. Billy usually helps me if I need it- he's really nice.
Time to play!
Mrs. Oehmen always brings her saxophone and plays with us. She always says "I play, you play" and "I sing, you sing". We've learned notes B-A-and G by ear so far! Sometimes my ears hurt a lot because its really loud and I need to cover my ears. Mrs Oehmen tells us to use less air if we are playing really loud.
Music looks confusing and I don't know if I'll be able to read it. Mrs. Oehmen says that once we learn more notes by ear then we will learn to read with our eyes. I can't wait to read music!
