Looking for advice! :)

[u/FlounderFar9755]

Hello, so I'm a massive fan of Alabaster DePlume's music (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nmma-ai9vXHuArkQflSRpnfgwbKblhfVo&si=mCRmNDFhjFzU7sZH) and his stuff is the reason I picked up the sax in the first place. I know his style is really unique and inimitable but I do want to eventually play music that's at least inspired by him.

I know he mostly plays the tenor sax but I could only get my hands on a secondhand alto for now. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to music and am learning the basics of music theory now. Everything is self taught.

I hope to eventually work up to getting a tenor sax for myself. In the meantime, I'm all ears for any advice you all might have for me. What should I be practicing, looking into, doing for now?

I also have some questions about saxophone parts.

- what kind of reeds should I be using if I want my music to sound as much like his as possible? currently I have a vandoren strength 3 reed, and an ammoon strength 1 1/2 reed. the ammoon is easier to play with for now since I'm a beginner and probably don't have the muscles built up for a particularly strong embouchure yet, but I imagine I might want to get thicker reeds eventually?

- should I be looking too much into the kind of mouthpiece / ligature I have, if case I need to replace them eventually?

- what should I (eventually) be looking out for in a tenor saxophone, if my aim is for my music to sound similar to his?

I'm well aware that what I should be focusing on right now is drilling the basics--which I am!
I'm just all ears for whatever advice anyone has to give me.

Thanks a lot!

[u/gundalf_the_black]

Ok since youre asking for advice here are my tips.

1. Get a teacher, i know it costs money but why invent the wheel while you could have someone guide you to your goal. You yourself dont always know whats best or what you need to focus on and a teacher will make a huge difference on your progress.

2. Have you bought the saxophone already? If not, try renting one. This could allow you to get a tenor saxophone while remaining within budget. Additionally a second hand saxophone you own generally needs maintenance, if you dont know when you need maintenance and when its just you fckin up, having an external party be responsible for maintenance absolutely helps.

3. generally with reeds most people start on mediums or 2.5. Not too hard not too soft. Softer reeds require more control. Harder reeds require more air support. Do what feels comfortable. Reed should not be a obstacle but an enabler.

4. Mouthpiece matters a lot and differ a lot. Sadly i dont think someone unexperienced needs an special or expensive mouthpiece. Focus on getting a proper sound first because thats the basis regardless of the mouthpiece.

5. Having a expensive saxophone is sadly not going to give you the sound you want. Much like a mouthpiece, you need to have atleast some skill in order to get any benefit in sound of the professional horns.

6. Standard thing to practise depends on what level you are at but generally long tones, scales and arpeggios.

7. Get a beginner book and slowly work through it.

8. The most imporant tip! Have fun! Never forget to have fun.