hi one and all

i really like to learn saxophone.but before starting, i wanna know how hard it is to learn (compared with violin, guitar ,piano and so on).my next quston is, do you think i can learn saxophone without having a teacher?

I shouldn't think it's any more difficult to learn than other instruments, just that, like them, it has own peculiarities of technique to work on. It's just a matter of whether it suits the individual, really. I played clarinet first and found the sax slightly easier. However I've also played guitar and piano to some extent, and have found them quite difficult by comparison. But maybe that's because I'm not a piano/person.

As for learning without a teacher? Well you can, but you won't know what's a good technique or not. Best if you can get one, at least in the early stages, just to make sure you're not doing anything drastically wrong. Once you've got the basics, then yes, you could conceivably toddle off on your own for a while if money or time is an issue.

Of course, the good thing about continuing lessons, especially if you're an adult, is that it does help to keep up the motivation. A lesson once a month or so is maybe all you'll need once you're up and running - depends how serious you are and what level you want to get to.

Yep - Micron's correct. People have given up early on because they had a badly set-up sax which made it hard to play. A good teacher will be able to give your sax the once-over and tell you whether it's the sax at fault or just that you need to practice more.

I supposed the same goes for any instrument, so a few lessons always make sense if you can afford them.

i agree, i'm a guitar player and i tried to learn the trumpet. that thing just blew my mind. but i'm teaching myself the saxophone right now and its coming along pretty good!

If you don't have woodwind experience. You should definitely get a teacher. The fingerings aren't hard, but there are still a lot of complicated things with embouchure and tounging and that good stuff.

I played clarinet and tuba before i picked up my beloved tenor, and to tell the truth, it wasnt that hard at all. But i would still highly recommend a good lessons teacher to introduce you to the basics and have you master them first. But if you cant get lessons.....

1.Rent a sax and make sure you actually like it.
2.Get some reeds, Vandoren size 2 is good for beginners
3.Get yourself a saxophone beginner book, look over notes,fingerings,embochure,etc.
4.Practice every day.

With all this and a love for music, im sure youll do great.

Welcome to the world of SAX!

The saxophone is hard just because of all the different techniques that can be learned. Depending on the type of person you are, you might be able to teach yourself. My friend just switched from trumpet to the alto sax and she asked me to show her the basics so she could get a feel of it. If you have any friends who play the saxophone, see if they can show you a thing or two before you set off by yourself.