Woohoo! We got the saxophone!

[paigevz]

DS had to go for his band "tests" for 6th grade. He put down sax as first choice, percussion as 2nd, and trumpet 3rd. I had to skip a math grant class because he was so insistent that we had to get there right away as it was first come, first served, and they will only sign up a certain number for each instrument, and he was dying to get the saxophone (they all start with alto and move into tenor later from there.........bass is a different family, really, and I don't know what they start them on for it).

They tested him for percussion first.........he was great at his knee slappin' not so rhythmic in his toe tappin', but percussion head said he'd take him as he has all exceeds expectations in conduct for the year, and he likes good kids in percussion as sometimes they have to stand in the back and "entertain themselves" while he works with someone. Honestly, I don't think DS would be too good at that, and he did admit to it as we were leaving...........he was given HIGH for percussion.

Then they tested trumpet.............he couldn't even begin to use that mouthpiece properly........scored LOW.

Finally went for his sax test, gave him the mouthpiece, and instead of the squealing and squeaking all the other kids produced, got a medium-loud, even, long tone. She had him blow 5 times, each time, even, controlled, and smooth. Scored him HIGH.

So then he got to choose percussion or sax, and so took his first choice. He was so nervous, and now he's so happy!

 

[Carl]

Congratulations. I play tuba, but didn't start until high school. I think it is great that they are starting kids as young as elementary school now. It is interesting that they actually try them out on different instruments before assigning them to one. I was assigned a tuba before I even knew what a tuba was, much less having played one.

 

[LK03]

Aww congratulations to your son! I remember when I tried out for band. I really wanted to play the flute but unfortunately I didn't breath right so I couldn't play, boo! I played clarinet all through school and then college. The only thing about the reed instruments is it gets pricey buying all those reeds. Wait till you buy a reed clipper to get more life out of them and start trying different brands. I even had a plastic reed believe it or not because it had a longer life span. I hope he loves band, I sure did!

 

[Captain Brain]

I have played the Sax for a couple years. I hope your son likes it as much as I do!

 

[simba928]

Thats great! Congratulations to your son! I used to play violin in 5-6th grades. We didn't have to test or try out or anything. They sent home a paper, you checked which one you wanted and they held a "try-out", but noone was ever turned away. I was horrible (it screeched and squawked and made noises that I had never heard before). LOL. I hated the teacher, too. She was a real witch. Of course the year after I quit, she retired, so if I would have waited another year, I might still be playing. Its probably a good thing for the HS band director/orchestra teacher that I didn't wait, though. LOL. He would have kicked me out by now. Now I am in band (color guard) and lovin' it. I am actually pretty decent at it, too! LOL. Anyways, I hope your son has fun and enjoys playing the sax.

Geez, I ramble. LOL. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[Cindy B]

Aww congratulations to your son! I remember when I tried out for band. I really wanted to play the flute but unfortunately I didn't breath right so I couldn't play, boo! I played clarinet all through school and then college. The only thing about the reed instruments is it gets pricey buying all those reeds.

My son plays oboe. The reeds for that have to be hademade and scraped! Clarinet/sax reeds are CHEAP compared to oboe reeds.

If we don't get supplies in for our reeds (my DH makes them and music teacher scrapes them) one reed that will last maybe three weeks is about $20.

 

[slo]

That's great news about your DS!!!!
Good luck to him with learning his new insturment

 

[LBAK]

My 10 yo DD has played the sax for 2 years now and LOVES it. I hope your DS loves it as much. It's a great opportunity for kids to be able to play an instrument.

 

[Evil Queen]

Congrats.

Oldest DS started band in 5th grade in Tenn. He picked the flute to play. He stuck with it until he left high school. He also learned the Oboe in HS. He did marching band in HS. I remember and miss those Friday night football games, competitions and for the most part the trips!

 

[golfgal]

I have 2 sax players. The Sax is a VERY expensive instrument, though. Their beginner sax's cost almost as much as we paid for DS's really nice trombone.

 

[paigevz]

Yes, we're renting with a service agreement...........when I saw that total on the contract, I did a double take..........didn't actually know it costed that much!

Thanks for all your well wishes!

 

[golfgal]

Yes, we're renting with a service agreement...........when I saw that total on the contract, I did a double take..........didn't actually know it costed that much!

Thanks for all your well wishes!

Just wait until you have to upgrade the sax! We are looking at getting 2 of them this summer. I am hoping I can find them used but in great shape. We are looking at about $3000 for the used ones.

 

[jimmiej]

I come from the other side. I'm a band director. As I write this, we've just finished 4 nights of putting kids on instruments. We did 189 kids so far. I imagine we'll have about 50-75 more we'll have to call & do over the next few weeks. Whew! I'm pooped!!!

One parent told us our band SUCKS because his son didn't make percussion. Course, only about 100 kids asked for percussion! Sorry, gotta draw the line somewhere.

 

[paigevz]

I never understand that. If DS hadn't got a saxophone, we would have been disappointed, but just chosen something else. They would have put him on SOMETHING. I definitely know DS is good at some things and not so good at others. It didn't bother me that he couldn't do the brass at all. And I played trumpet in band in high school!

 

[jimmiej]

I never understand that. If DS hadn't got a saxophone, we would have been disappointed, but just chosen something else. They would have put him on SOMETHING. I definitely know DS is good at some things and not so good at others. It didn't bother me that he couldn't do the brass at all. And I played trumpet in band in high school!

Bless you!

Drumline is VERY popular here. Parents take their kids out of school early to try to be first. They need to understand, it's based on a point system of rhythmic abilities. We tell them that, but they can't see past their own wants & desires (of course, not all are like this). I had one 4th grader's(!) parent call me a couple years ago. They wanted to know all the criteria so they could prepare (for two years )!!!