Redkmd, I'm in the same boat as you, I'm 30 and just decided to learn to play the saxophone a couple weeks ago. I took about 1 year of piano lessons when I was 10 years old, but other than that, I've had little experience learning music. My father and several friends are good musicians, so hopefully that will help me. My piano teacher said I had a very good ear for music, so hopefully I will be able to take to the sax well, with enough work and practice. I chose to play a tenor sax, because I always prefered the sound of them. I have not decided what model sax to buy, but I did rent a Yamaha YTS-23 from a music shop last week. I plan on taking lessons soon, and from there I'll probably decide what type of sax to get. I'm leaning towards the Yanigasawa saxes, because of the all positive posts I've read, that claim they are very nice, high quality, professional saxes for a good price. I would recommend that you rent a sax of your choice from a local music store, and start taking some lessons. Don't let any naysayers discourage you, I don't let them discourage me. With enough determination and work, you can succeed. In one of the jazz music books I purchased, it stated that Charlie "Bird" Parker practiced for 10-14 hours a day for 3 to 4 years to become so good. Just keep working at it, and I'm sure you'll be a great player some day. Good luck, Norm

When you're deciding whether to play tenor or alto, neither is better - it's personal preference. the alto is slightly smaller, slightly higher in pitch, and in the key of Eb (tenor is in the key of Bb). tenors generally cost more money also. when you're looking into a horn, i'd recommend going to a local music store and seeing what used horns they have. Maybe consider renting one too, if you arent sure if you're going to continue playing. I was in the same position as you at one point, so my dad took me to the music store and they had this beginner Alpine alto sax for about $350. It's a really cheap horn, and I need a more advanced one now that i've been playing for a while, but that beginner horn does get a good tone with a quality mouthpiece, ligature, and reed. The top brands these days are Keilwerth, Selmer, Yamaha, and, Yanigasawa, but they're all pretty expensive. also Keep in mind that the value of beginner and intermediate horns usually goes down as it's used, but the value of pro horns generally goes up..... that's why renting could come in handy. Good luck! Kara

first, do yu play any other inst. can you read music, play by ear, etc. because if this is also yur first muscial experience not everone is sutited for or has an ear as im sure you have heard people who think they can sing, well if yu don't know yur making mistakes yu can't play and yu would be wasting your money good advice from karebare maybe rent but if you alreand play i would buy a better one rather than a cheap one, of course it depends how serious you are. take a look in the local newspaper, sometimes people sell good horns kids lose interest in, most of all be patient, good luck and have fun