How do I actually get better at playing this instrument?
Earlier in January, I had a look at various videos on Youtube. The common consensus is really simple to say, but actually hard to put into practice (literally!) – you just have to learn all your scales!
Learn the Chromatic scale (in plain English: “going up and down in semitones”). This, according to HelloSaxophone, is the only way to get better. It helps you to be more comfortable with every note – especially the sharps and flats you’re trying to avoid.
Saxophone on stage (by Peter Jozwiak)
I also found that learning the Chromatic scale is helpful for getting my fingers around the lowest notes (on the left pinky) and the highest notes (on the palm keys). After a few weeks, I have a much better idea where they are! If you’re not sure, use a fingering chart. That’s what it’s there for.
Start slowly and concentrate on precision rather than speed, to let the muscles learn where each note is, and the transitions between them. Jay Metcalf says this is the fastest way to learn.
Getting familiar with the Major and Minor scales is also important. Just knowing the major scales isn’t enough. And I’ve found that songs I want to play along to are often in awkward keys, like C# or F#. I just have to get over the fact that I need to know them all.
(Creative Commons photo credit Peter Jozwiak: https://www.flickr.com/photos/piotrjozwiak/3529871163)