[Dixielandjazz] Easiest instrument

[Charlie Hooks]

on 2/22/03 10:24 PM, Rob McCallum at rakmccallum at hotmail.com wrote:

> If one singles out any one instrument as easier, let's say tenor sax, does
> anyone really think that they're going to sound anything like Coleman
> Hawkins without at least a decade of continual practice and determination?

Doubt they'll sound like Hawk even WITH such dedication.  But I must agree
with tenor sax as the easiest by far of all the instruments.  To play it
well, that's always another matter.  But anyone with reasonable finger
dexterity can learn to play a simple tune or two in a few minutes.   Try
that with any brass instrument.  Or clarinet.  A good brass player, picking
up a tenor for the first time, will be astounded to find, "Hey!  That's all
there IS to this?"  Tenors are easier than the smaller saxes because the
tenor needs less embouchure support.  They will yield more satisfaction more
quickly that other instruments.

On the other hand, I'm sure you agree that anyone who chooses a tenor for
its ease is dead in the water anyway.

Charlie