Three years ago, I hadn’t ever played an instrument… This year at age 63, I married my partner of 22 years and played the saxophone along with a jazz band at my wedding! How on earth did this happen?!
I’ve always loved music but I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument when I was younger, so it didn’t seem a realistic option until a musician friend came round with a saxophone and I had a go. Although it sounded like a duck with a migraine, I was hooked and started having soprano saxophone lessons. Unfortunately, I struggled with it as a first instrument, then covid intervened, and music lessons stopped.
Once we were allowed out into the world again, I was determined to have another go and so I changed to the alto saxophone. When I bought my new saxophone, I remember hearing harmonious sounds as the owner played it to ‘check that everything was perfect’, but when he handed it over, I was convinced that he’d given me the wrong instrument as I STILL sounded like a duck with a migraine!
Finally, I found a new saxophone teacher with a jazz background and lessons started to go well. Even though I wasn’t keen to learn music theory, my teacher sneaked some in without me noticing and selected songs to work on which were the right level, challenging but not demotivating. My lessons have taught me that a huge part of learning jazz is improvisation – otherwise known as ‘the torturous memorisation of chords, pentatonics, and other dark arts’. I have also exhaustively tested the theory that there are no wrong notes in jazz, if you play them confidently… apparently!
With my confidence building and a ‘do it now before it’s too late’ attitude that age brings, I decided to be brave and found that when you do this, opportunities seem to present themselves. I have been lucky enough to find and really enjoy Sax Bandits which also led me to take part in an inspiring improvisation workshop with Hannah Horton. I’ve since joined in with the Jazz Jammin’ sessions at Chipping Norton and Highworth. Many times, it’s felt uncomfortable, like I’m punching way above my weight but it’s always rewarding and I’ve always learnt something new.
I had no intention of playing saxophone at my wedding, I mean, as a saxophonist of only 3 years, why would any sane person want to put that added pressure on themselves on their big day? However, my teachers’ band were playing at the wedding and in a moment of weakness, I agreed to play a few songs! After minesweeping a couple of unattended prosecco glasses, wearing my sparkly wedding dress and excruciatingly painful shoes, I did it. Under the gentle guidance and support of my teacher and his excellent band, and motivated by the encouraging reception of ‘we don’t care what you sound like because we love you’ from family and friends, I was carried on a high through a pretty harmonious Song For My Father and very pleasing rendition (even to my ears) of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. It really was a moment that I will never forget and always be grateful for!
Learning the saxophone has taught me that it’s so easy to say ‘no’ too quickly and the opportunity of new experiences can easily pass you by. If you’re brave enough to give things a go, you can feel a real sense of pride in your achievements!
Despite the progress I’ve made, I know there is much to still learn and work on. However, I’m happy to say that the duck with a migraine has learned to fly, and has now been replaced by a reed warbler! The magical, musical, mystery flight continues and who knows what else I will discover during the journey!
What a lovely read, and heartfelt story. It’s wonderful to have you with us as part of the Sax Bandits family!
That’s a fantastic story! And a very brave thing to do! I’m still struggling wth having the confidence to do any improv. I need to take heed of your story and give it a go!
Thank you, that’s so lovely of you to say. Sax Bandits is a real joy.
That is such a lovely story and so well told. Well done. Offers hope to all of us, though perhaps I\’ve left it a bit late.
Wow Elaine that’s amazing I didn’t realise you had played at your own wedding what an achievement
Jill
Great story. Congratulations on both your wedding and your saxophone journey!
Excellent advice as usual. many thanks
Campbell