Can affordable saxophones be GREAT?

[@WestphillyRhythmconnection]

I have a Jean Paul Tenor and I love it.. i dropped it at a gig and it got damaged a bit. I still played it for a month or so. Then had a huge speaker fall on it in an open case at a different gig and my keys on the bottom got bent. I got it fixed and it plays wonderful.. I truly found an amazing instrument..

[@HahnJames]

I have had a Jean Paul SS-400SP curved soprano saxophone for 18 months. I use a Yamaha 5C mouthpiece and an Otto Link Tone Edge 6S mouthpiece with it. I never have a problem keeping it in tune and it sounds great. I also haven't had any problems hitting the low notes all the way down to low Bb or the altissimo notes. I don't think of it as a student saxophone. It's got a really fast and easy action and it's very well constructed. I have a lot of fun with it. I also love the case. The inside is form fit around the instrument. When it's in it's case, it doesn't wiggle in there. It's a whole lot easier to throw it on my back and head out to a park or something to practice than my straight soprano sax is. When I'm heading out somewhere to play, my Jean Paul is my instrument of choice.

[@ADF-fe7fv]

My cheap alto sax is pretty good! It’s no Yamaha, but I’m happy with it (and I’m a returning player, played alto and tenor for years, so I have experience).

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool. Glad you like your sax.

[@williamstewart611]

Love this! My next tenor will be a Jean Paul!!!

[@EricPalmerBlog]

As an intermediate player, an expensive horn won't help me. As always keep up the great work! Love the channel! A year ago I came back to the saxophone after a 43 year pause (when I played alto and tenor for 7 years). I decided to get a JP AS-400 to start off. Good decision. All the things reviewers say. "Dark". I like it. But I used it so much that I bought a 40 year old "Vito" Alto (OEM Yamaha 23) to learn repair (I am in Australia). ONCE I got back up to speed in capability, then the Jean Paul really started to shine. BEAUTIFUL sound with the stock mouthpiece and a 2 1/2 read. Top to bottom nice sound. I think the JP AS-400 would be great for classical, sax quartet etc. I can consistently play through the whole range in pianissimo if I want. It never limits me to what I want to do. Played the neighbor's Selmer Super Action 80 Series 1 and while the middle range might sound a bit better, at my skill level (intermediate), It wasn't magical. I don't need an expensive horn. Finally, at the price point, the JP-AS400 is beautiful. The subtle engraving is just enough. Shipping to Australia was perfect and protected well. And of course JP QCs and sets up the horn. Played perfect out of the box. Dream JP Alto would be one without the high-F sharp key (personal preference).

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and I agree, the JP saxes are excellent value.

[@robstevens9590]

Great interview! When I was in college I borrowed an alto from a friend and taught myself to play. I had a summer job and earned enough to buy a Selmer Mark VI (for under $700 back in the 60's). I played it for a few years, but it got stolen. For the next few years I played 2 different horns: one was borrowed and the other one got stolen (again!). Then for about 15 years I didn't have a sax. I was in Ukraine shortly after the break-up of the USSR and I bought a used Amati alto for $220. People were desperate to get $ as the local currency was collapsing. I spent another $100 to get it in good playing condition and have been playing it since then. Last year I was in Miami and made an appointment to play test the Jean-Paul 860 tenor, but something came up at the last minute. I think it is great that some good affordable horns are now available.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks for watching Rob.

[@rd40082]

Nice story about the musician with the lended yamaha saxophone

[@chrisdyson5513]

Great Podcast. Really interesting discussion and loved hearing Nigel play the Jean Paul saxophones.

[@LyndonMorgans]

Great chat and good to catch up with Jean Paul Saxophones as herd of them but never looked into it and always nice to have insight and know the person and knowledge behind the product which helps to make good choices. I will check out their website. Some useful tips here thank you

[@sovereign142]

Nice timing as I want to upgrade from my Elkhart 11, and was tempted to buy on e bay. There are some good rent-to-buy places in the uk and now I can ask if they have been set up, something which I had never thought of before!

[@profileproductions4462]

Kids can not buy a $700 dollar Sax can yo put up some videos on maintenance. Such as re corking, mouth piece, and reeds......ect. thanks for the info!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Sure. Great suggestion.

[@bobblues1158]

Great concept with the video!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks for watching.

[@yoshitravelsjapan]

Hi! First of all, great content even for me who lives in japan and have super easy access to the great yamaha and yanagisawa saxophones. I wonder if you have ever played the Antigua Pro alto saxophone. If so, id like to know your thoughts

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed this video. I haven’t tried Antigua saxes yet but they are on my list for sure.

[@richardb3882]

"finding the right tutor" how do you do that? speaking from the UK

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Excellent question. I think the right teacher for you should be someone you enjoy learning from who is experienced and has a good structure to how they teach. That’s hard to find but super important if you want to stay motivated and keep improving. If you are struggling to find the right person our ACCELERATOR program might be a better option for you. www.saxschool.online/accelerator

[@crugil]

What is the soong Nigel plays at about 6:15, really beautiful. It's... something on a rainbow, on the tip of my tongue and driving me nuts...Ahh got it, I've got the world on a string.

[@georgetucci9443]

....sitting on a rainbow

[@Jaujau933]

Yes ! The Chinese have developed well in this area !!