Learning How to Play the Saxophone in 30 Days

[@KizeBae]

This is probably the hardest challenge I've done so far (yes even more than the rap video lol) but hope y'all enjoy the final cover!🎷🎶

[@nehemiasvenegas8698]

Have you played any string instruments?

[@KizeBae]

@@nehemiasvenegas8698 does the cello in kindergarten count

[@mycovers1094]

Fingerstyle guitar next😁😁

[@nehemiasvenegas8698]

@@KizeBae oh what a surprise! I'm a cello player in high school

[@nehemiasvenegas8698]

@@KizeBae anyway have a great rest of your day

[@holysinful809]

As someone who has played for about a decade now, the amount of progress that you made starting from scratch in JUST a month all alone and without a real teacher is INSANE. Wow. Bravo!!

[@thirdshorts6657]

I can relate to that bro

[@MadBurner1]

Bro I got the sax two days ago I’m playing Pink Panther already… I’m cheating though because the sax it’s not my first instrument. Been playing guitar for 11 years so that helps too.

[@Big10Advice]

I can relate she is doing a great job in a month without a teacher. I’ve been playing for four years now, and I am extremely impressed with her efforts.

[@JANELYNCAMU]

She is a gifted person❤

[@rbdshadow7272]

@@MadBurner1 ide like to hear your tone from when you first typed this..

[@bettersax]

Kize, Great job on the video and your saxophone playing. You've shown that it takes a while to get a good sound but that you can also make a lot of progress in a short time.

[@KizeBae]

Thanks Jay! Appreciated your advice and encouragement :)

[@aerorods]

This is really awesome! Great work Kize! I've got a similar experience myself. After 6 years of dreaming to play the sax I finally bought my first instrument in Feb this year. Some issue along all that time prevented me from acting on my dream but Jay has been such an inspiration through his videos and the trigger moment was the release of the Better Sax Alto. Even during the time I didn't have the instrument I would pay close attention to all that he said in his videos. Specially the 'Better Sax Studio Episodes' ! After actually getting the instrument I faced the exact same issues you faced. Embouchure, how much mouthpiece to take in, etc. But in a short while I was able to play a few tunes which didn't make me cringe when listening back to. Thank You Kize for this video! I wish you the best! And Thank You Sir Jay! You are such an inspiration to so many of us!

[@nivirautela]

@@aerorods youre doing great! you can do it :)

[@aerorods]

@@nivirautela Cheers !!!

[@kerbioa]

Jay your too awesome.

[@averyshumway9472]

Ive been playing sax for 4 years now and i feel like emboucher is the part that takes the most amount of time to really perfect

[@awolnation2446]

As a person that did most of middle and high school (so like 6 years) playing the saxophone, it does take the most time.

[@saurabhbesoya]

@@awolnation2446 as a person that has never played the saxophone, it does take the most time.

[@christianhenry4173]

@@awolnation2446 as a Trumpet player embouchure is so easy on tenor sax than it is trumpet. Because your lips require the vibration, saxophone gets away with murder because the Reed does the heavy lifting. Here's a rule woodwind players can learn from brass players. Embouchures are not created equal Some play side ways to get a sound Some play straight on the mouth piece. Others have to play tilted. Some play with their upper lip in the mouth piece like miles Davis. Saxophone is a piece of cake its mostly on breathing, diaphragm and patience

[@peterbregar7325]

me too!

[@averyshumway9472]

@@christianhenry4173 as a sax player i very much disagree. I cannot say whether or not sax is harder than trumpet becuase they are very different. Sax seems like a very easy instrument when starting out, but as you progress you realise there are lots of things to overcome. An example being emboucher. Emboucher is more than just shaping your mouth in a way that lets you play, emboucher is perfecting every movement of the face, toungue, throat, etc. to be able to create a genuinley good tone and sound. once you realise and overcome the feat that is good emboucher, you can truly conqueror and play the saxophone well. I imagine this is the same for trumpet and all wind instruments.

[@williamramos3350]

I have always wanted to play the Saxophone. To me it is one of the most coolest looking instruments and the sound is so soothing. Thank you for showing that one can learn in such a short amount of time.

[@thattenorsax7453]

Seriously your sound from the first 5 days is amazing. As a saxophone player it took me about a year to get a right tone. Congrats girl

[@hello-lc3uv]

It's incredible how underrated this channel is

[@KizeBae]

🙏

[@marianye8434]

Ikr

[@jonyfanfan4126]

not even underrated! 30,000 in 10 months is pretty good!

[@jaron9535]

@@henrygrooves4326 yeah, i feel like ppl called her out, so she tried to make it more non noticeable at the emd but. she did play in this one.

[@jaron9535]

@@henrygrooves4326 yeah, i mean if its edited, whats the point in making a channel just to get caught

[@thelewis2898]

I'm on my second day on saxophone ever and seeing the progress you've managed to get in 30 days is so inspiring. Now I've got to get to it everyday as much as I can!

[@TomTakesTime]

How'd you do ?

[@butter2940]

How’d you do?

[@Ryanthegamer543]

During her final performance, I was actually pretty surprised that she was able to keep a straight tone whilst swaying and moving so much. It’s impressive for 30 days.

[@ricardomorela1547]

Perhaps she played under someone else's soundtrack. It is impossible to make such a sound and fingers in a month.

[@mtavares2806]

@@ricardomorela1547 yeah, it's hard to believe

[@foljs5858]

@@ricardomorela1547 dude she's asian. Also, not quite impossible... I was able to make it in about the same time (though I had experience with brass instruments from way back)

[@irish8813]

I've been playing Sax for almost 5 years now, and It's incredible what you managed to accomplished in just 30 days

[@Mr.saxobeat210]

Been playing for about 17 years now. And I’m so amazed of how much you improved in just a months time. Good job and keep it up! Hopefully this gives other people more hope of trying out this amazing instrument 🎷

[@HilaryMatthews]

Really impressed with what you have achieved in 30 days. I am approaching 70, and I have just started, and although it's going to take me a while, you have been an inspiration. Thank you

[@jeanne85060]

Wow, you are truly incredible. Your sax playing is wonderful, but I'm truly awed by your approach in all of your videos, I'm so envious - with your approach you can truly do anything.

[@weird0329]

I’m the lead alto sax in my jazz band and i can’t believe how quickly you progressed!! I really loved this video and i hope you have continued to play every now and then ❤😂

[@SavvySaxy]

I’ve watched this channel for a bit over a year, I just came back to this video, and I have to tell you it was so cool to watch you learn this instrument. I play saxophone and it was fun watching a KZbinr I watch learn how to play. I’m sure you don’t still play it, which I mean how could you keep up with all of these hobbies, but I’m glad you had fun and got to have that experience :)

[@jesiahgalvan1534]

I am a middle school band student that plays alto saxophone at 11 years old and I am a pro my band teacher says and you Kizie have beautiful tone on day 18 I am impressed

[@laurenthaxton]

as a saxophone player, i cringed so hard watching the first few days of the challenge 😅 i cant believe how quickly you learned! awesome work.

[@KizeBae]

ya it was tough haha y'all are amazing

[@tmxxx70]

Lau sei belkissimaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

Right?! Same!

[@kinseyn2118]

Especially when she wasn’t tounging Or positioning her lips right

[@thatboredgamer2269]

Yeah lol I was cringing when she didn’t use a neck strap

[@wolfslayer1263]

I've been playing the saxophone for 6 years now for jazz and marching band, you sounded great for 30 days watching you go on the journey was cool. keep up the hard work.

[@rachelpi.1271]

You did such an amazing job in just 30 days! I couldnt imagine hearing you play after a year! I played since middle school and after many years in picking it back up. I'm so encouraged!

[@Aurajingga731]

Can i cry ?? 😭 God you were amazing , i always wanted to be a saxophone player , but some of em says you need to be talented for playing saxophone , but then i saw you playing , and realized the practicing is the key , thank you for motivated me :)

[@justinpettit8282]

Your drawing video got me into drawing so thank you. Can't wait to watch this video💪 I know it's gonna be good!

[@KizeBae]

enjoy :-)

[@AbzoneGaming]

same

[@lelandguay6625]

omg, in 30 days you literally sound better than half the saxophone kids in my band class

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

She's really good at post production too though! While that doesn't cover up all sins, it certainly washes away the worst ones!

[@maccagrabme]

Yes she is genius level on drums too for 30 days, I call BS.

[@Andrew_mckenna]

I've been playing for around 6 years and you sound amazing! Sax is definitely not the easiest instrument to learn but it can sound amazing with enough effort. You clearly put in the effort and it was great!

[@raywood9994]

Literally started tearing up at the end performance! As a trumpet player of six years and piano player of a year (hopefully guitar soon), I can say that you hit the nail on the head for everything that comes to learning a woodwind instrument! Also watched your rap and drumming video and your approach was perfect! Literally taking the words out of my band teacher's mouth! Can't wait to see more!

[@sinaoduyemi4328]

Wow this is amazing I’ve been playing the Saxophone for 8 years and I’ve also learnt a lot from Jay especially when I first started in 2013 For 30 days this is amazingggg

[@hauteremusic9111]

The best part are the little comments during the video, always cracks me up! Congrats Kize, Sax is haaaard to learn and you did a great job! I'm excited for next videos ✨👏

[@saxyjuantv]

Amazing kize 😃 been playing saxophone for 20 years already. And i can see you really did an amazing job there :)

[@brycebutagain6451]

I’ve been playing for like 8-9 years and I’ve played alto, Bari, tenor and sop and I’ve loved every bit of it but when I started it was a struggle. You did so amazing for 30 days it’s crazy and your tone is very good for the amount of time. I still work on my tone to perfect it and through multiple masterclasses with pros the best thing is just keep practicing but make it fun you know. Anyway awesome video!

[@ForeignDrip0]

Oooo my soul that was so beautiful well done don't stop playing saxophone 🎉🎉🎉

[@fuckup5555]

Hi Kize . I've been 'playing' sax for a few months. What you did each day took me a week. You've encouraged me to keep trying. Thank you.

[@robstevens9590]

To make that much progress in 30 days, starting from 0 -- great accomplishment! (Jay is a great teacher too.)

[@innosibanda]

Helo l need to lean

[@tristanberardi2969]

Holy wow you have such an amazing tone at the beginning seriously impressive

[@seanbrown2642]

You inspired me to create my own channel where I can have fun and learn to skills/ challenge myself to do things out of my comfort zone!! Love watching the videos and hopefully I’ll have a slight chance of learning as quickly as you do !!

[@tybahl6119]

What happened to the videos?

[@johnpoulson5866]

i just watched the drumming video last night and here you are grooving on the sax today. you are phenomenal and a great example of how one can do anything if they truly want to!

[@habibi4580]

this is the most underrated channel ive ever watched so entertaining keep up the awesome work

[@GothicKing1977]

I played the Alto, and Baritone Saxophones way, way back in high school and at age 46, have decided to pick up the Alto again. I found this video on a search how to play. What a great video and idea. Hearing you play on your day 30 is a true inspiration. Thank you.

[@prometheanproductions...236]

Great job! I also play the Alto Saxophone and I agree, in the beginning it can be challenging but then it gets really fun! Continue with this instrument since the more you try the better it gets! Best instrument ever in my opinion!

[@skyflyr1015]

What you did is remarkable. Sure, I've heard more technically correct covers of Perfect, yet yours made me weep because you learned an amazing amount of not just sax, but musicality on sax in 30 days! Well done! My hope is that you continue on sax because you are truly a natural and your tone is delightful!

[@Robyamdam]

here's a silly idea: learn to fight with a sword (possibly a katana)

[@Robyamdam]

no i'm not being racist

[@putriscool]

@@Robyamdam bro WHAT lmfaoo

[@m.w.r.1408]

@@Robyamdam bruh you need to stop

[@nendu4316]

@@Robyamdam no one thought this

[@corgi3339]

@@Robyamdam just because it’s a katakana don’t mean it’s racist my man

[@thecocobeans2642]

Im not a sax player, as i play the other reed instrument, the clarinet, but all i can say is that it is really hard to learn a new instrument in only 30 days. it is just amazing how you can pick up these talents so nicely. Love the dedication!

[@evanyoon1230]

If you're a clarinet player, you probably won't struggle learning Saxophone at all. You'll get a decent sound in a day or two.

[@nicklochridge7937]

you’re so talented and yet so under appreciated. i hope you get notability you definitely deserve Kize. keep up the great work

[@armandouh7448]

I have been playing the alto,tenor and soprano and i took a long long time and seeing you learn it in 30 days is impressing.good job that good

[@gayatritiwari1978]

Heyy unnie!! A new video from you finally!! I love your videos a lot... Im learning korean currently and also left hand writing, I tried left hand before but gave up.. Im 13 years old and Ur my biggest inspiration unnie.. Love you a lot.. 💜💜💜💜 Love from India

[@theregoesmiller389]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS ! ! ! I am in my 30s and have ALWAYS wanted to play the sax. just never got around to it and also was letting it intimidate me. i always like listening to sax covers and your video randomly popped up in the suggestions and i am glad i clicked on it. gives me some confidence knowing that you just did that in 30 days. now if i gave it 90 days with an actual live coach... i think i might be able to see some decent progress that i would be happy about ) thanks again for your courage ! heres to going on amazon and buying a sax ! :)

[@husnapardis836]

Hey I have just come across your channel and could I please say that your externally talented and that theses challenges that you are doing are super inspirational and you have motivated me to do some things too. Thank you.

[@avaw9679]

girl you killed that cover! awesomeness🔥💪🏾

[@broadwaymike92]

Kize, This is amazing. I just started learning to play the saxophone earlier this year during the pandemic. Interesting breaking down and knowing the technical elements on how to blow and make the sound with the instrument. Mainly a singer so there are similarities with the air and the breath support you use.

[@RockyMountainSoul]

Just happened upon your channel (beginner sax player). I really like your approach. Your rendition of “Perfect” was perfect, wonderful nuance and feeling. Amazingly well done for just 30 days.

[@treviniaturner3881]

Just found this channel from better sax and subscribed! You learned the sax really fast and played the song beautifully.

[@jdjohnson1849]

The first video I saw of yours was the drums challenge. I've been playing drums on and off for over 20 years but fell out of it for a really long time. Just picked it back up last year and have been struggling with feeling like I've lost my groove. Your 30 day drum challenge was very impressive and has inspired me to keep grinding! 💪🏼 You're very talented and driven and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@glennencarnacion3360]

Another 🔥 video! I marvel at your determination. Keep up the great content!

[@juicymango8400]

Better sax sounds just like your lessons teacher in school. He understands everything and gives you amazing tips to improve the best way you can.

[@philmanuel1774]

Wow!! I was tearing up by the time you played the song -- beautiful song, beautifully played! (I have my daughter's sax sitting downstairs from back in her high school band days... 30 days, eh?! :) )

[@kristinakinlicheenyjr.fork3176]

I used to play the clarinet. I'm trying to relearn everything. I wish you had a clarinet video. Your channel is so cool!

[@jagdishprasadmeena4655]

Can you please do learning a new language in 30 days challenge?? Lots of love ♥️

[@zaax3117]

Soon she will be the best at every instrument and great job on the video

[@adamandrews7585]

That was beautiful I’m literally in tears 😭 right now

[@donaldbowen2468]

This video has really inspired me to get bak to playing. I'm 62 y/o and my father bought me a sax when I was about twelve, and I took music lesson from a guy that played with Tony Olando, but I can't play, you are amazing!

[@mattwright4620]

You live right near me hahah, I recognized the soccer place right by Strait Music. I've been playing the sax for about 5 years

[@TheLincMiller]

Dude same! I've been playing for about 4 years now and Holy frick I was surprised when she showed the Strait Music, especially the one I actually go to for stuff.

[@mattwright4620]

@@TheLincMiller Nice man. Weird how this was recommended to me

[@bellad5968]

as a sax major it was rlly impressive to see how much you improved in a month!👏🏽

[@ujjwalsharma1617]

Kize really planning to make a solo band!!😅

[@josecunha6974]

First of all, ".. more tougher"? Now, having done my grammar Nazi due diligence, let me say you are amazing. Got roped in because I too decided to learn the sax ( at age 58 but whose counting) to accompany my quest on the guitar and piano as well as reading music and theory. I was so astounded with your diligence and methodical approach, and the mind blowing progress you made conquering that song in 30 days and adding your own personal touch, I binged your other videos and was continually amazed. Brava, looking forward to seeing you apply your determination an tenacity to future tasks.

[@anders9491]

Awesome job, Kize.

[@majorcoolness]

Professional saxophone teacher here! That was awesome! Love your videos.

[@praptidas8687]

you are really great.. 😊

[@izzofanny2895]

I love your channel and how you are interesting on everything. You make me want to do the same... i've learned cello on my own and just like you i've Been practicing everyday im still learning now cause i fell in love with the sound. I saw yours on violon. And thats absolutly amazing. Thank you for beeing an inspiration keep the good work . Love from France

[@BeefELG]

Dang the sound is actually really about as good as mine and ive been playing for 4 years

[@unicornelli11.09]

I‘m playing Saxophon too since 4 or 5 years!! It‘s a wonderful instrument and the sound is…😍😍 I love it to play sonates or barock at all.

[@kenfreeman8888]

Impressive progress. I like your caption jokes.

[@WacoTravel]

It sounds amazing! The saxophone is a woodwind instrument it’s a woodwind because of the reed its made out of wood or cane. Somethings that might’ve caused the squeaks is your embouchure might’ve been too relax or too tight.

[@Haru_377]

try basketball or football 👀👀

[@joeholland9593]

Great job, in 30 days you are better than 80% of the kids I played with in high school after 4 years of band. I stopped playing sax for 38 years and picked it up again 3 years ago. I was told and still believe that the saxophone is the easiest instrument to play and one of the most difficult to master (oboe and bassoon are impossible). I picked up flute along the way and it is definitely easier to sound good on flute after a short time. Give it a try some time, embrochure is tricky but once you get it it's a joy. Really enjoyed the video.

[@devilofficial9117]

And that’s how she got the perfect jawline ;)

[@putriscool]

unfortunately playing the saxophone does not help your jawline :(

[@jacksoff6570]

That comes once you’re good enough to be a sexy sax man

[@devilofficial9117]

@@putriscool Really!?

[@putriscool]

@@devilofficial9117 yeah its more all in the lips kinda

[@haileyneel8426]

You played better, definitely as far as tone than nearly everyone in my middle school AND high school band classes!!! No one had the tone quality I had and YOU HAVE IT IN 30 DAYS!!! Great job, truly. This is coming from a used to be 8th grader that was first chair among seniors. They weren’t all laid back, they were competitive.

[@haileyneel8426]

The practicing and determination is what does it!

[@jaydenthepygmy]

as a former saxophone player, this was really accurate what i had to learn! thx for the brain refresh! 👍

[@dean3982]

Your performance after 30 day was very impressive, especially those high notes. Solid effort, hope your still playing the saxophone 🎷

[@T.RockTx]

Veeery nice! I am 76 and just bought an alto sax at an auction and will follow your inspirational journey and hope for a similar result. PS. Also bought a clarinet, trumpet and electric drum set, so plenty of learning to do.

[@darkkennight]

I have been playing sax all my life. You sound good for only learning for 30 days. keep at it.

[@bluerazz467]

First!!

[@rodrigues_Kas]

As a saxophonist player, I will admit that I'm really impressed with your improvements in just one month. Woah, congrats.

[@amaionnaise]

amazing job! I’ve played alto saxophone for about 7 years now and loved you video! Your enthusiasm and skill were palpable! Amazing job! You’re incredibly talented!

[@tristandillon6209]

I have played saxaphone for almost 2 years now and a tip is that that is an alto sax and you hold it forwards not to your side it clears up the sound a bit and makes it easier to hold.

[@gtv6381]

Thank you for making this I just started learning alto, saxophone, and I was having doubts, but my confidence is back. Thank you.

[@fifisayo]

I was just playing this song! I've been playing for only 2 months and you've acomplished more than I could!

[@JustinReid]

@KizeBae You did an amazing job learning to play this on your own. I would like to teach myself, but I am nervous. I have both the guitar and saxophone at home hoping to be able to play a complete song one day.

[@algaljrlange1527]

I have no idea how to play any wind instrument, and I also don't know how to read music, but this has inspired me to buy a saxophone and learn how to play it. I just love the instrument.

[@MrMoose_24]

With all the stuff you said about it being hard, as a sax player really upped my confidence

[@johnnyv.thatsme]

that song in the end of the video was well payed! Great job!

[@void_hunter3639]

I’m in 9th grade, have played for 3 years. Obviously not a master musician but I love been told by some of the Juniors that I’m actually really good, especially for being on 9th. I can attest to swaying making dynamics feel like they hit harder or work better. Slight motions make the music feel real

[@danielmosuro9426]

This is so inspirational. Performing something as beautiful as that after such a short time.

[@Zoey5374]

Surprisingly really good for one month of practice! I have only been playing (tenor) saxophone for about two months now, but I’ve played bass clarinet and Bb clarinet long before hand (4-5 years). So after a few minutes of trying out the saxophone it was easy to transfer over since it’s very similar. Also you mentioned moving your lip just a little, or just adjusting your embouchure a little bit makes a big difference in the sound. Basically you want a more relaxed embouchure for lower notes and a tighter/firmer one for high notes if that makes sense. And if you move your lip just a little bit that’s how you bend a note, I bend notes every now and again since I play a lot of jazz so some songs have a bend written in the sheet music (a little curved sometimes straight line that appears right before a not without connecting to the other notes). Try playing a fall off as well! They’re fun, basically you’ll see it as a straight or squiggling line going downwards from a note and you hold the pitch for a second, for example the note B, then you go down chromatically. There’s not too many rules that I know of in regards on how to do it you just do it and find what sounds right. I think it would be fun for you to try clarinet sometime as well! It’s similar to the saxophone, some key differences though is the size, keys, and notes. So it’s smaller so you need a tighter embouchure. When pressing down keys there’s holes you have to cover completely for them to play (think of covering the holes in a recorder). The notes are also different (also it’s a Bb instrument where alto sax is Eb), anyways the notes are similar but still different. A big difference is clarinets have a register key (raises the pitch 5 tones) and saxophone has an octave key (raises a full octave or 8 tones). I was so jealous when I found that out because you play a C on clarinet (the G fingering for sax) you add the register key and the C becomes a G! Where a G on the sax add the octave key and it becomes a G!!! Plus there’s extra pinky keys, more so you have to reach more with the left hand and there’s four keys for the right picky (five on my bass clarinet! I wouldn’t recommend bass clarinet only because of the cost they are expensive and I plan on buying one before I graduate high school 😭my wallets gonna be broke when I buy it it costs 3k for a student one). Other than that saxophone and clarinet (and bass clarinet) are fairly similar. I find saxophone pickier with some things like changing to a low not quickly after playing a high not, but I also have a lot more experience playing bass clarinet anyways so of course I’m gonna find it easier to an extent.

[@JebbyVR]

I’m watching this as a alto sax player and looking at the beginning she isn’t using a neck strap wich I must say you NEED, also watching this brings back memories of when I started playing. But some of her problems at the start I never had.

[@Penguins12345]

you did very well for just a month and I've been playing the saxophone for 2 years now

[@iiaurel9847]

Now oboe The hardest one "Wood wind" instrument :) It's amazing how great you did. Remeber to breathe from belly Beacuse if you breathe from lungs you can pass out And for me I don't want to do it but it drags me but lips will always hurt even professionalist if you keep training you will endure more

[@moinximoya]

You played it so well on day 30, congrats! Today is day one for me and I just want to jam my new sax. I can't even properly place my finger on it and lips hurt. Patience and practice.

[@amandaholmberg8858]

as someone who learned the tenor sax in literally the past 2 months-- i related a lot to that screeching at the beginning. I related to this a lot especially the idea of how hard it was to play the sax especially because of the tone quality and embouchure being terrible at the start. glad to see you powered through too and now know how the play the sax-- even if this is 2 years late.

[@bentlynf2602]

ive been playing for almost 4 years, amazing work your so talented

[@RJKNATT]

Sax player here i play for 2 years. im impressed how you did it in 30 days

[@KieronDwyer]

As a new alto sax player, I definitely find this inspiring and helpful in a few ways. I do wish the final performance didn’t have the musical accompaniment so we could hear the full unvarnished final outcome. Not to diminish your accomplishment, but I feel like it might be smoothed out in some ways by the backing track etc. Amazing work, congrats

[@amathesaxylady]

This is really impressive and a real inspiration for those wanting to learn to play the saxophone. BUT, as a sax player and teacher myself, for beginners, please take the following into consideration: 1. everyone learns at a different pace; 2. Kize is learning one song only in particular for her project, so she may only be learning the notes she needs for this song and missing out all of the others. 3. to work without.a teacher you have to be disciplined and motivated AND SHE SURE IS! 4. Some prior knowledge of music is really helpful, which Kize had. If you cannot play any musical instrument or cannot read music before you start, it will take you longer to learn. It took me about a month to learn the trombone to intermediate level, but I already had a strong background in music. HAPPY LEARNING EVERYONE!