Lately one corner of my studio has been taken over by a new but kind of old passion - music. Amid the collection of Barbie dolls and art materials the heavy Washburn electric bass has been retired until I can afford to swap it for a gorgeous violin Hohner bass (like the one Paul Mc Cartney played) I saw in the local music shop. I want to keep some type of bass because I spent 2 years at weekly band rehearsals learning how to play it, but really, the sax speaks to me like the bass never did.
After doing a short stint with the bagpipes (which I adore) I swore I would never try to play another reed instrument. They are just so damn temperamental. But even with the difficulties involved in getting a good tone and the occasional random demoralising squeak I am completely seduced by the variety of voices the sax provides, even for a complete novice of 7 weeks.
I am supposed to be practising my scales, memorising them along with arpeggios (which are basically chords). And I am. Every day I do that, even the days I have been in a fair bit of pain. It's part of the new regime (along with my 10 Kum Nye Tibetan morning yoga exercises). But I have to admit that once I have gone through the basics I drift off - I play one of my mp3s and see if I can pick out some of the notes so I can work out what key it is in. Then I can jam along, very simple arrangements, but such fun. The surfing definitely helps with lung capacity but I have to stop before I want to because my mouth is still not strong enough to maintain its position for a long time.
There are many subtle ways to get a sound out of this complex looking instrument. It will take me years to gain a rudimentary understanding. So close to the human voice, which Robin says is the 'ultimate form of musical expression' - the sax is a wonderful marriage of hands, fingers and voice.
Although there is obviously something very primitive about the throbbing beat of the bass, which is itself a beautiful fusion of rhythm and harmony, there is also something primal about an instrument played with the breath.
