I have for some time now wanted to find a saxophone teacher. I haven't been successful in finding someone online. Last year, I noticed an ad from a music school, but I didn't have the energy to assess whether or not the concept would suit me. I'm not sure that attending a lesson each week would fit me. First of all, I don't always have the time to practice from week to week, and secondly, I get tired of too many fixed appointments during the week. This Christmas, I noticed a new ad from the same music school, and this time I grabbed the opportunity. Most of all, because I only had to commit for half a year.

I haven't met physically with my teacher because of COVID-19. As a substitution, he arranged for us to meet online. At this point, I have attended two online lessons and one physical lesson, and I'm very happy with the choice I made to sign up for the lessons.

I'm aware that I have to keep a low profile on some of my opinions. I'm a big fan of play-along sheet music, and I know that a lot of people don't share my opinion on that subject. So I'm curious about my teacher's opinion. Up until now, I sense that play-along sheet music isn't his favorite kind of music, but I also sense that he doesn't know diversity. Despite his opinion about play-along sheet music, he uses it in the lessons because he knows that I like it - kudos to him for meeting me halfway.

Before my first lesson, my teacher sent me an email asking me to tell him a little about what I wanted to work on. I talked a lot about tone quality and sound, and as a side note, I mentioned that I don't know how to improvise. He has given me advice on how I produce good-sounding altissimo notes. He also says that my sound on the saxophone is good, but he has focused on teaching me to play by ear and improvise. He has made me try different methods of improvising. I think he is figuring out how he best can teach me to improvise. So far, I'm progressing, but it is very difficult for me.

Well, I'm looking forward to evaluating my decision to get saxophone lessons. But first, I need to listen to my teacher and learn from him.

And now it's time to disassemble my Christmas tree.