As I have posted before, we are planning a month in Europe in June and July. This is my wife and I traveling with our 12 year old daughter and our 16 year old son. Our son would like to take his saxophone along with him as he cannot be away from playing it for that long. This is a legitimate concern as he is quite good, not just proud dad talking, he has played with former members of Tower of Power and they were impressed. I have convinced him that taking the baritone sax is out of the question because of its size, but the alto sax is in a hard case and is not bigger than the typical carry-on duffle or roll-aboard bag. He wants his picture with it in the crosswalk on Abbey Road, then we will be in Scotland, Amsterdam, Reutte, and Switzerland. We will be staying with many musician friends, but also some hotels, traveling on trains, one overnight, and easy jet. Does anyone see a problem with this? Are there any pitfalls, or pratfalls, to traveling with an instrument? I can barely play the radio so I need some input from those of you that are more musically inclined.
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
TSA has its own webpage devoted to traveling with musical instruments:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm
Posted by
Scotland
505 posts
Greetings
I would second the suggestion not to bring the instrument - for one, it often count as one of your items (or only item) of carry-on luggage. And if you are taking short flights within Europe, you sometimes are on small planes so anything but the smallest bag must be gate checked. Once a bag/case is checked, there are no guarantees. Plus, if you are visiting that many places, it may get to be a pain to drag it around and there's always a risk of it being stolen or accidently left somewhere.
Also, more practically, unless you are staying with understanding family or friends with thick walls, he's not likely to find anywhere to practice. Hotels and B&B's will probably not permit practice - think thin walls and courtesy to other guests.
A month's break is not going to hurt him - and it might be a good thing to step away for awhile. Even professional musicians, dancers and athletes take time off!
Kate
Posted by
Scotland
505 posts
Addendum - Easy Jet will class the instrument as his ONE carryone (Easy Jet has not gone back to two bags) and so he'd have to check everything else. And EasyJet not only has a low checked bag weight limit (15kg?), but also charges per checked bag. Ouch.
Kate
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
Good for your son ! Every musician gets their photo taken on Abbey Road.
The only issue you may have is with EasyJet. They will class the sax as hand luggage and all your son's other stuff will have to go in the hold ( at a cost ).
P.S. We don't call it a crosswalk, we call it a Zebra Crossing.
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Kevin,
When in or near the Zebra Crossings, just be certain everyone understands from which directions come the motorcars ... p.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
My family plays guitar (me), piano/keyboards/bells (oldest daughter), sax (oldest son) and violin (youngest son). My youngest daughter will pick an instrument by next year.
I wouldn't bring any of them on a trip (instruments not the kids). First because I hate lugging them around (just like carrying a big camera, lenses, etc.); but also because I would be concerned about damage to the instrument. Anyone who has traveled in a band knows travel and weather age your instruments quickly.
I purchased a recorder in Japan and a tin whistle in Ireland to have "carry-on"/camping instruments that would be convenient for travel and cheap to replace if lost or destroyed.
I really like the picture idea. Might I suggest finding a nearby music store and asking for a loan or very short term rental for the occasion. If he normally plays baritone sax, that would allow him to use his instrument of choice.
I second looking both ways before leaving the curb.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
If it is important to him take it. If he will be sad and missing the time he spends with it take it. Everyone travels to find different things. Travel should never be devoid of the things that move us.I have travelled with my flute, (checked in my backpack) and never regretted it. Not only was it a way to connect with other muscians in pubs, by jamming, I also did some busking now and then. Not only is busking more popular abroad it was a great experience, unique way to meet people, (a great way to practice) and make a little cash.
Ok, I know a flute is smaller than a saxaphone but airlines know how to handle these things. If you son reads/contributes on a musicians' forrum they may be able to provide some more specific advice. (If not it is easy to google and find some forums).
I wouldn't worry too much of where to practice. I have stayed in hotels with practicing musicians, and been one, and never heard complaints.
What a great opportunity for your son, just be thankful he doesn't play the Tuba.
Note: all my experience was before the recent luggage limit laws
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
We purchased a violin in Mittenwald several years ago during the first part of our trip. Therefore we had to carry it with us wherever we went including carrying it WITH us as we toured Dachau. I think I can justify carrying an instrument around if you purchased it there and are taking it home. However, personally, I wouldn't take an instrument there and back just because I liked playing it. Way too much hassle especially for a whole month.
Also, you won't be able to play it in hotels and on trains because it's just too much noise.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
Saxophones are loud. I guess when you are staying with your musician friends he will get a chance to play, but I don't think he will get to play it at hotels without a lot of complaining by other guests. If you are spending the majority of times at friends homes and they don't mind him playing then it might be worth him taking it. My nephew play tenor sax and I bought him a well padded soft case with a shoulder strap. He as never had any problem with that case. I found it in the Lyons music catalogue and gave it to him as his Christmas present a few years back. He now plays in a wedding band and uses that case. He also takes it as his carry on luggage when he flies to visit his parents in Florida. I play the cello and have never had the desire to take it on any of my vacations. I did take it to the beach one summer when I was practicing for my senior recital in college. One of the neighbors called the police to complain and that was the end of my that. There is so much to see and do when you travel in Europe. At 16 he might just be determined to have his picture taken with it like you mentioned in different places and want to show off his talent to the musician friends you are visiting. He probably identifies himself with his sax playing, because he is used to getting compliments on his playing abilities and it makes him feel good about himself. I'd also worry about the sax being stolen.
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
Get him a xaphoon....also known as a pocket sax.
It's a portable instrument with a tenor sax mouthpiece but a recorder style body. Yes, the fingering is different, but it will keep his embrouchure in shape.
The plastic one is just as good as the bamboo one and you can find them cheaper online than ordering on the xaphoon website. Just google it.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
just checked out the xaphoon web site the previous person gave you. It looks like fun. If it was Christmas, I would buy my nephew the sax player a blue one to have fun with. I just emailed him the web site Frank gave you, thanks. Found the instrument on youtube also. Here is one example. There are other example to. -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUW4M2dhPLg
Posted by
OP
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Thanks to everyone for your input. We have decided that it is probably more trouble than it is worth to take the saxophone, largely based on some of the pitfalls mentioned by respondents here. I really like the idea of the xaphoon, and I checked it out on the web. Less than $100, and his birthday is at the end of April, so with my wifes agreement, that may be a good option.
Thanks again, as I said I am not very musical, my students laugh at me because I continually call their ipods a walkman....so this has really helped.
Kevin