m
Really great idea and perfect introduction to 'that' sound.
Im a complete beginner to any reed instrument but I saw the Xaphoon on Thomann and thought 'For just over E70 I could get sax sounds!?!? Wow!'
As a total novice I was very surprised to get nice low sax type tones from the Xaphoon after 20-30mins or so of practice. Im somewhat used to the tin whistle and while they are very, very different, conceptually in my mind there are some similarities that make the Xaphoon not completely alien to me.
It came with the 2.5 reed which I immediately (and unintentionally) broke so Im glad of the advice from the other reviewers to get some 1.5 strength reeds. This made it easier for me to get a sound although I still have to work on my fingering and mouth shape... but its not going as bad as I expected! Its quite fun to have access to these type of sounds for this kind of price. It allows you to dip your toe into this world without investing in a full on saxophone. I appreciate it!
To echo others - get some spare 1.5 reeds. It is a little bit of a shame the finish is as rough as it is with the seams from the mold easily viewable. And a carry bag/cloth pocket would have been wonderful - its something Im going to have to source elsewhere.
All in all Im delighted to be trying out an new instrument, a new way of making sounds and something to practice and test myself with for such a great price. Im sure I need to spend many, many more hours with it bt the few I have so far have been a lot of fun.
If your considering it - its an easy one to recommend!
As a total novice I was very surprised to get nice low sax type tones from the Xaphoon after 20-30mins or so of practice. Im somewhat used to the tin whistle and while they are very, very different, conceptually in my mind there are some similarities that make the Xaphoon not completely alien to me.
It came with the 2.5 reed which I immediately (and unintentionally) broke so Im glad of the advice from the other reviewers to get some 1.5 strength reeds. This made it easier for me to get a sound although I still have to work on my fingering and mouth shape... but its not going as bad as I expected! Its quite fun to have access to these type of sounds for this kind of price. It allows you to dip your toe into this world without investing in a full on saxophone. I appreciate it!
To echo others - get some spare 1.5 reeds. It is a little bit of a shame the finish is as rough as it is with the seams from the mold easily viewable. And a carry bag/cloth pocket would have been wonderful - its something Im going to have to source elsewhere.
All in all Im delighted to be trying out an new instrument, a new way of making sounds and something to practice and test myself with for such a great price. Im sure I need to spend many, many more hours with it bt the few I have so far have been a lot of fun.
If your considering it - its an easy one to recommend!
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m
Fantastic little instrument
I was always curious how playing the sax feels, and I like its sound very much. So, without breaking the bank to get a sax which I may or may not use, I got a Xaphoon.
It's a very interesting instrument. I like the fact that it's very small and unpretentious, virtually maintenance free. Despite its size, it produces a nice full sound.
I also bought a 1.5 rico royal reed, as some have recommended for beginners. I will experiment after I become reasonably adept to see if I like that better than the original 2.5 reed.
I only rated it 4 stars for quality, because on the sides you can see the lines where the plastic was molded. However, that does not influence the playing or comfort, since you never touch that area during playing. So the finish isn't anything to write home about, but then again, you get the instrument for playing, and that it does very well.
Pros: small, nice full sound, relatively easy to learn, lots of fun, moderately priced compared to sax/clarinet;
Cons: the finish feels a little cheap (unlike 10e Yamaha recorder), it could've included a cloth bag (like aforementioned recorder).
It's a very interesting instrument. I like the fact that it's very small and unpretentious, virtually maintenance free. Despite its size, it produces a nice full sound.
I also bought a 1.5 rico royal reed, as some have recommended for beginners. I will experiment after I become reasonably adept to see if I like that better than the original 2.5 reed.
I only rated it 4 stars for quality, because on the sides you can see the lines where the plastic was molded. However, that does not influence the playing or comfort, since you never touch that area during playing. So the finish isn't anything to write home about, but then again, you get the instrument for playing, and that it does very well.
Pros: small, nice full sound, relatively easy to learn, lots of fun, moderately priced compared to sax/clarinet;
Cons: the finish feels a little cheap (unlike 10e Yamaha recorder), it could've included a cloth bag (like aforementioned recorder).
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A
An advice for beginners
Strong sounding instrument especially in the low range. The notes above F in the second octave are quite hard to play consistently so if you intend to play in the high register this may not be the right instrument for you.
If you haven't played a sax or clarinet before I suggest that you buy a Rico Royal 1 reed for Tenor Sax to help you get some decent notes out of this instrument. The Xaphoon comes with a 2,5 reed and to me it was very difficult to make a good sound from this reed. But with the softer reed you may have fun from the beginning and avoid many frustrations.
If you haven't played a sax or clarinet before I suggest that you buy a Rico Royal 1 reed for Tenor Sax to help you get some decent notes out of this instrument. The Xaphoon comes with a 2,5 reed and to me it was very difficult to make a good sound from this reed. But with the softer reed you may have fun from the beginning and avoid many frustrations.
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S
A travel sax
My wife loves the gift. I'm sure I will grow to love it after she has practised a little more. Perfect for on the go.
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Sn
Hard and uncomfortable to play
I did read some reviews noting the negative aspects about this product that I have now experienced myself, prior to buying it.
But I thought I should give it a go.
But my experience is that the fingering is quite difficult and awkward, and the mouthpiece is very big and uncomfortable to put in my mouth compared to a regular saxophone mouthpiece.
I wonder if the fingering holes could have been easier to cover if there was a kind of rubber along the edge of the holes.
And why can't the mouthpiece be the same sleek shape as a regular saxophone mouthpiece?
Maybe I just need to give it some more work, but it being so difficult and uncomfortable does not compel me to do so.
But I thought I should give it a go.
But my experience is that the fingering is quite difficult and awkward, and the mouthpiece is very big and uncomfortable to put in my mouth compared to a regular saxophone mouthpiece.
I wonder if the fingering holes could have been easier to cover if there was a kind of rubber along the edge of the holes.
And why can't the mouthpiece be the same sleek shape as a regular saxophone mouthpiece?
Maybe I just need to give it some more work, but it being so difficult and uncomfortable does not compel me to do so.
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T
A fun piece of kit
This is a fun instrument to play, even though the fingering takes a bit of getting used to.
It comes supplied with a reed, though I found it way too hard and swapped it for one of my own tenor sax reeds.
The sound is very distinct but not unpleasant and with the right style of music can provide the highlight of a set.
It comes supplied with a reed, though I found it way too hard and swapped it for one of my own tenor sax reeds.
The sound is very distinct but not unpleasant and with the right style of music can provide the highlight of a set.
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P
No similar instrument to compare but fave me a satisfying feeling with many hours of practicing.
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f
Fun and and a nice warm sound
This instrument is a lot of fun. The reed I received with the instrument was chipped, but once I replaced it, it has a really nice warm sound! The C# is a bit difficult to ring out probably and the overtones don't sound all that great. But super fun regardless.
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s
May not meet the expectations
Pros:
Good response, rigid build.
Cons:
Not accurately tuned
Good response, rigid build.
Cons:
Not accurately tuned
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t
Amazing thing
I have never tried a reed instrument before Xaphoon and thought that it could be a good introduction. And it was! It took me about a week to get used to playing on it, but once I felt a little more confident, it became so much fun. The sound is amazingly strong and pleasant. You can take it everywhere you go. The build quality is very good.
It comes with a 2.5 tenor reed which I swapped for a 1.5: it's just easier to learn how to blow through a mouthpiece this way.
I would recommend Xaphoon to all the musicians who are fascinated by woodwinds, but not sure where to start.
The one and only thing I didn't like was the state in which it was delivered: all covered in dust.
Don't forget to get something to clean it on the inside!
It comes with a 2.5 tenor reed which I swapped for a 1.5: it's just easier to learn how to blow through a mouthpiece this way.
I would recommend Xaphoon to all the musicians who are fascinated by woodwinds, but not sure where to start.
The one and only thing I didn't like was the state in which it was delivered: all covered in dust.
Don't forget to get something to clean it on the inside!
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