After over 15 years of paid performance, my advice to the young saxophonist is to stay in the game. Keep involved regardless of wht level. When this picture was taken, I was 17 and playing in a funk band. I wasn’t sure where the saxophone would take me. I knew I enjoyed it and I tried to practice a few hours every day.
Now the saxophone pays all of my bills. It’s my only job: tonight I’ll perform jazz at a wedding reception then reggae at a club. Tomorrow I’m performing in the street for a city gallery stroll with a singer and my backing tracks. The next day I’m performing at a Mardi-Gras themed company party with my 7-piece band. Next week I’m performing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at wedding receptions. This takes care of me and my family (wife and two kids). I had no idea when I was 17 that it could do this.
Lesson for today: stay in the game. Keep involved however minimally, don’t let your instrument collect dust. Even if it’s just taking it out for 15 minutes, try to play every day, no matter how you feel about it.