Timeline

• Learning the basics (names of the notes, basic scale fingerings and reading music) of the tenor sax can take at least a year, depending on the amount of practice you can devote to the instrument. Becoming a professional level player can take between five and 15 years or more.
  
  

Tone

• Beginning to develop a warm-sounding tone on the tenor sax can take between one and two years with a few minutes of practice time dedicated to tone each day. Developing, and maintaining, a professional-sounding tone is something that most saxophonists work on their entire careers.
  
  

Technique

• Technique, such as intonation and finger dexterity, can take as much time to learn as tone development. While beginning to develop these items may only take months or a few years, constant practice is needed to perfect and maintain them over time.
  
  

Repertoire

• Tenor sax players can learn a few basic songs in a matter of days after they first pick up the instrument, while learning longer classical and jazz pieces may take weeks or months to perfect.
  
  

Improvisation

• If you are interested in playing jazz on the tenor sax, it may take six months to a year or more of practice before you feel comfortable improvising on a jazz song in a concert or recital. You will first need to learn a few basic scales and how they relate to chord changes; after that it is a matter of practicing improvising as part of your daily routine.
  
  

Ensemble Playing

• Tenor sax players can begin playing in a jazz big band or small combo, or a classical orchestra or concert style band, after they have developed their ability to read music, as well as intonation and technique.