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I think for your purposes you'll be able to do what you want with it after you learn the mouth, and fingers position.

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that's what I was thinking too I hope that'll be enough..

oh and if I had a room (soundproof) for a drumkit I would have bought one already /dream mode 'some day... some day... /dream mode

stefan said:

I'm thinking of buying a second hand saxophone and get some lessons because I like to broaden my musical horizon from guitar and percussion instruments.

A few questions: is it a difficult instrument? does it take years to cover the basics or will I be able to get a reasonably good sound in a few months?

I don't read notes (well I can figure it out, but can't really read smoothly. Is reading notes nescessary? (I don't want to play existing pieces really, besides what is needed to practice the basics)

hope someone here can answer my questions

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Awesome! Sax is great, I have been playing for 7 years, have classical and jazz training, as well have trained at Berklee (boston) and traveled the scene with a few corps, let me fill you in a little on this great instrument!

First, have you decided on a range of sax yet? Sopranno, Alto, Tenor, Baritone? I would highly recommend starting out with Alto or tenor, the mouth piece is not to bad in terms of size, and should give you a good basis to learn amature ( how you hold and use the mouthpiece with the reed in your mouth). 


Do you have any experience with woodwinds? I.e. reeded instruments? 

If not, the fingering may be akward at first, but once applied at the beginning, it will apply to most every sax in the family, as well as be very similar to other woodwind varieties (.i.e. clarinet, oboe, etc.)

As far as music concerns, in order to master this instrument, learn music. You say you have prior experience with guitar and percussion? Nows the time to apply all of that to music on a staff....Trust me, it will make things VERY easy for you in the long run, if you just go ahead and learn the notes, learn to read notes on a staff, learn times signatures, learn keys, and depending on the style of sax you wish to play, you wont be able to learn much without this fundamental knowledge. Once you grasp it however, you'll have a plethora of arrangments at your disposal.

Just my 2 cents