yes of course Michael, everybody’s different sax player or not. funny a guy selling you reeds is asking this. maybe he was hoping to sell you a “pro-level horn”.
Starting out most of us simply want to be able to play the thing. Loving the sound of the instrument so much, taking a few years to be able to play it, man, that’s a great accomplishment and feeling.
When starting out as a teenager I didn’t even consider playing music was an option since everyone around me was learning a trade. when I realized a little later, ya sure, I started getting much more focused and practiced more after realizing that maybe I could make my living just with this instrument I love to play so much.
It worked out somewhat for me but I’d never encourage anyone to go that direction…it’s hard and you need a lot of luck and breaks no matter how good you are.
Stan Getz, the well-known saxophonist was asked a similar question in an interview once regarding what advice would you give to a younger person hoping to get into the game professionally, his response was; if you have a 2nd option then go for that 2nd option, not the pro sax player route. why? because one should only go for the 1st option when there is no 2nd option. It’s like that old saying, a musician, actor, artist etc should have something to “fall back on”. it’s when you have nothing to fall back on that you have the best chance to make it happen.

lol – everyone has their reasons for playing the Sax! Don’t judge someone till you’ve walked in their shoes!
My reason & i’d love to hear other peoples reasons as well!
At 56 i’m playing the Sax cause i luv playin the Sax!
At my time of life i’ve got no interest in going round clubs & playing the Sax and trying to become the next kid on the block!
But seriously there is a deeper reason – i wan’t a hobby that is fun, interesting & challenging – to keep my mind active and stop me from going insane!
Lots of people my age do crosswords etc.. to keep there mind active! Learning music theory is one way for me to keep mentally active, the breathing must have some benifits as well as i’ve noticed my singing has improved since i took up the sax!
Anything that stops me from becoming a couch potato!
The grade 2 certificate i’ve got i value more than any of my educational certificates – all the other stuff i’ve achieved in life i had to do not because i wanted to do them.