I had a couple of aces in my hand; 2 older brothers that were capable of picking up virtually any instrument and learn it thus teaching my what to do.  Second, my first sax was actually a pro instrument - the Selmer Mk. VI, considered by some the finest alto sax made.  So while my competition was as technically as good as I was, or even better, their tone sucked because they had Bundy's and Conn's (student instruments).  I was never good at sight reading, but I had a really good vibrato and tone.  When I got out of the Navy and went to JC I earned a full ride on playing sax in the jazz band, both alto and bari.  Now THOSE were some fun times...fun times indeed.