Xaphoon: Which key, C or Bb?

Question

I have been thinking about buying a xaphoon for a while. I have no experience with wind instruments of any kind (well, I can play the sweetflute) so I don't know whether to pick the C key or the Bb key for the xaphoon.

I guess that the C xaphoon would be more suitable to play pop/rock/popular melodies and songs but on the other hand, perhaps the Bb xaphoon would sound better when playing 'more saxophongy stuff' (some jazz standars or even some clasical pieces...) which would take the most out of the instrument since the xaphoon is kind of a pocket sax/clarinet (not my words). What are the differences between the two that I should consider in making my choice?

Answer 1

If you are going to play from dots, there are two options. The C xaphoon (like any C instrument) will play in the correct key for any music written for piano, guitar and such like. So if there's a piece in, say, F, you play it as writ, it comes out at concert pitch.

The Bb instrument will be good if you wish to play stuff written for Bb instruments - tenor sax, trumpet, which will then translate if you play what's written, into the correct pitch to match the rest of the band. For example, a song in F would be written for a Bb instrument in key G, to compensate.

If you purely want to play by yourself, it won't make a lot of difference, although the lower the key,(for the wont of a better expression), the richer the sound might be. Reasoning is the instrument will be slightly larger.

And, thank you for enlightening us about an instrument that I at least, hadn't heard of before.

EDIT: right now, I'm trying to ascertain whether there is any fine tuning, and also whether they're tuned to concert A=440Hz, probably an important factor if there's no fine tuning, depending where in the world it gets played with others.

Answer 2

Another factor which hasn't been mentioned is that the xaphoon, while capable of playing chromatically (all twelve tones) is much easier to play in its home key. You have to do a fair amount of lip work to get the accidentals (notes outside the home key) to sound in tune. So it would help if you knew what keys you're more likely to be playing in- flatter keys will be easier on the Bb, sharper keys on the C instrument.

Answer 3

I think the answer depends on your needs and wants. some things to consider:

Bamboo is available in "keys of C, Bb, D, and low G" Plastic is available "in the key of "C," and in many colors"

1. the "pocket" (plastic) instrument is much cheaper (around half the price)
2. plastic may be more durable and less susceptible to humidity and other natural factors.
3. you say you play the sweet flute (which is the same as a recorder, i think). if you play a soprano which is played in C, then i would recommend going with C unless you want to learn an instrument in a different key. check out the fingering charts to see if it matches up.
4. If you only want to play by yourself (without other musicians or recordings) then the key doesn't really matter. but as Tim points out in a comment above, your desire to not play with others may change over time.