Questions tagged [saxophone]
One of a family of single-reed woodwind instruments with a brass body
113
questions
1
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4answers
55 views
Coming from Trumpet: Which woodwind?
I've played trumpet for 3 years, and I'm thinking about picking up a simple woodwind instrument. I think personally, either clarinet or alto sax. But please, based on what I have played, price, and ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
Saxophone upper register adjustment
As is common for a lot of instruments from the saxophone family, the upper register (notes played with the octave key pressed) on mine is a bit high (by about 10-15 cents). I practise a lot with a ...
11
votes
4answers
919 views
Playing saxophone without using the octave key
A few years back, I have noticed by accident (I forgot to press the octave key while practising one of the musical pieces) that I can play all the notes on the tenor saxophone that normally require ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Which C# note shall the tenor sax produce when nothing is pressed?
Currently, I am practicing the left hand notes on my tenor sax and I noted a sharp difference between the A and G. Using cleartune app I discovered that I jump a whole octave and I don’t produce ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Tenor sax trouble with low D and E (other notes are fine)
I recently bought a 1950's Conn Naked Lady sax and it works fine except the low D and E are, for lack of a better word, "bubbly", or unstable. It's not a leak because C and below sound fine. I've ...
28
votes
4answers
6k views
Why is the saxophone not common in classical repertoire?
Other than the fact that its relatively new compared to other orchestral instruments (e.g. the violin), why is the saxophone (any of them from the family, alto, baritone, tenor etc) not more prevalent ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views
Why does it sound so different between a 'C' and a 'D' on an Alto Saxophone? [closed]
I'm very new to Saxophone, and I wanted to learn the octaves. However, when I played, the C sounds much much lower than a D (middle d btw). I don't know what's wrong. Am I playing it incorrectly? ...
1
vote
3answers
155 views
Quick conversion between concert pitch and written notes
I've always been intrigued/annoyed/interested by the nature of transposing instruments, and specifically, recently I've been getting into discussions with my saxophonist friends. Lately, I've found ...
2
votes
2answers
859 views
Alto saxophone fingering for notes written below the staff
I am a beginner on the alto saxophone. I understand the fingering for playing notes on the staff but I do not understand the fingering for playing notes below the staff. Sometimes there are two extra ...
1
vote
3answers
66 views
Do I play my key signature for my instrument or on the paper?
If I'm auditioning for jazz for high school band and I play the flute, and my audition piece is for saxophone, do I play my key signature or the key signature on the sheet music?
11
votes
1answer
962 views
Why does C# sound extremely flat when saxophone is tuned to G?
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Saxophone articulation - interpreting symbols
I have a number of pieces that feature the following articulation symbols (highlighted in red; last bar of Andy Firth's "The Bullfrog Bounce"):
I've asked my teacher how to play them, but his ...
2
votes
5answers
500 views
What's the Standard pitch for a Saxophone and its frequency?
I am new to Saxophone and music in general.
We've been discussing the tuners applications on iOS and its pitch standards. All the applications I used had A4 = 440 Hz, but the tutor claims C4 to be ...
4
votes
2answers
76 views
How does Rainbow's End by Peter Weniger work?
This is Rainbow's End, composed by German saxophonist Peter Weniger. It first sounds like a straightforward 12-bar Blues in F, The melody sounds pretty normal, but as soon as it comes to the solos, ...
0
votes
2answers
146 views
What is a B sharp and a C double sharp?
I'm going through Larry Teal's daily studies for an alto saxophone (E-flat instrument). I'm practicing D sharp minor and I am seeing a B sharp and a C double sharp. Is B sharp a C? and the C double ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
Saxophone pearl key is down by default
I am new to saxophone and I was just learning to play my first notes when I came across the G# where it needs a certain pearl key to be pressed in order to play but I already found that key to be down ...
1
vote
3answers
124 views
Why are some alternate sax fingerings harder to play than the normal fingerings?
I've found that on my alto sax, some alternate fingerings require much more air to play than the normal fingerings. For example, A# can be played with either of these fingerings:
However, the second ...
4
votes
2answers
129 views
Practicing Jazz?
I have been playing the saxophone for about 4 years, but primarily in the style of classical music. I've always been interested in jazz saxophone, and want to learn how to actually play it. How should ...
3
votes
1answer
297 views
Clarinet Ligature on Alto Sax?
I bought a semi expensive ligature for my clarinet, and I would like to know if it is a good idea to use it on an Alto Sax. I've tried using a cheap one on my alto sax, and it seemed to work alright (...
2
votes
5answers
98 views
How can I make the individual saxophones stand out?
I am composing a Jazz Quintet. Never learned jazz theory but I know uneven rhythms are key to jazz. And saxophones are most commonly used in jazz. So I decided to compose a piece for 5 saxophones.
...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the 14 different types of saxophone?
I heard my saxophone instructor say that there are 14 sizes of saxophones. I've only heard of 4 (soprano, alto, tenor, baritome). What are the other 10 types?
1
vote
2answers
556 views
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2answers
86 views
Buying a saxophone online as a beginner
I scheduled a first lesson with a teacher (I've never played the sax before) and I plan to buy a tenor sax online.
Is there anything I need to know before I make the purchase? I was thinking of a ...
3
votes
5answers
105 views
Practicing including riffs into improv?
I can learn riffs pretty easily, but I have a hard time remembering to work them into my improv. Do you have any good techniques/tips?
2
votes
2answers
481 views
Is my soprano saxophone poor or am I doing something wrong?
I have just aquired a soprano saxophone for the first time. Previously I have only played alto and baritone, never a soprano before.
Something I am encountering which I have never before - and it is ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Xaphoon: Which key, C or Bb?
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
246 views
How to articulate on a Saxophone with the mouthpiece upside down?
I'm trying to learn to play the saxophone with the mouthpiece upside down because of nerve damage in my lower lip and roots of my lower teeth.
Tonguing is difficult. What are some suggestions? Are ...
6
votes
4answers
693 views
Saxophone and Dentures
Some years ago I was a pretty hot alto player but the guitar was always my first instrument and I have been a busy pro for much of my working life. I had to drop the horn.
Now I am thinking of ...
0
votes
3answers
338 views
What's the best technique to sight read fast big band scores?
I've recently joined a big band. I play second alto saxophone. I do well enough when playing the slower pieces. But I struggle to read the quicker swing pieces. What's the best technique to play ...
3
votes
2answers
153 views
How to get a better altissimo tone?
I'm currently practicing my overtone series and trying to get a play some altissimo. Right now, I've been able to play up to a D7 using Sigurd Rascher's Top Tones for the Saxophone, but the notes are ...
0
votes
3answers
4k views
Should I prefer Saxophone or Trumpet? [closed]
i am a piano player for 5 or 6 years. My music ear (i don't know is this the right mean in English) is fine. And now, i want to study to my second instrument. Many years, i've wanted saxophone but in ...
5
votes
5answers
346 views
Do woodwind reeds (Sax, clarinet, etc) need break in to play better?
I was curious if woodwind reeds need a break in period to meld to the mouthpiece. I am learning saxophone and it seems the longer I use the same reed, it seems to play better.
4
votes
1answer
193 views
How can I tune a saxophone or other transposing instrument using a piano? [duplicate]
I am new to sax, but was a B♭ clarinet player in high-school band (years ago); now I play some guitar and piano. I just got an inexpensive soprano sax (Mendini). Since it is a B♭ instrument, help me ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Coudet Clarinet and Transitioning From Flute/Alto Sax
What is a "Coudet Clarinet"? I'm a flute/Alto Sax player and was wonder if this is different from a "Clarinet" also how will the transition be?
0
votes
2answers
525 views
Backing track chords Eb saxophone [duplicate]
How to transpose the chords from this backing track from guitar to saxophone?
I tried the chords from the video, but they do not fit the alto sax. Do I just have to ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Why is this tremolo here instead of a trill?
In my copy of Jacques Ibert's Concertino da Camera, I have this curious marking:
In the first bar after 23, there seems to be a tremolo from a C# to a B. This shows up multiple times—why isn't this ...
1
vote
1answer
416 views
Alto Saxophone: spit on sides of mouthpiece?
I have been playing the alto sax for a few years now, and this problem has come up a lot recently.
Every time I play a long piece, spit starts foaming on the sides of my mouthpiece, right next to the ...
1
vote
1answer
270 views
Trying to figure out what sax, trumpet & french horn scales would be used to jam with a blues backing track in key of xx?
I will apologize in advance for my lack of music theory. I play guitar but self taught with no real theory. My son has been playing alto saxophone for about 6 months and has come along quite nice. ...
5
votes
3answers
649 views
What kind of saxophone is better to start learning?
I would like to start learning to play saxophone. I know there are many different ones but I am not sure whether should I start with soprano, alto, tenor or which other.
Can you recognize and say ...
2
votes
1answer
112 views
Plausible Instrument Partsfor Alto Sax to Play
I'm looking for music for my duet (flute & alto saxophone), but there is not a whole lot of music written for alto saxophone and even less for a duet. In terms of range and technique, what are ...
6
votes
5answers
737 views
Why don't we see jazz music played on the church organ?
I'm just curious as to what about let's say a saxophone makes it very well suited to jazz music and what about the church organ makes it unsuitable for jazz music.
Is there something innate to the ...
2
votes
1answer
548 views
Practicing Jazz on Alto Saxophone
A little bit of background: I have been playing alto saxophone for about 15 years now and played in various bands. When I started, I had weekly appointments with a teacher and that was absolutely cool....
10
votes
1answer
625 views
N.V. Meaning in Jazz
I play in a big band.
One arrangement we play has "N.V." In quite a lot of the parts. Particularly in trombone and saxophone parts.
Any ideas what it might mean?
0
votes
2answers
611 views
How do I practice overtones on the saxophone?
I've read through What are the best techniques to play overtones in the saxophone? but I can't seem to move forward. I've gotten to the point where I can play the first harmonic, as in an octave above,...
13
votes
4answers
4k views
Is “horns” a common term to describe saxophones?
Im attending a jazz performance that promoted a horn section. It is two saxophones. I was expecting trumpets or related siblings. Did I misunderstand the use of the term?
4
votes
4answers
195 views
Can't stop thinking about fingers
This is a problem I think I have always had, it has just become more apparent to me after a recent OCD diagnosis.
I can't stop thinking about my fingers, especially when playing fast or difficult ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I go about playing 32nd notes?
I'm an intermediate alto saxophone player and I'm currently learning to play Milhaud's Scaramouche, III - Brazileira. The problem is the last sequence of 16th and 32nd notes which are extremely hard ...
1
vote
2answers
528 views
How hard would it be to switch from a bass clarinet to a soprano sax?
I am currently playing a bass clarinet in my concert band, but my parents want me to switch to a "lighter" instrument. I looked through different options, and saw the soprano saxophone. If I were to ...
10
votes
2answers
758 views
What are these dots above a note?
I was going through some jazz music and I encountered these four dots above a note leading into an improv solo:
What do they mean? Is it a doit, or does it signify going up in the following solo? ...
1
vote
4answers
550 views
Playing tenor sax is easy for me. Is a clarinet really that hard?
I have a hard time getting notes out of my Artley clarinet. The guy who worked on it and inspected it (I bought it from a friend) said it's a good instrument, and he's done great work on my sax so I ...
