Misc. sax... Saxophone Glossary

Saxophones | Mouthpieces | Reeds | Miscellaneous music

Saxophones​

Action​

How the keys feel to the player. This could include the height of the keys, smoothness of the movement, the amount of springiness etc. Not quite the same as ergonomics which often refers to the inherent position and angle of the keywork as part of a saxophone design.

Adderley trill​

Saxophone effect using tremolo using high C#, D D# - E. Used mainly in R&B and jazz. How to play the Adderley trill.

Articulated G#​

Mechanism that allows lower keys to be operated while still holding the G# key (see tabbed G#)

Alternative fingerings​

See false fingerings.

Altissimo​

The technique of playing high notes not using the instrument's standard keys in the higher range. This enables the player to play notes above high E/F. High E and F often have standard and altissimo fingerings (on modern horns).

Aux F (Front F)​

A key which allows an alternative fingering for top F. This makes it easier some passages, e.g. going from top C to top F and back.

Bell​

The flared bell shaped part of a saxophone.

Body​

The main (straight but conical) part of the saxophone where most of the keys are.

Bow​

The U-shaped part at the bottom of the instrument that connects the body to the bell. A likely place to get dings.

Chu Berry (saxophone)​

Nickname for the Conn New Wonder II. The tenor player Chu Berry actually played a later (Transitional) model.

Crook (aka neck)​

The curved part with cork on the end which the mouthpiece fits onto. The other end of the neck fits into the body via a tenon. Often not removable on sopranos or other straight saxophones.

Ding​

A dent in the saxophone.

Ergonomics​

Design of the keywork in relation to how it feels to the player and how easy it is to reach and move with your fingers.

Embouchure​

What you do with your mouth, lips, teeth and facial muscles to play the saxophone. Often mis-spelt as Embrasure which is kind of large recessed window reveal you see on castles.

False fingerings​

An alternative fingering for a note that sounds different either tonally or with a slight pitch variation. Alternating the two can be used for an effect.

Fluttertongue​

A fluttering effect creating by your tongue as if rolling the syllable "r" - "rrrrr". How to fluttertongue.

Front F​

See Aux F key.

Growl​

Singing or humming while playing a note to create a growling sound due to the disturbance of the sound wave causing distortion. How to growl on the saxophone.

Key cups​

The circular parts that hold the pads.

Key Touches​

Where your fingers go on the keys. This refers to the shape metal on the ends of levers rather than the pearls on the actual key cups. On older instruments these were often spatial shaped but now are often more streamlined, for better ergonomics. Although there are some levers with pearls.

Leak​

This means there is not an airtight seal between the pad and tone hole. It can cause increased difficulty in getting notes to sound easily and possibly squeaks.

Leak-light​

A small electric bulb which can be used to detect leaks. Works well in a darkened room but may not detect all leaks, e.g. a leak at the tenon.

Naked Lady​

Nickname for the Conn M series saxophones introduced in 1935 (named due to the engraving of a naked lady on the bell).

Neck (aka crook)​

The curved part which the mouthpiece fits onto. Fits into the body via a tenon and receiver. Often not removable on sopranos or other straight saxophones.

Octave pips​

The (usually two) holes on the neck and high up on the body which are used for venting. This helps the player to player an octave higher In then upper register) as it tends to cause the first overtone to play.

Overtones​

No idea how to succinctly define these.....More on overtones.

Pads​

The (usually) leather covered felt pads which fit into the key cups and close down over the tone holes to create a (hopefully) airtight seal.

Padsaver​

Long fluffy thing that fits down the saxophone to clean/dry the pads

Palm keys​

The set of top keys operated by then palm of the left hand.

Palm key risers​

Material (rubber, cork etc) added to build up the palm keys by some players who find it easier to play that way.

Pants guard​

shape plate covering the key mechanism between body and bell. This is to protect ones apparel (e.g. pants, trousers, skirt, kilt etc.) from being snagged or worn. See trouser guard

Pearls​

Discs made of mother of pearl, abalone or plastic fitted to key cups or levers for the fingers to touch.

Pinky table (aka cluster)​

The set of keys operated by the left hand pinky finger = G# | C# | B | B♭. Right hand pinky table = C | E♭.

Pulldown​

This refers to what happens if a neck has gradually (or suddenly) taken on more of a bend due to being pulled on. Theoretically even if only mild it could have an effect on the sound or intonation of the instrument.

Purple Logo​

Refers to a Yamaha 61 or very early 62 or 32 model saxophone. These had the Yamaha logo stencilled on the bell in a purpl(ish) colour. Believed by some aficionados to have magical properties. Later models had a stamped logo on the bell.

Ralacquer (relac)​

Verb: to remove and replace the saxophone's lacquer. Noun: a saxophone that has been relacquered. Collectors consider these to be inferior to original finish.

Register​

The range of notes defined by their pitch based on the overtones. The lower register refers to the fundamental, upper register refers to the first overtone an octave higher.

Sidekeys​

The keys on the right hand side (from the player's perspective). Top E , side C and side B♭

Slap tongue/Smack tongue​

An explosive and percussive articulation created by covering the reed with your tongue and suddenly releasing it. It can be used either with a pitched note or to sound a more or less unpatched percussive slap sound. How to slaptongue.

Springs​

Extremely pointy things that stab you viciously when you attempt to dismantle your saxophone. The longer ago you had a tetanus jab the more likely a spring will get you.

Squeak​

A sound you get when there is something wrong, e.g. a leak, or a problem with reed or mouthpiece. Uncontrolled altissimo.

Stack​

A set of connected keys. There is a left-hand stack (G | A | B | and a right-hand stack D | E | F

Subtone​

A tone characterised by a predominance of lower overtones to create a soft warm sound. Often associated with ballad playing.

Swage​

(Pronounced "swedge) Use a special tool to compress key barrels so the action is to sloppy and loose.

Tabbed G#​

Mechanism that allows the C# pinky key to operate both G# and C#.

Tenon and tenon receiver​

The tenon is cylindrical part at the end of the the neck which fits into the body via the tenon receiver. Which receives the tenon and holds it in place with a screw.

Texas Wobble​

An effect that causes a wide shake on B♭. Especially the great Texas tenor players such as Illinois Jacket and Arnott Cobb. See the Texas Wobble

Tone holes​

The holes in the saxophone which are opened and closed by the pads to change the pitch.

Transitional (aka "Tranny")​

Nickname for the later Conn New Wonder II models 1931 - 35 that started to be produced with some of features of the subsequent xM series model. (see Naked Lady)

Trouser guard​

shape plate covering the key mechanism between body and bell. This is to protect ones apparel from being snagged or worn. See pants guard

Underslung​

This means the octave pip and octave key mechanism are underneath the neck as opposed to being more conventionally on top.

Saxophones | Mouthpieces | Reeds | Miscellaneous music

Mouthpieces​

Baffle​

The part between the tip and the chamber. This is sometimes built up to provide a brighter sound

Beak​

The part of the mouthpiece that the upper teeth or lip touch.

Bore​

The inside of the back of the mouthpiece (shank) that fits over the neck cork.

Break point​

The point where the reed separates from the mouthpiece rails. This may not be exactly where the facing curve starts as reeds generally bend a bit.

Chamber​

The main "hollow" part of the mouthpiece between the baffle and the throat/bore.

Facing curve (aka lay)​

The curve of the rails. This curve away from the table allows the reed to vibrate.

Ligature​

Device which holds the reed onto the mouthpiece.

Shank​

The tubular part of the mouthpiece which fits onto the saxophone neck.

Side walls​

The walls of the front part of the mouthpiece, between the baffle and side rails.

Table​

The flat part which the reeds sits on.

Throat​

Between the chamber and the bore. It may or may not be narrower or wider.

Tip​

The pointy end.

Tip opening​

Distance between the tip of the reed and tip of the mouthpiece. (Assuming as flat reed)

Window​

The open part of the mouthpiece between the two side rails and between the tip and table.

---

Mouthpiece images:​

Cross section:

Reeds​

Reed​

A thin piece of material made from either cane (which is grass not wood) or plastic. This is held against the mouthpiece table by a ligature and tends to squeak when blown. But our life's work is to convert the squeak into music.

Arc​

The curve of the top of the reed

Heart​

Thicker middle section of the cut part

Heel​

back of the reed

Filed​

The bark has been filed where the vamp starts

Rail​

The sides of the vamp

Side​

The outer edge of the vamp

Table​

The underside of the reed which fits against the mouthpiece table.

Unfiled​

The bark is not filed where the vamp starts

Vamp​

The vibrating part of the reed where the bark is exposed.

Saxophones | Mouthpieces | Reeds | Miscellaneous music

Miscellaneous music​

NB: this is just the commonest terms we could think of. We've left out all the standard classical music theory and the advanced jazz theory stuff as it's so well covered elsewhere. So this is mostly pop/jazz stuff that should be useful for beginners in jazz, pop, rock, etc.

12 Bar (blues)​

A chord progression prevalent in blues, rock& roll, r&b. very basic form using three chords, e.g.

16 bar (blues)​

16 bar variation of a 12 bar.

Backbeat​

Repeated emphasis on beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time. Often played on snare drum or rhythm guitar (see chop).

Breakdown​

Section of a piece where everyone stops except one instrument and the others come in one by one.

Bridge​

1. In traditional 32 bar AABA format, bridge means the B section. aka middle 8. Often with contrasting harmonic structure.
2. In pop, rock, folk etc. it can also be a transitional section. Often linking two other sections, e.g.between a verse and a chorus.

Chop​

A rhythm guitar technique where a staccato chord is played on the backbeat.

Chops​

A player's technical ability.

Chorus​

1. In traditional /mainstream jazz. Repeat of the form (e.g.AABA) while improvising, as in "she payed 290 choruses of I Got Rhythm
2. Pop, folk etc. Section of a song with words that are always the same. See hook.

Click track​

A metronomic beat used for a band or individual musician to play in time with. Originally a "click" sound but can often be any other kind of percussion sound.

Compression​

Studio or live sound technique that involves levelling out the dynamics, often with the aim of making it able to be louder in the mix.

Copyright​

The right to copy and publish a piece of music.

Dynamics​

1. Variation in loudness or quietness of playing.
2. Marking on sheets music to note the above.

EQ (Equalization)​

Studio or live sound technique where the tone of an instrument is changed. Originally used in broadcast to make up for any degradation in transmission, to make the finished sound equal the source.

Head​

In jazz parlance the head is the melody. So (traditionally) a band may play the head, followed by improvised choruses, and then the head again. Unless it is freeform jazz.

Head arrangement​

A band arrangement that is often made up on the spot without notation.

Hook​

A short memorable phrase or riff that is designed to catch the ear of the listener. It can be instrumental or vocal.

Intro​

An instrumental passage at the beginning of a piece of music.

Leadsheet​

Sheet music containing the bare elements, e.g. melody line, chord symbols and lyrics.

Lick​

A small nut perfectly form ed musical phrase used when improvising (see riffs, patterns)

Mastering​

Processing a final studio mix ready for mechanical reproduction or distribution. Can involve EQ and compression.

Mixing​

Studio or Live sound technique where instruments are rebalanced and effects or tonal changes (EQ) added.

Modulation​

A key change that happens during the song.

Middle 8​

See Bridge

Note values​

The length of a note. See below.

Pattern​

A musical phrase used when improvising. Implies a mathematical pattern, e.g. (scale notes) 1235 2346.

Riff​

A repeated rhythmic phrases, often used as a backing. Often used (spontaneously) when making up a head arrangement.

Section​

1. A group of players in a band who play a specific type of instrument, e.g. saxophone section, rhythm section, brass section. Also horn section to mean a combination of saxophones and brass.
2. A fixed set of measures within a piece of music with a harmonica structure. Different sections in a piece are referred to by capital letter names such as A section, B section. (link to more examples...)

Slapping​

1. Bass guitar technique often used in funk playing that involves hitting the strings with the side of thumb to create a percussive sound as the string hits the fretboard.
2. Double bass technique as above used in early trad jazz rockabilly. An alternative is to pull thew string and erase so it hits the fingerboard.

Tip jar​

Probably next month's wages.

Transposition​

1. Altering the key of a piece of music. This is often done so that it fits the range of a vocalist better
2. Changing the key of a piece of music for the benefit of a transposing instrument, either by notation or by ear.

Transposing instrument.​

An instrument whose notes are written in a different key or pitch to which they sound. e.g. alto saxophone in E♭ sounds an E♭ when concert C is written. A guitar is written one octave higher than it sounds. Transposing for saxophone.

Outro​

A passage at the end of a tune, often repeated to a faded on recorded music. e.g. Hey Jude.

Verse​

1. In (traditional) show tunes or 32 bar standards, a section (with words) that comes at the very beginning.
2. Pop, folk etc. a section of a song that repeats usually each time with different words to tell a narrative.

Walking​

A type of bass line where the player predominantly plays 1/4 notes.

View attachment 25057

That's enough for now!