Tone or Sound all for speed, tone and tongueing?!?!?!?!?!

[baritonesax]

I tend to find that there are more amateur tenor players out there daring to play in public, and as a result (and this is no disrespect to them or to the instrument - and I own two tenors to prove it) tenor can be a bit more of a cliché. It is so refreshing to hear someone rear up on their hind legs and play a good solo on alto - not least because its astringent tone is such a nice contrast to yet another woofly tenor player.

Vive la difference anyway.

 

[BigMartin]

I tend to find that there are more amateur tenor players out there daring to play in public, and as a result (and this is no disrespect to them or to the instrument - and I own two tenors to prove it) tenor can be a bit more of a cliché. It is so refreshing to hear someone rear up on their hind legs and play a good solo on alto - not least because its astringent tone is such a nice contrast to yet another woofly tenor player.

Vive la difference anyway.

Also, the tenor never quite manages the perkiness of the alto. I love 'em all. There's some nice work with tenor and alto together going on here:

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

That is very good way of describing the tenor sound, and a great way of describing how I would like to play alto. When I knew nothing whatsoever about either I decided on alto purely because I thought it would be cooler to play this little, snappy thing. But I guess my change of heart is cos when I rear up and make it scream it sounds like small children being murdered in a way not fit to describe here. That piece of duetting and solo was well worth a listen. I think that guy must have a much better alto than I have, cos it sounds so much better than mine does! 🙂))If only I could get one the same!
Mike

 

[TomMapfumo]

The Alto IS a cooler sax, so you got one thing right. My reflection about getting a decent tone is to master playing a softer reed up high, rather than a harder reed down low, and really develop your airstream so that you set the tone just as much as the instrument that you are playing, which can be potentially very bright sounding. Developing the lower range should help you when you want to go higher and then it is possible to achieve greater homogeneity of sound through the whole range of the instrument. The problem often of playing high is not maintaining an open enough throat together with solid airstream, but rather tightening up/strangling your breath such that sound begins to squirt out, almost like a leak. It is fair to say that this does take time (as I found when trying to get a decent tone on a trumpet), but is worth it!

 

[Taz]

Nash, when your practicing your long tones, try changing the sound by altering your oral cavity. It makes for a challenging session and alleviates the boredom. Also, try playing towards a closed window, mirror or into the corner of the room. This will reflect you sound back towards you and you'll be surprised at how full your sound really is. My favorite practice room is my mothers conservatory. Only problem is she lives in Rye on the south coast and I live 160 miles away in the Midlands! Doh!!!

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

Tom, you are a very knowledgable man and your input here is much appreciated. Of course I dont really make a cacophany of screeches. What I often get in the upper range are weak notes, skinny and brassy. I try most of the things I learn for improvement here, and will take all on board. I have dozens of reeds (spect we all do) of the right strength but to me unmanageable, different strengths, and am going to try old ones out again. I think James Galway said "make every note a beautiful note" and I hope to get there so that whatever I play it will worth listening to. Like most though, I have box full of tools but forget to use half of them whenever a new one comes along. Just got to keep at it.

Practising in the conservatory reminds me of when I was kid. I used to lock myself in the bathroom with an accoustic guitar, sometimes for hours. You wouldnt've wanted too many cups of tea in our house.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[gladsaxisme]

So that's why players MOVE ON from Alto to Tenor..........Tenor IS easier to play. So players start on Alto, fail miserably, start playing Tenor, make a slightly better sound, and are able to overcome the trauma of their initial Alto failure......aw, diddums:crying:

So, it is not a macho thing after all.....:shocked:;}

Hi Tom

I know exactly where your coming from being a prefered alto player myself that has a tenor and knows the tenors are easier to play and get a half descent tone, but I have to say Tom, and it's not like you at all, but your sounding a little sarchy here.:shocked:

Did you get out the wrong side of bed this morning?

All the best ....john

 

[gladsaxisme]

nash, when your practicing your long tones, try changing the sound by altering your oral cavity. It makes for a challenging session and alleviates the boredom. Also, try playing towards a closed window, mirror or into the corner of the room. This will reflect you sound back towards you and you'll be surprised at how full your sound really is. My favorite practice room is my mothers conservatory. Only problem is she lives in rye on the south coast and i live 160 miles away in the midlands! Doh!!!

that will make for long practice sessions won't it

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi John!

Too much humour, too few forums..........too little time.........:shocked:;}

Lots of love to you and your Alto.
Kind regards
Tom😎

 

[gypsy]

Tom,

That should actually say "lots of love to you and your Altoooooos"!

Sorry John - couldn't resist.

Best wishes,

Albert

 

[trimmy]

Also, the tenor never quite manages the perkiness of the alto. I love 'em all. There's some nice work with tenor and alto together going on here:

....Good clip

When played by top players both Alto & Tenor sound superb, i'm envious of players who are good at both, i do feel the alto does add that little extra in sound variation compared to tenor ( as in high notes) 2 alto players who i like at the moment are Ron Brown and Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum on tenor and soprano is awesome.

But i must conquer Alto 1st, before trying Tenor 🙂

 

[gladsaxisme]

Tom,

That should actually say "lots of love to you and your Altoooooos"!

Sorry John - couldn't resist.

Best wishes,

Albert

Hi Albert

Anybody who came across my hello post will know that I am gas personified, if it seems cheap chances are I'll buy it.OH DEAR LORD HELP ME! ! ! ! ! !

All the best.... john