Are certain instruments better suited to certain tunes/songs?

[old git]

Wonder what others think about the matching tunes to certain instruments?

As one who nicked the lines that introduced the canons in the 1812 overture to compose "The Twelve Minutes Past Six Blues" and the Hallelujah Chorus for "We're Redundant" when BSM decided to close the London Training Branch, why do I find it so hard to play "Wildwood Flower" on anything but guitar, banjo or mountain dulcimer? Is it just the association with my folk days and why does it only affect certain melodies?

Do you have similar no go areas or is it really, all in the mind?

 

[TomMapfumo]

I do much prefer using trumpet on certain tunes, sax on some, and trombone on others. Cantaloupe Island/All Blues sound way better on trumpet, Footprints way better on Tenor sax, & Blue Trane, and all Specials tunes on Tenor trombone, for example.
I'd be wary of trying too much to see if certain tunes translate but it is good to be aware of whether you gain anything or not by
so doing

 

[Colin the Bear]

A good tune will play in many different styles, tempos and time Sig's. Some tunes are all style and not much content. Some songs have all the content in the lyric so playing an instrumental version seems a bit empty.

I saw a Jimmy Hendrix book transcribed for alt sax on amazon. I didn't buy it.

I do find that some of the stuff I play suits the mood of one sax more than another. That may just be a matter of taste or tradition.

I got told off by an early music aficionado for playing summertime on a crumhorn. Sounded alright to me.

 

[Mike]

Personally speaking, it's a personal obstruction which we place upon ourselves. Yes, it's all in the mind.
If we we're to master our instrument we would therefore be able, without restraint, to play anything in an agile way. The only constraint that I would consider is the subjectivity of the listener involved who has another perspective of interpretation of how a selective piece should be performed, as in what instrument would be deemed correct.

 

[jbtsax]

Desafinado, Yakkety Sax, and the Pink Panther theme are definitely tenor sax tunes in my mind. Alto tunes include Misty, Harlem Nocturne, When Sunny Gets Blue, and Take Five. The tune that fits the bari is Don't Get Around Anymore. Any tune played on soprano would sound better on any other saxophone or instrument for that matter in my opinion. Kenny G just ruined it for me I guess.

 

[trimmy]

Any tune played on soprano would sound better on any other saxophone or instrument for that matter in my opinion. Kenny G just ruined it for me I guess.

Tempted to get a soprano, i like this guys tone on sop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyoAyz2v2VU

 

[kevgermany]

Tempted to get a soprano, i like this guys tone on sop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyoAyz2v2VU

That's good, without cheese! Loved it. Have been trying to get there. It's a long journey and I've a long way to go. But don't let me put you off.

Pete's PPT sop mouthpieces are a big help.

 

[old git]

Desafinado, Yakkety Sax, and the Pink Panther theme are definitely tenor sax tunes in my mind.

Seen and heard a superb Bluegrass version of "Desafinado" in a local folk club.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Pink Panther sounds great on Baritone to my ears. For my money the best Sop player is Bechet. This little girl is a good antidote for The G man

http://youtu.be/wRnky0RJAjU

 

[kevgermany]

Pink Panther sounds great on Baritone to my ears. For my money the best Sop player is Bechet. This little girl is a good antidote for The G man

http://youtu.be/wRnky0RJAjU

She is!

And to all those who say don't let beginners out on a soprano.....

 

[trimmy]

This little girl is a good antidote for The G man

http://youtu.be/wRnky0RJAjU

She is!

A talented young lady indeed....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkSiN8Y2SNE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=odeEDnUaWtA

and if you have 55mins to spare...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMpwRzX4JpI

 

[Colin the Bear]

She's no beginner though.

 

[kevgermany]

She's no beginner though.

She was once, and is still so tiny, I can't see her having started on alto. Wish I could play like she does. Another CDulfer in the making...

 

[trimmy]

She's no beginner though.

She's on the 'beginnering' of a long career 🙂

 

[Strobe]

Any tune played on soprano would sound better on any other saxophone or instrument for that matter in my opinion. Kenny G just ruined it for me I guess.

Aw c'mom jbt, give us a break! Have you ever listened to Coltrane's My Favourite Things, recorded live at Newport in '63?

 

[BigMartin]

She was once, and is still so tiny, I can't see her having started on alto. Wish I could play like she does. Another CDulfer in the making...

Better than that already, IMO.

 

[gladsaxisme]

Desafinado, Yakkety Sax, and the Pink Panther theme are definitely tenor sax tunes in my mind. Alto tunes include Misty, Harlem Nocturne, When Sunny Gets Blue, and Take Five. The tune that fits the bari is Don't Get Around Anymore. Any tune played on soprano would sound better on any other saxophone or instrument for that matter in my opinion. Kenny G just ruined it for me I guess.

Looks like I just dropped a big clanger then for my first post woudn't you just know it...john

 

[MLoosemore]

Looks like I just dropped a big clanger then for my first post woudn't you just know it...john

Nice interpretation though John, really looking forward to your rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 on violin 🙂))

 

[gladsaxisme]

Pink Panther sounds great on Baritone to my ears. For my money the best Sop player is Bechet. This little girl is a good antidote for The G man

http://youtu.be/wRnky0RJAjU

This lady is really something else a great talent singing sax and trumpet and goodness knows what else...john

 

[MLoosemore]

Brilliant talent....