Body & Soul

[Der Wikinger]

Is the normal concert key for Body & Soul Db major, with the bridge in D? The reason why I ask is that I find F concert a much more comfortable key for the Tenor Sax because in Db there are jumps to low C and Bb. On my horn low c is not so bad but to get a low Bb I nearly have to blatt and that is not a good sound for a ballad.

 

[Sue]

http://www.lucaspickford.com/transcolemansoul.html

Found this transcription of Coleman Hawkins so you should find this suitable for tenor ;}

 

[half diminished]

I have 2 transcriptions of Stan Getz both also in C major (for tenor) but also an Aebersold in Eb major (for tenor). Not much help I'm afraid.

 

[stefank]

Is the normal concert key for Body & Soul Db major, with the bridge in D? The reason why I ask is that I find F concert a much more comfortable key for the Tenor Sax because in Db there are jumps to low C and Bb. On my horn low c is not so bad but to get a low Bb I nearly have to blatt and that is not a good sound for a ballad.

Db concert, so Eb on tenor - as in the link Sue has provided.

 

[Der Wikinger]

I can play the arrangement I have, it's that either my horn or myself has a problem with the Bb that's the lowest note on the horn.

 

[kevgermany]

I can play the arrangement I have, it's that either my horn or myself has a problem with the Bb that's the lowest note on the horn.

Check with your teacher. Could be you, the sax, or the reed/mouthpiece. Slightly softer reed may help.

 

[half diminished]

I can play the arrangement I have, it's that either my horn or myself has a problem with the Bb that's the lowest note on the horn.

Low Bb is not an easy note to just hit every time. Try playing it from a start and running into it from C and the B. You need (or at least I need) lots of warm air from deep down and a relaxed embouchure to make it sound good. Or it could be a slight leak. A softer reed will help for sure but take care you don't solve that one and cause issues in the upper register.