Does anyone out there play soprano?

[impulse]

beevee, when you say bent do you mean a curved bass down near the bell as distinct from a curved neck? Sort of like a small alto.

 

[Bobby G]

I would imagine beevee means a regular curved soprano rather than any of the more exotic variations. The standard curved soprano also has the crook offset at an angle to the main body tube, and I find it very comfortable to play.

Talking of jams, I am often the only alto player among as many as six horns, all of the others being tenors (although one of them doubles on straight soprano). As noted by Tengu above when talking about the contrast between tenors and sopranos, even my alto comes across as a very different sound after all the tenors. Olivier's soprano doesn't quite come over in the same way, as his soprano style tends to be a little timid and polite (his soprano would probably work better without drums, or maybe with guitar instead of piano), but also as Tengu notes, even forty years after his death, Coltrane's sound and playing is still incredibly influential.

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

Impulse wrote:
Jambo, how long have you been playing soprano and if you went there from alto or tenor did you find it signifcantly more difficult than say going from alto to tenor? Just wondering since people tell me it is hard to keep in tune on soprano.

Hi Impulse. I played Alto for about 8 or 9 months, then got a soprano.

I think the whole thing about sopranos being had to keep in tune is slightly over-exaggerated... I think it maily depends on how much of a 'being in tune' perfectionist you are. I dont have to change my ombeshire that much when playing my soprano, its only when I get to High A that I need to relax or tighten. Through the middle octaves it is fine in my opinion (but as I said, somone else might be more of a perfectionist and not agree).

The soprano is more difficult to play than Alto and Tenor as the ombeshire needs to be quite a bit tighter (especially when you go up tio the higher notes). If you are an Alto player it shouldent be to difficule to tranfere to Soprano (obviously after a bit of practice). I have never played a Tenor so I dont know for certain, but I would think that it would be harder going form that to Sop because of the bigger difference in ombishire

 

[jambo]

Bobby G wrote:
Is that a real church with proper church acoustics?

Cheers, Bob

Its not a big old church or anything like that. Its actually a communtiy hall builing. However, the acoustics are really good in there... it all echos, and as you put, the sounds hang on and circle the room

 

[Linky Lee]

Jambo, I've never been to this place Ombishire you keep talking about, maybe you meant embouchure 😛

I'd love to be able to play in a big church. I played once on my Tenor and it was fantastic, I was playing a jazz ballad.

Your embouchure shouldn't get tighter for the higher notes, it will cause you to play sharp and thin your tone out. You need more air support and to pitch with your throat better, kind of like playing harmonics.

I'm really itching for a soprano now, I like the Hanson SS-5, but I've got to get my Tenor sorted out first.

Must. Stay. Disciplined.

 

[Bobby G]

Jambo wrote:

Bobby G wrote:
Is that a real church with proper church acoustics?

Cheers, Bob

Its not a big old church or anything like that. Its actually a communtiy hall builing. However, the acoustics are really good in there... it all echos, and as you put, the sounds hang on and circle the room

If I'm in the area, there's a lane that goes through a tunnel under the A41 near Berkhamstead that is long enough and nearly circular in cross-section which has similar acoustic properties. I wonder if the cars driving along the A41 get a quick burst of my alto as they pass above me.

I suspect making the jump from tenor to soprano is harder than alto to soprano, and I would say alto to tenor is easier than alto to soprano. The thing about tenor, especially if you don't want to play either hard or fast, is that it's so relaxing; the stance, the embouchure, the way the lovely lower notes come rumbling out.... I wish I had more time and space for tenor, as it is I play mainly alto which is fortunately my first love (when it comes to inanimate objects of course 😉 )

Cheers, Bob

 

[jambo]

Linky_Lee wrote:
Jambo, I've never been to this place Ombishire you keep talking about, maybe you meant embouchure 😛

Im knew I was spelling it wrong lol

 

[impulse]

Fine all, tnx for replies. I`m looking at both curved and straight sopranos. I see a curved Cannonball for AU$ 2300 on eBay. Might be a bit much for my first Sop. There`s also a curved Lachlan (rrp.$1750) for $900. I`ve never heard of Lachlan. Seems the curved sops. are dearer than the straight ones. Cheers

 

[Bobby G]

I think you're right about price impulse - the shop where I bought my curved Artemis also had a straight Artemis which was a bit less. I tried them both and decided the curved was worth the extra for the increased comfort of playing, and the security of having a sling. With straight sopranos it's very common to use them without a sling.

Cheers, Bob

 

[suethesax]

I play alto primarily but I do play sop in a sax/clarinet ensemble and a wind band.

It does have a beautiful sound and as others have said it sings out above the other instruments (unless the sopranino is there).

I have a Yani SC992 bronze curved sop which blows so easily and actually for a sop is quite easy to tune. As a slip of a lass at only 5 feet tall and having no muscles I find it easy both ergonomically and resistance wise.

Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy 🙂

 

[Bobby G]

Those Yani curved sopranos are supposed to be very good. Amy, another slip of a girl of my acquaintance doubles on flute, tenor and soprano, which sounds lovely and which she also recommends highly. I think they cost a fair bit, though, like 16-1800?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Linky Lee]

There's a Beuscher True Tone newly listed, might be worth looking into, the seller doesn't have a decent auction but if you could visit or get some better pictures might be interesting.

 

[Pete Thomas]

These can be lovely sopranos, but impossible to tell from this site whether it needs hundreds spending on it.

 

[Linky Lee]

Yes, that is very true which is why I said about looking into it in more detail. As most of us know from Jambo's unlucky experience buying from Ebay can be bad even if you think you have some kind of security. You have to see these things before committing to buy I think.

Steven Howard recommends a 'Helmke' (not to be confused with 'Hemke') from Ebay as they are good quality consistent very very cheap Chinese horns. Might be worth looking into those as well.

Hope you enjoy whatever you get, do tell us!

 

[Bobby G]

That Buescher looks nice, but I'd be wary - the seller didn't actually answer the question about whether the horn is ready to play. It may just be a genuine omission, but from what some people have said, and from Jambo's experience, you really can't tell....

Cheers, Bob

 

[impulse]

OK all Tnx for your input. I didn`t know the straight sop was rarely played with a sling so (because of a weak right thumb) I`ll probably go for the curved one.
One of the problems we have in Aus. is that shops here have never heard of some of the US or Brit. stocked names like Helmke, Buescher and Artemis. Are the Yanis you refer to Yanagisawas instruments? Yamahas and Yanagisawas and Selmers are available but prices are pretty high. What about the Taiwan Jupiter, these sell for about a US$1000?

 

[BeeVee]

I have two Jupiter altos and they are fine; even a very old and spotty one; it's really good. I didn't know they produce a CURVED soprano though.

 

[Linky Lee]

Helmke is |Chinese and not likely to be found easily. Beuscher's are vintage instruments are are only where their owners have taken them, Artemis are from Trevor J James I believe which are made in UK and I have never seen abroad.

 

[Bobby G]

Indeed, Artemis are through Trevor James, but I'm not sure if they're manufactured in the UK. For the price they are, I suspect not.

Cheers, Bob

 

[impulse]

Yes you`re right beevee, I found out Jupiter only make a straight sop. Seems tho`there are heaps of Chinese ones. I don`t know if there is a main manufacturer supplying under diff. names or many suppliers. Agent here says there about 20 Chinese manufacturers and some of them pretty good. The prices tho` are so low I find this hard to believe. Here a Jupiter is AUS $1500, a Yam $3000 but a Chinese Artiste only$599!!?