Doubling

Bobby G · Apr 28, 2006

A question for, among others, Ken; which of your horns do you prefer playing on, or is it just as the mood takes you? I've had my tenor for a few days now and can't leave it alone - those fat tones, the subtone (must get a bari soon!!), the sheer comfort of the stance and embouchure, I find I can just relax into it so much... then I put on my alto, and it feels so little with such a light action I can fair whizz about on it!

rs2sensen · Apr 28, 2006

Most players gain some sort of preference for a certain type of horn. The alto is certainly my favorite variety of saxophone to play. I wip out my soprano when I'm in the mood to have a little random fun.

I do enjoy the tenor, but...something about it has never been right for me. It's always felt awkward, clumsy, in my hands. And I'm a pretty big guy with darn big hands, logic would expect that the alto and sop would be more difficult. I am a pretty big fan of C-Melodys, though. I like the sound of them, and I really like the straight-neck Conns. (Currently looking for one of my own).

I've only really enjoyed the Bari because I can be rather obnoxious on it. The same thing with the bass.

I've never played a sopranino, but have always wanted to.

I think a lot of it depends on the genre of music too. Certain types are just more fun to play under different styles of music.

ken · Apr 28, 2006

aquatic · Apr 30, 2006

i prefer playing the alto, i find my tenor more difficult, and seem to run out of puff far easier.

rs2sensen · May 1, 2006

At 00:28:59 AM 01/05/06, Aquatic wrote:
i prefer playing the alto, i find my tenor more difficult, and seem to run out of puff far easier.

I noticed that at first, but eventually got used to it. I also have noticed, after using my Selmer Series II as my main sax, my lung capacity is much larger (the Series II has a lot more resistance than my other saxes).

griff136 · May 1, 2006

I love playing all of them! but if I had to choose it would be the alto.

Bobby G · May 1, 2006

Perhaps it's something to do with the more 'open-shouldered' stance for playing tenor? Any Bari players care to comment on amount of puff needed?

brucemacdonald · May 4, 2006

I'm hoping one day I can pick up a soprano at a cheap price. I play tenor and B flat horns are what I am used to.

Alto is very easy to blow after blowing a tenor! Yes you need more puff and the mechanism on a tenor can seem very cumbersome compared to the smaller horn. It just needs more practise.

I would also dearly love to try a baritone as well.

Bruce

wolfmaiden · Jun 26, 2006

well, I double on bari......because of a shortage of tenor seats....and I hate it!!....with a passion!! LOL! ....seriously - I just can't make it 'speak'........but it's made huge, huge improvements in my tenor playing - embouchure, breathing, speed etc..........so it's worth it - we're barely on speaking terms (it gets the 'nod' twice a week and that's it - practice?....bari?......why? doubling 'bone, bass clari, and tuba parts mainly!
- FWIW, Eddie Graf is a big name here in Toronto.......and one of my community bands plays several of his charts - does anyone know why he writes such boring, pedantic charts for bari sax???......eg. Spanish Eyes - I must have all of 7 notes in the whole tune!!......pretty similar for Latin Mood too.......if I ever bump into him, that will be my first request - Give Me More NOTES!!

Half-wishing someone would steal my bari so I could buy an alto on the insurance! >:)

....or a flute.......now there's a thought...

brucemacdonald · Jun 26, 2006

At 02:28:03 AM 26/06/06, wolfmaiden wrote:
Half-wishing someone would steal my bari so I could buy an alto on the insurance! ....or a flute.......now there's a thought...

Oh no, don't buy a flute unless you are prepared to work hard over getting the tone right - they are MUCH harder than a sax (and I used to play flute as well).

Bruce

Bobby G · Jun 26, 2006

At 02:28:03 26/06/06, wolfmaiden wrote:

Half-wishing someone would steal my bari so I could buy an alto on the insurance! ....or a flute.......now there's a thought...

Hey, Wolfie! Pay half the air-fare, I'll come and steal it! (Disclaimer - this is in no way incitement to, or condoning of, criminal activity)

Anyone played any of the *really* big saxophones?

wolfmaiden · Jun 27, 2006

😉 good one!.......but, if I lose the bari, I lose the seat.....and the fun more than makes up for the pain...

I guess it must be like switching from trumpet to tuba though.........each have their place, but, my tenor is my 'baby'......still love to have a tinkle with a flute (I already do Ian Andersons' one-legged stance on my tenor........ - no one in the band 'gets it' and they assume I have a cramp or something similar..........guess there's a shortage of Tull fans here in Canada!!). Tim Weisberg is pretty cool on flute though - did a couple of albums with Dan Fogelberg.......

How essential is 'doubling' as you progress through the band circuit?.....I notice cruise ships ask for saxes with clarinet and flute......so I guess I won't be 'cruising' for a while! :whistle:

Bobby G · Jun 27, 2006

I saw Ian Anderson on Tull's '72 tour when they were doing "Passion Play" (not marvellous) and "Thick as a Brick" (marvellous) as well as other bits off Aqualung.

I think by then he'd given up on the one-legged stance, and got rid of the old dressing gown. He could double, though - guitar and flute on stage, plus other things like violin and sax on recordings.