Eb / Bb practice

U CAN CALL ME AL

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Having spent the last two years playing either alto or bari exclusively, I found myself in a situation where I wanted to post on BOM but had to use my tenor. The notes I was hearing in my head seemed different and detached from my fingers and I seemed to be playing known intervals.
Kevgermany was definite that I should play/practice tenor more often, I was wonder how others divide their practice/playing time between Eb & Bb instruments
 
I play mainly tenor, but have recently returned to playing alto in our quartet (we were a bit unbalanced with 3 tenors and a bari!). So I now practice each on alternate days. I've also started playing some of the same tunes on each instrument and have found that I actually prefer the sound of some them on alto (having learned them on tenor)!
 
I find that when I alternate frequently, the disconnect you mention becomes shorter. For me Eb one day and Bb another works well. But both in a practice session is a good move.

What I find more confusing is playingt he saem tune on the different pitched instruments - you either have to use different fingering, or live with the different pitch. But playing different tunes on each reduces the difficulty - for me.
 
I used to play mainly tenor with occasional alto, but now I'm doing grade exams on alto, I tend to do 3 days alto, and 1 or 2 days tenor. Just make sure that you the overtone practice! But Amanda is right. Some tunes are in a better register on tenor than alto and visa versa, and I would look at the BOTM and see which works best.
 
Having spent the last two years playing either alto or bari exclusively, I found myself in a situation where I wanted to post on BOM but had to use my tenor. The notes I was hearing in my head seemed different and detached from my fingers and I seemed to be playing known intervals.
Kevgermany was definite that I should play/practice tenor more often, I was wonder how others divide their practice/playing time between Eb & Bb instruments

I think that's normal, probably has something to do with muscle memory. Your ear is working with your fingers. In my old band days with the military, I would see the conductor who was a trumpet/Cornet player read the score and with his hands behind his back, finger an imaginary trumpet.
 
Having spent the last two years playing either alto or bari exclusively, I found myself in a situation where I wanted to post on BOM but had to use my tenor. The notes I was hearing in my head seemed different and detached from my fingers and I seemed to be playing known intervals.
Kevgermany was definite that I should play/practice tenor more often, I was wonder how others divide their practice/playing time between Eb & Bb instruments


I`m afraid it`s a case of "You and Me Both" as far as advice from this corner. I used to consider myself as a respectable Alto player that had a Tenor Sax. Unfortunately the years without giving enough have told and I`m now trying to get my Alto playing back which is not as easy as it sounds (excuse pun ) It`s the dreaded tuning issues for me, not the fingering which is fine, and if anything is slicker than my Bb playing.

I think that if I`m being honest with myself I may either need to re-balance my routine or give one up . I`m not playing pro / out, nor do have enough time or drive to keep both sets of chops tolerable and it might be the only answer. but hopefully I`ll be able to get something back.

I think I`ll at the very least make it a goal to get fit enough with Eb to post on a BOTM and take it from there. Thats a pretty fair challenge as it is.
 
how others divide their practice/playing time between Eb & Bb instruments

I left it until my mid fifties to start playing. I knew right from the start that baritone was what I wanted to play, so I concentrate on that. Latterly I've tinkered with alto a little, as I sometimes find myself in circumstances where I can practice on alto but not on bari.

I've never even picked up a B♭ saxophone. :~)
 
Having spent the last two years playing either alto or bari exclusively, I found myself in a situation where I wanted to post on BOM but had to use my tenor. The notes I was hearing in my head seemed different and detached from my fingers and I seemed to be playing known intervals.
Kevgermany was definite that I should play/practice tenor more often, I was wonder how others divide their practice/playing time between Eb & Bb instruments
I agree - i played alto and then Bari for about 3 years before getting my Tenor.

I found the tenor really hard to play at first because my brain wasn't hearing what my fingers were fingering.

I recorded my tenor playing and listened back and it sounded fine and in tune, but my ears were not happy when playing.

It has taken well over a year before I became comfortable with sound my ears heard compared with the notes that my fingers were forming. Having then added a Soprano to my repertoire I have no problem with the sounds any more.

I tend to practice mainly alto and tenor, pretty much equal amounts, usually an hour or so each per day - one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.
 
I struggled with tenor at first but as with all things musical, practice improves execution. More you do and more you can do. Roll on the melody C.
 

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