Playing the saxophone How to play this notation?

[Matt62]

Hi,

Can any help me with how this notation (red circled notes) is intended to be played please?

I can imagine a number of possibilities, but hopefully someone can tell me categorically?

Thanks
Matt

 

[Pete Thomas]

That's standard notation for scratch your head and wonder what this means.

But when combined with a + it means open mute for brass instruments. Without the + it is meaningless.

 

[mizmar]

Wiki says

Natural harmonic or Open note

On a stringed instrument, this means to play a natural harmonic (also called flageolet).

 

[Pete Thomas]

That's standard notation for scratch your head and wonder what this means.

But when combined with a + it means open mute for brass instruments. Without the + it is meaningless.

The diamond head notes I might use to indicate a harmonic, but that makes no sense in the context also.

Also the last bar has a tenuto mark at a jaunty angle.

Are you sure this was written for saxophone?

 

[Matt62]

So, I know (explained here) that in string instruments the circle notation and diamond notehead have meanings but I can't see how that would relate to or be interpreted on the sax?

Maybe a multiphonic or a false fingering of some kind?...but I would expect that to be explained?

 

[Matt62]

The diamond head notes I might use to indicate a harmonic, but that makes no sense in the context also.

Also the last bar has a tenuto mark at a jaunty angle.

Are you sure this was written for saxophone?

That tenuto is my crappy editing of an accent. I'd trimmed it down to avoid any copyright issues, but looking again I think it's probably ok.

Yep, definitely written for sax quartet. Maybe the extra context will help...

 

[Matt62]

I've heard a few recordings of this, including the New Century Saxophone Quartet (for which apparently James Boatman played alto).

I can't hear anything different in there?...

 

[turf3]

My guess would be that this is intended to indicate a multiphonic. I think you could get one fairly easily by fingering low B on those notes. I have no idea why the arranger wouldn't have indicated what the notation is supposed to mean.

 

[lydian]

The circle just means overtone/multiphonic, and the diamond is the pitch. Unfortunately the arranger is not specifying a fingering to use, so you'll have to figure that out yourself. Since you can't hear it on the recording and it goes by so fast, you can probably just ignore it if you want.