Sidney Bechet

[Saxoholic]

Hi all,

I was looking through many of the posts here and was surprised to see that i couldnt find one on Sidney Bechet. I dont know what you all think of him bu i really like him. Anybody else like his stuff or is it just me?

 

[helena]

I went to an amazing Courtney Pine concert, and most of the music was Bechet...great stuff, very hard to play!!

Helen

 

[Saxoholic]

Yeah some of it does seem very difficult to play. I think most of his stuff is really good, especially his own songs such as Petite Fleur.

 

[jonf]

I've got a book of his transcriptions, which I have a tootle on every now and again. I like 'As-tu le cafard?', nice tune. If my school-boy French serves me well, it means 'have you got the blues?'

Not too sure about old Sid's vibrato, though. Overdoes it a bit for me.

 

[Saxoholic]

The reason he did that vibrato was apparently to keep the saxophone in tune or to at least cover up it being out of tune!

 

[Pete Thomas]

saxoholic wrote:
The reason he did that vibrato was apparently to keep the saxophone in tune or to at least cover up it being out of tune!

Don't we all?

 

[Saxoholic]

I suppose your right pete. Although i thought that the reason for using vibrato is because a held note sounds rather boring and using vibrato is just another way of embelishing it and your playing.

 

[SaxCat]

I love 'Petite Fleur'. Can anyone recommend any books that contain the sheet music for it?

Many thanks.

Susanne

 

[phil_edwards]

Here 'tis.


http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/14770/Product.aspx

Phil

 

[peedee]

SaxCat wrote:
I love 'Petite Fleur'. Can anyone recommend any books that contain the sheet music for it?

Many thanks.

Susanne

Hi Susanne
You'll find it in "Classic Jazz for Saxophone" ISBN 0-7119-5757-6
66 great tunes in there for Eb and Bb saxes, I often dip into it. Beginner to intermediate, so not too hard if you're a beginner. I agree 'petite fleur' is a pleasure to play. I first heard it back in the 60's when trad jazz was my thing, but now play it on my tenor in a modern way. Great stuff!
Cheers
Pete

 

[peedee]

My favourite rendition of Petite Fleur is by Monty Sunshine on clarinet in Chris Barbers band.
Just thought I'd let you know :S

 

[saxplayer67]

saxoholic wrote:
I suppose your right pete. Although i thought that the reason for using vibrato is because a held note sounds rather boring and using vibrato is just another way of embelishing it and your playing.

The reason for vibrato on any instrument is to make it sound less 'staid', same as with singing. I had heard that Bechet did the wide vibrato on his soprano, to cover up the out of tuneness but I dunno, I love vibrato and use anything from a slightness to a full blown Bechet.