SOTM SOTM May 2021 - The Swan

[rhysonsax]

Too funny! I have a joke on that but it has become politically very incorrect so I am biting my fingers

Nice job! I was looking at my c-sop and thinking about it but now there is no need!

What's your c-sop? Mine is a 1923 Buescher

Mine is a modern C sop that I bought from Benedikt Eppelsheim in 2011. It was one of the last ones he had after he stopped a collaboration with a US firm and their venture was called Eppelsheim & Reese. They were made somewhere in Asia, but I don't know how much design input came from Benedikt - the mechanism is conventional and modern.

I find it very free blowing and quite a challenge. Although it works OK-ish with normal Bb soprano mouthpieces (some better than others) I prefer a C soprano mouthpiece that Ed Pillinger made for me.

It would be good to hear your Buescher C sop.

Rhys

 

[LostCircuits]

Mine is a modern C sop that I bought from Benedikt Eppelsheim in 2011. It was one of the last ones he had after he stopped a collaboration with a US firm and their venture was called Eppelsheim & Reese. They were made somewhere in Asia, but I don't know how much design input came from Benedikt - the mechanism is conventional and modern.

I find it very free blowing and quite a challenge. Although it works OK-ish with normal Bb soprano mouthpieces (some better than others) I prefer a C soprano mouthpiece that Ed Pillinger made for me.

It would be good to hear your Buescher C sop.

Rhys

I have another oral surgery today so I won't promise anything

Eppelsheim! Wow, I was wondering how you got that intonation so spot on! Very Nice!!!

 

[nigeld]

Since we seem to be trying out unusual instruments, here's my bassoon.

https://soundcloud.com/user-935648777%2Fthe-swan-bassoon%2Fs-cknMMErEMNU

 

[LostCircuits]

Since we seem to be trying out unusual instruments, here's my bassoon.

https://soundcloud.com/user-935648777%2Fthe-swan-bassoon%2Fs-cknMMErEMNU

I tried my bass clarinet but miserably failed. The register switches are not that easy on the clarinet and I just haven't had the time to practice.

Love this bassoon version!

 

[LostCircuits]

Ok, jaw surgery went well and I felt good enough to attempt a take with my 1923 Buescher c-sop. It has a rather bright tone in that setup (Vandoren 2.5 reed) so I played with the bell under my desk and two room microphones "behind" the bell to take off a bit of the edge. Oh, and I am playing the Ultem MPC, the black one is a Morgan but it is extremely difficult to stay in pitch over the registers with that one.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[nigeld]

Ok, jaw surgery went well and I felt good enough to attempt a take with my 1923 Buescher c-sop. It has a rather bright tone in that setup (Vandoren 2.5 reed) so I played with the bell under my desk and two room microphones "behind" the bell to take off a bit of the edge. Oh, and I am playing the Ultem MPC, the black one is a Morgan but it is extremely difficult to stay in pitch over the registers with that one.

Wow - two C-soprano versions!

That was great!
Like @rhysonsax your C-mel has its own special sound - much brighter than a normal soprano.
And you hit the top D without problems.
I''m always in awe of folk who can hit the high notes properly on a soprano - I usually need a run up.

And hearty congratulations on the successful jaw surgery.

 

[LostCircuits]

Wow - two C-soprano versions!

That was great!
Like @rhysonsax your C-mel has its own special sound - much brighter than a normal soprano.

Well, thank you so much!

It is a high baffle, medium-small chamber MPC based on Ron Coelho's "B" (bullet baffle) design, which causes the very bright sound. But it stays pretty much on pitch over the entire range, including overtones (I don't really need to get into altissimo with that setup). And it is very easy playing and if I push, I can cut through a loud rock band with this setup. It's always funny when the electric guitar players look at you and you can tell the wheels are turning as in "how can one tiny little horn be so loud?"

 

[PigSquealer]

Well, thank you so much!

It is a high baffle, medium-small chamber MPC based on Ron Coelho's "B" (bullet baffle) design, which causes the very bright sound. But it stays pretty much on pitch over the entire range, including overtones (I don't really need to get into altissimo with that setup). And it is very easy playing and if I push, I can cut through a loud rock band with this setup. It's always funny when the electric guitar players look at you and you can tell the wheels are turning as in "how can one tiny little horn be so loud?"

View attachment 18301

View attachment 18300

Great playing sound. Not even 24 hours after surgery on your mouth !
I don’t know how you do it.
Another beautiful mouthpiece you’ve made. Are these available?

Wow - two C-soprano versions!

That was great!
Like @rhysonsax your C-mel has its own special sound - much brighter than a normal soprano.
And you hit the top D without problems.
I''m always in awe of folk who can hit the high notes properly on a soprano - I usually need a run up.

And hearty congratulations on the successful jaw surgery.

There’s been no lack of talent from everyone yourself included.
😉

 

[LostCircuits]

Great playing sound. Not even 24 hours after surgery on your mouth !
I don’t know how you do it.
Another beautiful mouthpiece you’ve made. Are these available?

There’s been a lack of talent from everyone yourself included.

Yes, these mouthpieces are available - currently under the RADAR but .... just ask 🙂

 

[nigeld]

There’s been a lack of talent from everyone yourself included.

I can't deny it, but is that what you meant to say?

 

[PigSquealer]

I can't deny it, but is that what you meant to say?

I officially hate auto typing😳. I’ve made the edit

 

[rhysonsax]

I had a saxophone quartet arrangement of The Swan, but it really wasn't a good one - the tune was on alto throughout, bari and tenor were easy and boring and the soprano was difficult and got in the way.

So I bought another arrangement, this one by the wonderful Bill Holcombe and it's a much better one, with the melody being shared around and each instrument having an interesting part with some rhythmic variety. I want to play it with our real sax quartet when we get back together, but in the meantime this recording is just me.

The Swan - Holcombe Sax Quartet Rhys V1a.mp3 - Box

Rhys

 

[LostCircuits]

I had a saxophone quartet arrangement of The Swan, but it really wasn't a good one - the tune was on alto throughout, bari and tenor were easy and boring and the soprano was difficult and got in the way.

So I bought another arrangement, this one by the wonderful Bill Holcombe and it's a much better one, with the melody being shared around and each instrument having an interesting part with some rhythmic variety. I want to play it with our real sax quartet when we get back together, but in the meantime this recording is just me.

The Swan - Holcombe Sax Quartet Rhys V1a.mp3 - Box

Rhys

That's pretty epic! I'd love to see that live performed!

 

[nigeld]

I had a saxophone quartet arrangement of The Swan, but it really wasn't a good one - the tune was on alto throughout, bari and tenor were easy and boring and the soprano was difficult and got in the way.

So I bought another arrangement, this one by the wonderful Bill Holcombe and it's a much better one, with the melody being shared around and each instrument having an interesting part with some rhythmic variety. I want to play it with our real sax quartet when we get back together, but in the meantime this recording is just me.

The Swan - Holcombe Sax Quartet Rhys V1a.mp3 - Box

Rhys

That’s a great arrangement!

 

[rhysonsax]

That’s a great arrangement!

Bill Holcombe really knew how to arrange. He did Carnival of the Animals for saxophone quartet in three parts, of which this is Part 3, containing Fossiles, The Swan and Finale. Fossiles looks tricky but our quartet might try all three.

Parts 1 and 2 cost the same but contain more pieces and so offer better value for money.

Rhys

 

[nigeld]

We are approaching the end of the month, so I would like to thank all the contributors.
There is still time for last-minute recordings, and as usual the thread will remain open after the end of the month, so extra contribution are very welcome.