Saxophone beginners Well, That's Annoying...

[Veggie Dave]

So play it an octave up

The other half of the riff is then far too high and simply sounds dreadful. It just doesn't work. You could rewrite it, or just play that one section an octave higher, but then it wouldn't be the same song.

The obvious solution is to simply transcribe it into a different key, which is what I accidentally did in the first place. 😉

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you play the saxophone only where you can play it, you'll never be able to play it where you can't. Sounds like you need a baritone. ( and an alto sop bass nino .....oh dear)

 

[kevgermany]

If you play the saxophone only where you can play it, you'll never be able to play it where you can't. Sounds like you need a baritone. ( and an alto sop bass nino .....oh dear)

You left out the C sop and C melody...

 

[Colin the Bear]

and straight alto and goofus and ...lol

 

[Veggie Dave]

If you play the saxophone only where you can play it, you'll never be able to play it where you can't.

I transposed the song and didn't like the way it sounded. It's that simple.

I'm not sure what it is that you can't understand but I'll try one more time to explain. If I want to play a song, I don't want to sound like a second rate cabaret singer in a working mens' club who has to sing the chorus an octave lower because he can't hit the notes.

That is not remotely acceptable or pleasant to listen to.

<edit>It's funny how you read something in one frame of mind and see one thing, then read it in another frame of mind and see something else. This morning I read your comments as though you were being intentionally condescending, and said so, five hours later and those exact same words appear to say something completely different...

 

[kevgermany]

I transposed the song and didn't like the way it sounded. It's that simple.

I'm not sure what it is that you can't understand but I'll try one more time to explain. If I want to play a song, I don't want to sound like a second rate cabaret singer in a working mens' club who has to sing the chorus an octave lower because he can't hit the notes.

That is not remotely acceptable or pleasant to listen to.

If I hadn't tried the song in a different key then I'd understand your comments, but you're starting to sound just a little condescending rather than helpful.

This makes perfect sense to me. You've clearly got a good sense of absolute pitch and strongly hear where it should be. Sadly many of us don't have this, me included. It sounds the same to me if it's up a tone or down a tone. 3 tones out and I'd probably notice, but I wouldn't guarantee it.

 

[aldevis]

I transposed the song and didn't like the way it sounded. It's that simple.

I'm not sure what it is that you can't understand but I'll try one more time to explain. If I want to play a song, I don't want to sound like a second rate cabaret singer in a working mens' club who has to sing the chorus an octave lower because he can't hit the notes.

I change octaves continuosly, to use different colours of the instrument.
The aim is making musical sense of what you are playing, not imitating a pre-existing version.

If the number is a sax feature, you can change the whole key for the rest of the band.

For example, "Autumn Leaves" is usually in G minor, E minor or C minor, according to the player.

Some technically challenging numbers are better played in the original key and a couple more (Donna Lee in B anyone?) but the habit of playing in different keys is a useful routine.

Also second rate cabaret singers, sometimes pay my bills, so I better learn to play in their key (women being the worst offenders).

A joke:
Pianist to the singer:
"In which key do you want this tune, the one that's too high or the one that's too low"

 

[spike]

The main riff is across two octaves which, when played in the original key, requires you to play a low B to C sharp with a speed I'm simply not capable of achieving and a level of aggression, or staccato if you prefer, that I don't think can be played on a tenor.

I'm intrigued - if I might ask - what song is this ?

 

[Veggie Dave]

The aim is making musical sense of what you are playing, not imitating a pre-existing version.

The aim is to play the music in a way that pleases you.

 

[Veggie Dave]

I'm intrigued - if I might ask - what song is this ?

As bizarre as it may sound, I'm working on taking the bass parts from a Black Sabbath song, Walk Away, and turning it into a harmonised saxophone duet and then playing the song's melody over the duet with a drum machine and bass backing.

I didn't want to say what it was until after I'd posted the final results (assuming they weren't too bad) as I'm betting no one's posted a song by Sabbath before and I thought it would be quite a pleasant surprise to many, particularly as while it would be the same song it obviously would be very different. I also haven't heard anyone posting pieces where they've played a second sax part either as a harmony or counter melody, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I thought it would be fun, a challenge and something a little different. I know in my head how I think it will sound and I know what I don't want it to sound like. And if you think that all sounds bizarre, once you've heard the original song itself you'll know for certain:

 

[aldevis]

Play in your favourite key and change the rhythm section then. Drummer won't mind.

 

[spike]

Wow - sounds like yer in fer a lot've fun - played with a "Classic Rock" band for a few years. It was a real blast to put it mildly. Rock on Dave. Gruss - spike.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I transposed the song and didn't like the way it sounded. It's that simple.

I'm not sure what it is that you can't understand but I'll try one more time to explain. If I want to play a song, I don't want to sound like a second rate cabaret singer in a working mens' club who has to sing the chorus an octave lower because he can't hit the notes.

That is not remotely acceptable or pleasant to listen to.

<edit>It's funny how you read something in one frame of mind and see one thing, then read it in another frame of mind and see something else. This morning I read your comments as though you were being intentionally condescending, and said so, five hours later and those exact same words appear to say something completely different...

Trying to be helpful and humorous at the same time, with limited success it would seem. I am that 2nd rate singer by the way. I'm nearly this good

http://youtu.be/x4QBAPt9nSY

 

[Veggie Dave]

I am that 2nd rate singer by the way.

I've watched the vid in your sig, so I know you're lying. 😉