Playing the saxophone What are the unique aspects to playing blues compared with other genres?

[John Laughter]

I don't find, as Rock & Roll saxophone enthusiast, boring. I think it's just lots of fun.

Likewise, since 1956 during the heyday of Rock & Roll! It has been, and still is a fun ride in so many ways

 

[skeller047]

7 pages and no one has yet said that to play the blues, you have to put some stank on it.

Chord tones, shmord tones. Blue notes, shmue notes. None of that matters. It’s all about the stank. No stank = no blues.

Saxophonists naturally think about “What note(s) do I play here?” So we talk about blues progressions, blues scales, blue notes, yada yada yada. But HOW do you play those notes? That arguably makes more difference than what note(s) you actually play.

Rhythmic feel certainly makes a difference too. Bottom line, to be a successful blues player, you have to immerse yourself in the music to be able to play it. You gotta get some stank on you.

Note this is true for other genres as well.

 

[LostCircuits]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCD5r_avgvw

 

[Targa]

7 pages and no one has yet said that to play the blues, you have to put some stank on it.

Chord tones, shmord tones. Blue notes, shmue notes. None of that matters. It’s all about the stank. No stank = no blues.

Saxophonists naturally think about “What note(s) do I play here?” So we talk about blues progressions, blues scales, blue notes, yada yada yada. But HOW do you play those notes? That arguably makes more difference than what note(s) you actually play.

Rhythmic feel certainly makes a difference too. Bottom line, to be a successful blues player, you have to immerse yourself in the music to be able to play it. You gotta get some stank on you.

Note this is true for other genres as well.

If one has some stank on one, one ought to have a really good wash.

 

[cappers]

None of that matters. It’s all about the stank. No stank = no blues.

Stank? As in the past tense of stink? Not sure what this means?

 

[Grumps]

Put some different ears on and give it another listen.

Oh, I don't judge. Just going for a laugh. And besides... I only have my own.

 

[skeller047]

Stank? As in the past tense of stink? Not sure what this means?

Sorry - this is a common term in the dives and gutters which are my preferred venues. It is related to “stink” but in the vernacular, “stank” can be thought of as the sauce, the style, the moxie, the verve, the English if you will, that is put on the music to make it fonky.

A little bit back in this thread people were arguing about bebop vs. blues, and reference was made to Charlie Parker. He grew up in Kansas City, and certainly knew how to play the blues, though his level of technical mastery exceeds that of most conservatory-trained musicians. His blues solos (and indeed, many solos on non-blues tunes) have plenty of stank on them.

The point is, it’s the style and attitude that make the blues the blues. Which is why In The Mood will only be found at society gigs. I actually played that tune last month at a yacht club. No stank required.

Hope this helps.

 

[JayeNM]

Sorry - this is a common term in the dives and gutters which are my preferred venues. It is related to “stink” but in the vernacular, “stank” can be thought of as the sauce, the style, the moxie, the verve, the English if you will, that is put on the music to make it fonky.

A little bit back in this thread people were arguing about bebop vs. blues, and reference was made to Charlie Parker. He grew up in Kansas City, and certainly knew how to play the blues, though his level of technical mastery exceeds that of most conservatory-trained musicians. His blues solos (and indeed, many solos on non-blues tunes) have plenty of stank on them.

The point is, it’s the style and attitude that make the blues the blues. Which is why In The Mood will only be found at society gigs. I actually played that tune last month at a yacht club. No stank required.

Hope this helps.

Grit....would be an apt synonym as well....attitude, maybe

 

[Dr G]

“Stink/stank” reminds me of the faces some musicians make as they “emote”. They look like they are smelling something real bad. John Mayer is famous for his faces. I think he spent a lot of his early years practicing in front of a mirror in an effort to look more authentic.

 

[Woodpad]

7 pages and no one has yet said that to play the blues, you have to put some stank on it.

You mean that old beer smell?

 

[Woodpad]

“Stink/stank” reminds me of the faces some musicians make as they “emote”. They look like they are smelling something real bad. John Mayer is famous for his faces. I think he spent a lot of his early years practicing in front of a mirror in an effort to look more authentic.

Seems to be important, a lot of young jazz players learned that face whilst in training.

 

[Targa]

Seems to be important, a lot of young jazz players learned that face whilst in training.

Should simply wear shades and grow a beard, (or wear a non gender specific fake one), and then you don’t have to emote unless you have a very expressive nose.