Saxophone

The saxophone is a wonderful instrument. As a member of the reed and woodwind family of instruments it is usually compared to the clarinet or flute. As an instrument that could reach four octaves, there is much you can play and plenty of room for experimentation. Saxophones are normally made of brass to create their colorful, characteristic sound, but some, in the past have been made of copper, silver, bronze, and even plastic. There are four main saxophones that are commonly used which are soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. Soprano and tenor saxophones are in the key of Bb and alto and baritone saxophones are in the key of Eb. There are also the less commonly known Sopranino in Eb, bass in Bb, Contrabass in Eb, and subcontrabass in Bb. These…

Sheree Buchli Title: Physics of the Saxophone Investigated Summary: 1. Summary-Definition/Description of Alto Saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgium instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. 2. Aim With this paper I am discussing existing knowledge on the physics of the Alto Saxophone, in particular the creation of sound. Introduction: 1. History The Saxophone is an instrument with a single…

The saxophone is one of, if not, the most played woodwind instruments available. It is just a very popular instrument in general for its unique sound, instrument variations and versatility, and difficulty of play. The instrument is generally made out of brass metal and produces sound through the vibration of a reed, or a piece of wood put in the mouthpiece of the instrument. The sound travels through the inside of the horn and comes out at the end projecting it out with a pitch (or note). The…

What design aspects need to be taken into consideration, when creating a saxophone mouthpiece for an ideal tone, and long lasting durability? I currently have been playing tenor saxophone for approximately 4 years, and been practicing relentlessly to become a better musician. One drawback to the saxophone is that it’s a very finicky instrument, in that every piece of equipment contributes significantly to the overall tone. Saxophone mouthpieces play a great role in the areas of tone,…

did you know that the saxophone is featured in almost every genre of music? Or maybe that there are currently 13 different kind of saxophones. The saxophone is one of the most used instruments in music today. Today it can be engraved and is a shinier nicer looking instrument. Back when it was first made though it wasn’t the most eye catching piece, but the sound it made caught the attention of many people. It’s sound though was used, and is still currently used in a lot of music today. The…

The ending of the song is what really makes these songs completely different. The trumpet comes back in for more of a solo. The next song up is “Airegin”. It is five minutes and one second long. It starts off at a quick pace. The trumpet and saxophone are both playing, however, soon the trumpet really takes over. This solo last for a very large part of the song and ends after two minutes and thirty-six seconds. Then the saxophone comes in and begins its own solo. This solo with last until the…

I began playing the alto saxophone when I was in fifth grade. I was barely big enough to be able to play it, but my elementary school music teacher encouraged me to play the instrument that I wanted to play rather than what would have better suited my current size. I have learned several other instruments since first picking up a saxophone, but I have never been as inspired to further my progression with them like I have with saxophone. I have enjoyed playing in different bands, settings and…

Have you ever wanted to play the most notable instrument in a band, or have the glory of being one of the most original instruments to this day? If so, the tenor saxophone is perfect for you! The tenor saxophone is a woodwind instrument that is very outstanding in jazz musical groups and is also one of the most important sounds in a concert or marching band because it plays the inner harmony parts or doubles the melodic lines in a musical piece. The Tenor is pitched in B flat and is larger and…

The album Time Out was recorded in 1959 by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. The quartet featured Dave Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. Dave Brubeck was not known for his outstanding musicianship like that of Paul Desmond, Brubeck was well known as a composer and bandleader. Paul Desmond was the best musician in The Dave Brubeck Quartet and he brought his soft, melodic, and imaginative style to the band. Desmond was one of the best known…

The saxophone proved to gain acceptance when it came to America. Oddly enough, a woman by the name Elise Boyer Hall (1853-1924) was the first to perform on and let the United States know how truly incredible the saxophone is. She began learning the saxophone while she was recovering from typhoid fever. She commissioned many solo works from world renowned composer that had written for this new instrument. A few of these composers include Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy and Georges Bizet.…