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Saxophone
Saxophones, a family of single reed instruments in the woodwind family of instruments, are often found in jazz ensembles and related bands. Questions about the various type of saxophones, saxophone players, and saxophone music belong here.
626 Questions
How can one tell if their Selmer alto saxophone is in tune?
How to tell depends whether you're talking about one person singing out of tune with others (who should be singing the same note), or one-person singing out of tune (with nobody else on a similar part.)
The answer comes out of physics. If two (or more) people are singing very nearly, but not quite, the same pitch, you will hear "beats". That means that you will hear moments, repeating in a regular pattern, in which the sound seems louder or softer. It comes from constructive and destructive interference, and the frequency of the beats is equal to the difference in frequency of the fundamental pitches. Think of it like common multiples. If one pitch (frequency in wave form) reaches a peak every 4 hundredths of a second (25 times per second, or 25 hertz), and a second pitch reaches its peak every 5 hundredths of a second (20 times per second, or 20 hertz), those two peaks will coincide with each other once every 20 hundredths of a second (5 times per second, or 5 hertz, the difference between the original two pitches/frequencies.) Note that if the difference is large enough, you will hear them as two distinct pitches, rather than "beats" or an out-of-tune note. So the long answer here involves the physics and calculations, but the simple one is that if you hear beats, the two pitches are not in tune with each other.
If you're singing a solo, there isn't anything quite so easily quantifiable to the untrained ear. You can learn over time to hear relations of pitches, but the math/physics don't translate as directly into the hearing on this one. "In-tune" as a concept doesn't change much, but it's in-tune based on relations to the pitch where you started, and not to a pitch that is still ringing at a given later moment, for ease of comparison. If you're asking primarily in order to keep yourself in tune, I suggest singing with a choir, where you will hear beats if your section doesn't match pitch quite accurately. Once you know what to listen for, it won't be difficult to notice you're out of tune, though fixing it is not as simple. As a soloist, you'll need to have a good ear since you don't have that comparison. However, it is very often vocal technique that causes people to sing a note sharp or flat, rather than failure to hear the note accurately. A very general rule, though, is that sharpness is caused by tension in the voice, and flatness is caused by insufficient breath support. So those are the things to address if you notice (by comparison with another instrument if you need to) that you're often going sharp or flat. The details of how to fix this can involve considerable training, and you should seek a voice teacher.
Hope that helps!
Why is the saxophone apart of woodwind?
The woodwind family of instruments is called as such because the noise is produced primarily by blowing air against a reed (the saxophone and clarinet) or across an edge (the flute). However, there are multiple types of each subset of instrument. For example, whistles and recorders are included in the flute family, even though one does not directly blow air across a surface. This is because you are directing the air across a surface by hand position and overall force behind the air itself.
Where do you find tenor saxophone sheet music?
Sometimes you can type "tenor saxophone sheet music" into your Google browser, and it might give you some free downloads of sheet music, but sometimes some websites will require you to make an account and usually pay for the music.
You can also go to your local music store and ask for tenor sax books. They'll probably have books with popular songs, songs from movies, certain genres, that kind of stuff. Hope this helps :)
What are the instruments in an orchestra?
There are four instrument families in the orchestra: Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The following are instruments that are regularly in an orchestra:
Stringed instruments in an orchestra include: Violins, violas, cellos, and double basses
Woodwind instruments in an orchestra include: Flutes, piccolo, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons
Brass instruments in an orchestra include: Trumpets, French horns, trombones, and tuba.
Percussion instruments include: Snare drum, bass drum, chimes, xylophone, timpani, triangle, tambourine, and many more, depending on the song.
Some pieces written for an orchestra require extra instruments, such as:
Harp (strings), piano, saxophone (woodwind), English horn (woodwind), and euphonium (brass)
A saxophone is an musical instrument that is played by blowing through a mouthpiece (usually made of plastic or hard rubber, some are made of metal for a different sound) that has a thin piece of wood on it called a reed. When you blow air, the reed vibrates and produces a sound. The thickness of the reed varies. The thicker the reed it, the harder it is to make it vibrate. A saxophone has many keys that you press down or lift up do produce different notes. This is how it makes sound, but there really is no way to tell you how to PLAY a saxophone and make music, for it takes lots of practice and there are many techniques and skills that are helpful/required.
Do all saxophones have the same fingering?
Yes, it is. Additionally, they're both in the key of B-flat. I'm not positive about the altissimo register (notes above the high-F, which are rarely called for except when very advanced), but I believe they are also the same.
What is the most used key on saxophone?
Different people like different saxophones. It depends what style and who you are. Tenor produces a jazzier sound, but you often sacrifice having the melody for a counter-melody, or sometimes even just tones in the background. Alto is generally a good choice for concert band. for marching band, the baritone or Contra-bass saxophone is a good choice, to enhance the band's sound.
As for brands...
For alto: stay away from yamaha. Julius Keilwerth st 90 series 4 is a good model, and my personal choice.
Tenor and Baritone : Selmer.
I do not play contra-bass, and therefore, cannot give you a good brand.
Does a mouthpiece affect your sound on tenor saxophone?
Another mouthpiece material is "hard rubber" and are commonly mistaken as "Plastic", since they are black and not made of "metal". Plastic mouthpieces are much lower in price, and break easily if accidentally dropped. Hard Rubber mouthpieces are more expensive and don't break as easily as plastic. Even though plastic mouthpieces are inexpensive some great players have used them such as Charlie Parker, who played on a white Runyon model 22, and also a white plastic Brilhart Tonalin.
The advantage of the metal mouthpiece is that it doesn't easily break, and the "face" of the mouthpiece (where the reed lays) isn't easily warped - something that can happen if you clean a Hard Rubber mouthpiece with hot water (only use luke warm water). Plastic mouthpieces will change their molecular make up if they are cleaned with acetone and sometimes are even sensitive to alcohol and consequently break easily.
Some people believe that "If the chamber's of any type material mouthpiece were the same, the listener would not be able to tell the difference between the 3 materials". This assumption has been proven wrong. There are some who can not only hear the difference but have won radio contests by being able to decipher the difference. This ability is not common, but has been proven to exist. Metal, Hard Rubber and Plastic mouthpieces have slight sound differences, but the biggest difference is felt by the player - who would feel the different vibrational characteristics. "
There are a lot of opinions on "makes" like "Selmer" or "Keilworth"and how they play with different mouthpieces. The recognizable sound of a saxophonist comes from their vocal chords. No matter how many different mouthpieces you use - the player is still identifiable, by their "sound". There was once a radio contest where the caller in was able to identify Zoot Simms impersonating Stan Getz. Zoot did a great job sounding like Stan, but the listener that new his "voice" was still able to tell over a radio speaker that it wasn't him (all the other calls guessed "Stan Getz"). Again, this ability is rare and for most people the difference is mostly felt by the player, so the real test is to record yourself and then listen to the differences. Some "makes" simply sound too "bright" with a metal mouthpiece, because the player's vocal chords already lean toward that type of sound. It's common for the band teacher to recommend for a student to get a new mouthpiece, when the problem is that the saxophone needs repair. Most players make the mistake of not finding a good repair tech, and then try to "fix" their sound by replacing the mouthpiece. Always make sure your instrument is in good playing condition before testing and or purchasing mouthpieces.
Important muscle to a saxophone player?
Buccinator, action: compresses cheeks (as in whistling); holds food between teeth during chewing.n(Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, Elaine N. Marieb pg. 132 table 12.1)
What are the notes to go tell aunt Rhody sax?
I found it in an online Recorder tutorial at http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/playing-recorders/playing-recorder%20-%200128.htm
What family does the saxophone come from?
Saxophones are from the Woodwind family because they are played from a reed, even though they are made out of brass.
Who are Famous clarinetists still alive?
Sabine Meyer of Germany, Stanley Drucker of NY, Richard Stoltzman of (Nebraska) teaches at New England Conservatory in Boston, Ricardo Morales of Puerto Rico but he plays with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Which section in the orchestra is the saxophone?
The saxophone is not part of the standard orchestra. However any composer or arranger might add one if he or she wishes. The British composer Ralph vaughan Williams used one or more on several occaisions.
Are tenor saxophones in the same key as clarinet?
Yes, essentially. There can be slight variations.
All saxophones have the same fingering system.
For example, the baritone saxophone might have a low 'A' key.
And a 'high F#' is something that is added to some saxophones too.
How do you play McDonald's theme on saxophone?
well i cant write music notes but here it is in letters CDEC CDEC EFG EFG GAGFEC GAGFEC CGC CGC JUST and repeat it
Why was the saxophone invented?
The saxophone was invented by a man named Adolphe Sax whose father also made instruments.
He wanted to have the crisp sound of a brass instrument (trumpet, trombone, tuba) and also wanted to have the mellow sound of a wood wind instrument (clarinet, oboe, bassoon)
Sax also wanted all of the saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone etc.) to have the same fingerings.
The saxophone was adopted by French military bands early on since the saxophone has more power than other woodwinds.
A number of changes have been made to the saxophone.
Most saxophonists believe that the Selmer Mark VI was the best saxophone manufactured.
Modern saxophones are continually being designed with the help of saxophone players.
Selmer, Keilwerth, Yamaha, and Yanagisawa are the top four saxophone companies.
What was the purpose of the alto saxophone?
Originally, the soprano was one of seven instruments in the saxophone family patented by Adolphe Sax in 1846. At that time the soprano might have taken the lead voice in a saxophone choir or served as the top woodwind voice in a military band. It has come to be used primarily as a solo instrument in jazz or popular music combos.
Because the soprano sax can sound shrill and is very difficult to play in tune, some people might say there is no good reason for Adolphe to have invented it.
Where can one purchase a toy saxophone?
only a few companies make REAL contrabass saxophones like orsi or eppelsheim they are made to order and usually made in itally so they are extremely expensive 20 to30 thousand dollars they are extremely rare and they are almost never on the market. you d have better luck obtaining the base sax. good luck to you!
What type of saxophone does Lisa play?
Lisa Simpson is the most prominent character that plays the saxophone. Also featured in several episodes has been Bleeding Gums Murphy. He has been Lisa's mentor regarding the saxophone,and the blues, a few times.
How is music produced in the soprano saxophone?
The way that the saxophone makes a noise is when the player puts their mouth on the mouthpiece, and the reed vibrates, sending waves of air through the saxophone, making a sound. The different pitches of the saxophone, or the different notes are determined when the saxophone player presses down fingering, therefor making the instrument shorter or longer.
Why does your saxophone don't sound jazzy?
It is called a sticky key. Look at the buttons. Do you see that most of them are not clamped down. When you find the one that is clamped down pull it up. Pull up all the ones that are clamped down just in case you get the wrong one
How many sizes are there in a saxophone?
From highest to lowest pitch: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone.
The Soprano and Tenor are keyed in Bb
The Alto and Baritone instruments are keyed in Eb.
The baritone saxophone requires more lung capacity and is probably too large for a younger student.
The soprano saxophone is the most difficult of these four to play in tune.
Therefore most students of the saxophone begin on Alto or Tenor try others after they have some proficiency.
How do you play E note on the saxophone?
To play an F put down all the fingers of the left hand (top of the saxophone) and the first finger on the right hand.
To have the note higher add the speaker key (with the left thumb)
The very top F on the saxophone, the left hand palm keys all held down, plus the top E key on the right hand side.
How do you play halo on saxophone?
You get the music and practice, then play and look if turns out well!
