What kind of sax player are you? (SATB other?)

[Helen]

As I was reading the postings under the number of horns poll, I started thinking of what my main horn is, and how I describe myself when someone asks what kind of sax I play.

This got me curious how many of what types of players we have out here in the SOTW community.

I don't consider myself a soprano player, although I own 2 of them. I would say that I'm a primarily a tenor and bari player. But if I could only pick one, I would say tenor, because that is the horn that gets used the most, followed by bari.

[MarkD]

Generic. Soprano, Alto & Tenor.

[Roger Aldridge]

Interesting poll!

I'm not quite sure about how to respond. My main horns are clarinet, soprano, alto, and c-melody. Each one speaks to me in its own way and I like each horn equally well.

However, I tend to play the c-melody more than my other saxes. There are a couple of reasons for this. I have a tonal concept firmly in mind for soprano and alto. However, the c-melody is something different and I find that my concepts of it are changing and evolving. There's an excitment about this process of discovery that's really cool.

The other thing about the c-melody is that when I shed it a lot it's kind of training with weights. The horn is larger than an alto and, very importantly, has more resistance. With the c-melody it takes more effort to project your sound, fill up the room, and stand your ground in an ensemble. Thus, when I play my other horns they feel incredibly easy blowing and responsive.

[Joseph Boucher]

Eb Alto Saxophone. Joe.

[William J. Dillard]

Same as Joseph Boucher, above--E-flat alto.

[Goin4DaTone]

Alto, Tenor, and looking for a Bari

[Joseph Boucher]

I just bought a new tenor sax. So now I play both alto and tenor. Joe.

[SopranoSue]

Soprano. It's the only one I own currently.

[Chris]

Tenormadnessman!

[MPL]

Baritone only. I'm not confident enough in my alto or tenor playing to ever play one in public again!

[Tootles]

Different Saxes in different stages of life:
from 5th grade to 10th I played exclusively alto
from 11th to my 2 years at SDSU I played mainly Bari, with some alto
my three years working at a dead end job and just tootling around, Soprano
Now, I really love my "C" Buescher and plan on playing it on a CD with my father, and plan on playing Tenor in community band ( I feel bad for neglecting her for all these years) and I love playing my beautiful Bari every now and again. But for my endeavors now... I play my "C"

[Riff]

Tenor.

Alto when I have to, like when the lead alto player in the band is sick. I'd much rather play tenor than lead alto. But then, some songs do sing better on alto. When Sunny Gets Blue, The Work Song, Del Sasser, Alfie, It Might As Well Be Spring, to name a few.

Soprano once in a blue moon.

[SAXBUM]

Alto and tenor. Mostly alto.

[Lyle]

I am still learning on tenor. I tried an alto the other day in a music store. It played easily, and I liked the tone. I may get one, and it may be easier (for me) to learn than tenor. When I say "learn" I mean, pro quality! 8)

[synchro]

I only own an Alto at the moment so that would be it.

[2thmechanic]

I'm an alto player. At various times and for various reasons, I blow a little tenor and a little baritone, which I enjoy a lot, but when I really want to "come home", when I really want to be me, I get out the alto.
Dave

[saxtub]

Alto. It's the only sax that I ever played and I'm not looking to make a change now. 8)

[BlueNote]

I own a soprano, tenor, and an alto, but I prefer playing the tenor on most occassions.

[Tenorsaxer]

Tenor

[UOPJohnny]

I started playing tenor sax back in 8th grade. I played it all though high school, but when I got to college 2 years ago I was made to take up alto for the purpose of studying classical saxophone.

My heart's still with my tenor. I perform with it often, but log more hours in (especially in practice) with the alto.

[Greyduster]

Tenor, but I'd quite like to try others. I still count myself very much as a beginner so I'll just keep plugging away at the tenor.

[samsax]

Alto Sax only.

[Howlin]

Love them all (SAT) though I prefer to perform on tenor. I am keen to find a bari and blow the roof off! :twisted:

[Razzy]

The one I probably most enjoy playing is the tenor, I just love the tone and the medium range of it. However I play them all equally well, in my opinion. Like most of the other SATB folks out there, I play alto and tenor more often than bari and soprano, but still make a point to play bari and soprano often! I practice 3 or all 4 on any given day to keep my playing up on all the axes. Started on the alto, then switched to bari in 8th grade, picked up tenor in 10th grade, alto again at the end of 10th, and soprano about 6 months ago. They're all pretty much at the same level, with maybe alto being a little ahead of the rest because I practice it more and play in ensembles on it more often than the others.

[Billy The Fish]

Tenor.

I started on alto, but took it to work one day and showed it to a friend. He commented that it looked like a mini-saxophone, and asked me (in all seriousness) if I planned to "upgrade" to a bigger one when I improved :shock: . I had to go out and buy a Tenor that very weekend just to reassert my manhood :? Less a comment on altos, and more a comment on my personal insecurities :oops:

The alto still gets a regular workout, as there are some songs for which she sounds better than the tenor, but as soon as I got the tenor home from the shop I knew I had found true love <swoon>.

[MarkSeven]

I do play the Tenor and Bari occasionally, but the Alto is my main axe.

[michaelbaird]

I love my tenor first and my alto next.

[Minatar12]

I started out on alto the summer before my freshman year at highschool started. A lot of people sometimes switch to tenor after a few years, but I fell in love with the Alto's sound, so I stuck with that. Plus, in jazz, there are a lot more famous tenor players then alto, so I wanted to be a little bit different.
I also do a lot of soprano saxophone soloing. I've done a bit of tenor, but its far behind alto and soprano.

[saxlife]

Alto Sax.

[tubbycub]

I play primarily the alto in symphonic bands but had played the baritone in a big band. The big band is going to move me to the tenor next month. What am I?

[TempestFLiGHT]

Eb Alto.. i've only been playing for like.. a year now :shock:

last year i was a freshman in high school and i just walked in with a sax my sister used before... i was originally supposed to play clarinet, but the school didn't have any more and i owned an alto so i thought what the heck...

i've played the tenor before.. handsome sound ^^

[akira329]

Alto sax only but soprano sneeks in sometimes but it's so hard to play in tune.

[werkinsnake]

Primarily I play alto, but I'm equally at home with Soprano and Tenor.

[blueboy]

Strictly C Melody.

Just kidding, alto.

[Dr G]

Over the past 30+ years, I've studied, owned, and played several of each sop, alto, C-mel, tenor, and bari, but TENOR is my voice.

[brian91301]

alto and bass(guitar). How much does a bass saxophone cost anyways?

[phathorn]

Over the years I've played from soprano to bass...currently alto and tenor, though those antigua sopranos that dave kessler carrier are tempting.....

[werkinsnake]

Hey brian,
A bass saxophone will cost 10 to 15 grand. Even the old CONNS from the 20's fall into this catagory. The new Selmer Series II Basses will cost in the ballpark area of 15 to 20 thousand. That may sound like a lot, but when compared to a contrabass saxophone, (I've seen two of these horns go for a whopping $60,000) they are in a reasonable price range. The two contrabasses I've seen were not even in great condition either.

ps. If you find a 7ft tall saxophone somewhere in your basement, I'm telling you right now that they are worthless, and as a public service, I will personally get rid of it for you. :lol:

[gary]

Big band, combo: Tenor
Soul band: Tenor (some alto)
Wind Ensemble: Alto

[zadu]

S-quartet
A-big band,and concert band
T-other concert band

Wanna B too, they're kinda pricy for me.

[SAXE]

ALTO SAXOPHONE.

[Adam-]

Almost only soprano, sometimes alto. I don't own any oyhers yet, but I want a sopranino! 8)

[sw3119]

I play alto and tenor almost equally.
I used to consider myself primarily a tenor player.
That was when my tenor was a better horn than my
alto. Now I have a new alto and I'm not so sure
which is more prominent.

[Randall]

Mostly tenor...but now play SATB fairly often withe a little bass sprinkled in...

[Randall]

Mostly tenor...but now play SATB fairly often with a little bass sprinkled in...

[GenericGuy]

Wow... I really have to go with Generic on that poll!

But, my standard answer to the question "Which saxophone to do you play?" is "Whichever one the gig pays me to play."

[retromom]

NEW :)

[RS]

90% bari. 10% alto, soprano, and clarinet.

[BlueNote]

95% tenor. 5% alto.

[Brendan Muse]

I play bari, but the duel in my head between my lack of money and the feeling that Adrian Rollini's playing gives me is starting to push me towards the bass.

Of course, I can also blow a mean alto or tenor, and I'm better than mediocre at the bass clarinet, but those are just gravy.

[Altoman5]

I'm more of an alto man, even though my friends think the tenor suits my personality more. I play alto, tenor & soprano but I started on the alto and it always been my main instrument. I started on the alto and I will die with my alto.

[Nobby Keys]

Tenor for last 35+ years. Bought a Sop recently so am just getting into it.

[Nobby Keys]

Posting also helps my rating - I should soon be a Member. How can I be a Junior Member at 54. Who thought of that?

[benjamin1979]

I play alto and sop and sometimes tenor. But i'm also kind of SEX player. :)

[averageschmoe]

yes.