Adding one...tenor or soprano?

[drrodgers2002]

Alright...I am thinking of getting another horn. I play an alto now (original Super Action 80 model) and I am trying to decide on soprano or tenor.

I really prefer the sound of the soprano and will probably get more play with it in my setting. However, it is my understanding that it is very difficult to sound good on a soprano.

Any thoughts? Recommendations on used/new/brand/models appreciated.

Also I am still looking for a great teacher in the Atlanta area if anyone knows of one.

Regards,
Jeff

[Gandalfe]

More gigs for soprano than tenor? You must be doin' Dixieland. I say go with your heart because anything a human decides to do can be done. So assuming you can figure our either sop or tenor, but knowing you prefer sop makes it easy.

The higher the instrument, the more it stands out in an ensemble. If you have a good ear and can adjust your pitch on the fly, you'll be okay or better. If you can't do this very well, you might want to consider tenor. Not knowing your skill level makes this a hard question to answer.

[drrodgers2002]

Sorry. I should have shared a little more.

I am a dentist by trade. :]

I play a little here and there, church, etc. but I am not a pro. I played fairly seriously through college and a little after but for the last 10 years it has been hitting the books and building a practice.

Now I have some time on my hands and would like to develop things a little further.

I have no real idea where my skill level is relative to the grand scheme of things. I am now reading and ordering and playing all I can with some Aebersold play-a-longs and reading a lot trying to develop some improvisational skills beyond the very basic stuff I have now which is basically knowing the chords technically but can't do anything with them so I muddle through by ear.

The last paid gig I had was some studio work 10+ years ago.

So...what else can I tell you to help? :]

Suddenly I am thinking of Steve Martin saying "I grew up a poor black child..."

Regards,
Jeff

[ALBRAZ]

Jeff,
I just went through a similar process. I played alto in HS and College. Then started playing again after 30 yrs. I ended up buying both a soprano and a tenor. The soprano frustrated me. It was not the horn; it was me. I could not get the emotion of the music through the horn. I found I really like the mellow sounds from a nice warm tenor. Now when I play for pure enjoyment in the evening I choose the tenor more than the alto. An hour of time just evaporates and I feel much better.
I had too many toys and two kids in college so I sold the soprano.
From the use of the word "practice" it sounds like you are a professional.
I suggest you actually buy both the sop and a tenor and see which you like best. If you make a wise purchace you can sell the other and not loose too much and consider the money the price of education. Or maybe donate it to a band program and take a tax write-off for it.
Good luck.

[drrodgers2002]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. And I like the idea of buying both tenor and soprano and then getting rid of the one I don't want.

To that end...

An opportunity has arisen for me to buy a very slightly used Selmer Series 51 soprano. I have seen pictures but I will not be able to play the horn prior to purchase.

I am a little leary of that but it seems to be a great deal (about $1500) that I also hate to miss it if I shouldn't. I have never played this particular model so I wanted some feedback from you experts out there.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Jeff