C melody in concert band

[CMelodyMan]

Does anybody know of any concert band arrangements that call for c melody saxophone?

[Chris S]

I don't. The only person that I could think of that would have written for this horn is maybe Grainger, however any versions that have been published in the last 30 years probably either have that part transcribed or gave that part to some other instrument.

Chris S

[Roger Aldridge]

I've used my c-melody a few times in concert band simply as an experiment to see how it's sound would fit into the ensemble. However, I transposed parts.

[goodsax]

I've used my c-melody a few times in concert band simply as an experiment to see how it's sound would fit into the ensemble. However, I transposed parts.Unless you were the director, how did you get permission for your experiment. In my relatively short experience, concert band directors don't appear to be too keen on sax players conducting experiments with things like c-melody saxes to hear how they sound. I think that would be a big improvement if they did, by I've found at least two who barely tolerate the sax section as necessary evils.

[Roger Aldridge]

Great question!

This was in a community concert band with an excellent director who has an open mind. At first he didn't realize I was playing a c-melody. In fact, he probably didn't know what a c-melody is. From what he could see of the horn I was simply playing a vintage saxophone. I sight-transposed the parts. So, you see, if I didn't say anything about it no one would have been the wiser. Of course, my buddies in the sax section knew what I was playing and they dug it. But, out of respect to our director I told him about the c-melody and he was cool with it. After trying it a couple of times I was happy with the experiment -- the c-mel sounded great in a concert band setting -- and I went back to my usual horn.

[goodsax]

That's a good story, and a good band director. I can tell you that if I tried that in one of my bands, I'd probably be asked to leave and never return. I kid you not.

[CMelodyMan]

Man you are SO lucky. I've been begging my school band director for months to let me play my c melody in the concert band, and he still hasn't given in, and he thinks that I'm an idiot for asking such a "stupid" question.

[bruce bailey]

Most of the pre-1940 marches contain a C Melody part.

[CMelodyMan]

Most of the pre-1940 marches contain a C Melody part.

Can you give me any examples?

[Saxer00]

Unless you were the director, how did you get permission for your experiment. In my relatively short experience, concert band directors don't appear to be too keen on sax players conducting experiments with things like c-melody saxes to hear how they sound. I think that would be a big improvement if they did, by I've found at least two who barely tolerate the sax section as necessary evils.




Director in my Community Band Loves the idea for me playing my c melody or even my new sopranino. just gotta get my new conn c in tip top shape.

[bruce bailey]

As far as the marches, you need to look on the score or folio cover and it will say if the part was printed. Most of the oldies have a C part but with reprints, they often (usually) leave it out.

[CMelodyMan]

As far as the marches, you need to look on the score or folio cover and it will say if the part was printed. Most of the oldies have a C part but with reprints, they often (usually) leave it out.

Thanks for the information Bruce.

[El Tigre]

When I first started playing sax it was on a hand-me-down C Melody from my mother. The band director at the grade school I attended at the time had me playing oboe parts.

[cmelodysax]

In an old book on US school bands, I've seen reference to C-Mels usefully playing cello parts. However there is no guarantee that cello parts are always written in 'treble clef'.....