bari in jazz?

[saxophonegrl_alto_bari]

dude- i play bari and i am have been envited to play in the skl jazz band. i don' no much about it. so i guess my q is how and what do i need 2 learn 4 bing ok at jass. i don't want to excell i just want to pass the class.:?

[GAS_Wyo]

Welcome to the forum saxophonegrl_alto_bari!

Playing the Bari in a HS jazz Band is the easiest part. I had no idea what jazz was about until I was a freshman in college. Like you, I was invited to play bari. The Bari anchors the chords in the section playing portions and helps with the rhythm while solos are in progress. If you've been playing bari, you already know how to do these things.

If you get a solo, you'll have to learn the scales of the chords you are going to encounter during the solo. Play these over and over until you've got the chord progression down pat in the meter of the song. Then start experimenting with some interesting connected melodies through those chords. I would also suggest recording the group's practice sessions and you'll know what you can do during your solo parts. Take it to the shed and listen/play until you're confident you know what you are capable of doing within the confines of that solo passage. By the time you get up on stage, this will be second nature and you'll think of something interesting to play when it comes your turn!

Also, get an open mouthpiece and some soft reeds...that combo takes you a long way toward both blending and solo'ing.

[Hurling Frootmig]

saxophonegrl_alto_bari,

The first thing I would recommend is that you listen to jazz. I would also recommend that you make it your goal to excel at it. If you come up short I think you'll still be pleased with the results and the other people in your section and group will appreciate you putting out 100% effort rather than 80% effort. A group is only as strong as the weakest player.

In terms of things to study, you should check out some of the lessons available from the main page of the forum at www.saxontheweb.net. The articles by Tim Price and Skip Spratt are especially useful.

No offense meant here but your post was very hard to read as it looked like something I would delete from my phone as a text message rather than a well written post. The forum doesn't have an official policy on the use of text messaging speak but it is easier for the other folks in the forum to use langauge that is concise and easy to understand.

[Brendan Muse]

If you're playing bari and you just want to pass the class, get out. Honestly. I don't want to offend you or anything, but to play bari for anything, you've really got to love it.

But if that's impractical, knowing all twelve major scales and Bb and F (or your G and D) blues scales will put you ahead of everyone else.

[CrazyMusician]

I agree with the others, especially playing the Bari, you can't walk in not 'wanting' to be there. The Bari is going to be the anchor for the entire saxophone section, and so if you don't put your all into being there you are only going to make it that much more difficult for the rest of your section.

Know your scales, that is imperative!!!! Don't be afraid to play out if you think you might be playing something wrong, that is a normal problem with people just getting into jazz. I understand that it is something you may not entirely be familiar and comfortable with but you are only going to learn if you try...

Also,I agree with the comment made about listening to jazz. Jazz isn't something you 'do'... you don't 'play' jazz, you 'live' jazz, even if it is only during that time of your life because outside of that group you are a classical player... get some recordings and spend a night just relishing in the amazing sound of jazz saxophone, for it is an amazing world to enter into :D

[CrazyMusician]

Some people to listen to recordings from, these are Bari players so you can focus on that gorgeous Bari sound that I have fallen in love with:

James Carter
Gary Smulyan
Ronnie Cuber
Joe Temperley

[DJ Mix]

Saxophone Girl Alto Bari,

Don't be put off by the extreme viewpoints heard in this topic. Just because you seem a little tentative, doesn't mean you have to quit. You're going into a new situation and you're understandably a little nervous. Over time you may get more comfortable and learn to love it...or you may not. It's up to you. Have fun.

As a bari player in a jazz band, you'll be anchoring the sax section..sometimes and playing with the trombone section...sometimes.

Another important thing to know is that it's okay to play loud on the bari, as long as you're not sacrificing tone quality for volume. It's rare in a jazz band that the director will say, "Too much bari sax!"

Good luck!
P.S. Please type in English;)

[namenotfound06]

Some people to listen to recordings from, these are Bari players so you can focus on that gorgeous Bari sound that I have fallen in love with:

James Carter
Gary Smulyan
Ronnie Cuber
Joe Temperley
Hey now don't forget the classics like
Serge Chaloff
Gerry Mulligan
Harry Carney (Especially, a must listen)
Leo Parker
Pepper Adams
Cecil Payne