Which is easier Alto to Tenor, or Alto to Bari

[AATHSaxophonist]

Is it easier to go from Alto to tenor because the breath control would be more similar, or Alto to Bari because the fingerings would be the same?

[JSaxMiller]

For me, the transistion from Eb horns (alto, bari) to Tenor (Bb) is the hardest move. Of all the horns Bari is the most forgiving in the tone production department. Tenor is the most difficult. I have to live with the tenor to keep a decent sound and technique. YMMV.

J Sax

[couflinker]

The basic fingerings are the same on all the horns (mostly) but transpositions are different. The keywork can be much different and this doesn't have as much to do with being an alto tenor or bari, but has more to do with the manufacturer of the various horns you have.

If you have the same horn say a YAS 52 and a YTS 52, and they both play well then there is no doubt that going from alto to tenor is easier for physical reasons. If your horns are from different manufacturers then you have to make all the adjustments for the different keywork as well as getting used to different intonation characteristics. An alto and tenor that aren't similar can be a tough transistion. You could end up thinking that you are not much of a tenor player just because the tenor you have isn't on a par with your alto.

Another thing, you can't assume the same mouthpiece pairing will work the same on both. For me, I use Otto Links on both alto and tenor and love them, but only use a Berg Larson on my bari. You will want to experiment with your mouthpieces (no news there).

As to doubling or moving to bari. Its a different horn from either tenor or alto in many respects. The sound is considerably different - there is not the same sonic focus on bari - this is just a fallout from the acoustics involved. The musical parts tend to be different -there are many more bass lines (and rhythms) as opposed to meldoy/harmony/counterpoint lines. Then there is the weight of the lodestone around your neck or back and on (potentially) on your right thumb. You might want to buy one of those shoulder straps to play bari in order to take the load off everything else.

All that said, the move to bari is more likely to be more refreshing or inspirational simply because its more exotic. The extra stimulation can be a real rush. Playing the basement notes on a bari gives you a very cool physical feeling that cannot be equalled on alto or tenor. To paraphrase Harry Partch when discussing the Marimba Eroica: "the poorer generally are not able to experience a rippling sensation through their backsides by an art form". :lowbd: Do you really want to live the rest of your life wondering if you should have tried the bari earlier?

[hgrail]

I found the transition between alto and tenor to be more seamless - though I love playing bari now.

The biggest adjustment was that I had a harder time keeping my intonation through the octaves straight on bari (e2 and f2 are tough on most baris)-wheras on tenor I it was close enough to alto where I never gave it much thought. Learning to generate enough air to get through a low D though Bb 10 bar phrase and make it sound "pretty" took practice as well.

Getting a good harness helped a great deal as well in getting the load off of my neck. Don't put any weight on your right thumb - it will only slow you down and cause problems- the thumb rest is not for that. It's to keep your hand and the horn in the right place - not to support the weight of the horn.
Mulligan had his R thumbrest removed for a few years so he would get out of the habit of using it. I play vintage baris and find the thumbrests are in the wrong place for my hands anyway. My thumb usually is more comfortable under or over them.

Good luck - it's worth the journey