In Good Time or Good Sound

[ramZsax]

My two high school concert band and jazz teachers see everything eye to eye pretty much. One of the things they disagree about though (or so I've heard) is that one would rather heard Good tone even if the time is off, and the other thinks the opposite, he would rather hear something in good time even if the sound is bad... My opinion seems to change from day to day.

What do you guys n girls think?

[Dave Dolson]

ramZsaz: If I had to, I'd pick time because good tone is subjective. It may be that "tone" is not the issue, but rather "intonation."

MY problem with youth bands is intonation. When my grandson started saxophone, I emphasized that fingering a Bb is NOT the end of his responsibility . . . the bane of most young players; "I played the note, what else must I do?" I told him that not only does he have to play the correct note but that he has to make sure what comes out is on pitch AND consistent with the pitch of those around him.

I admire band teachers and their kids - a valient effort, indeed. But I cringe inside when I hear several players playing off pitch. DAVE

[Bnatural]

i at one point would of said good time w/o having any question of myself... but then i witched teachers and at the same time matured as a clarinetist/saxophonist and now i currently believe that both are important... they each have there place... Like for example in band when u sight read something if ur timing is off so everthing else.... but later on u could be playing it wonderfully and never being off but ur intonation could be bad so no one will want to listen..... i think it just has to be a healthy balance between the two

[rlowenote]

I feel both are important. Tone is important, and intonation also, especially when playing slowly in unison with others.

But timing, when playing with others stands out more to my ears. If several people are off, I hear a train wreck approaching.

But that's just what I hear!

Ralph

[dolphyo]

this is really walking on eggshells for me! tone yes. time very much a factor. if jazz is something of importance then by all means SWING. there is a school that for me led too the importance of time and not tone. the MICKEY MOUSE BANDS of the 20's,30's frank trumbauer,lester young, bud freeman, and especially in the modern vein with a critical emphasis on this idea;LENNY TRISTANO. ask your teachers this and if they can't answer, then jazz or maybe saxophone music is really HISTORY after all!