Alto players getting advice "u sound better on tenor"

3059 Views 12 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Dr G, Jun 20, 2007

garyinla

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2007

I like to stay mostly on alto. But when i double on tenor some people have the nerve to tell me "you know you sound better on tenor" "you should play tenor."

I get complimented on alto when i just play alto. But some people feel compelled to tell me those comments above when they hear me on tenor.

I dont like it because I think it has little to do with my skills or comparative sound on alto or tenor, and more to do with the fact that they LIKE tenor sax sound better. ALso i consider alto more of "my voice" and devote a lot more attention to alto playing.

Anyone else deal with these sorts of comments too? I know some alto players who REFUSE to play tenor although if they did they would sound good and get compliments.

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bfoster64

· #2 · Jun 2, 2007

I think you're right about it being primarily the listener's preference, and not based on your relative skill. I played a gig recently where I doubled on alto and tenor. Afterwards I asked a number of people which horn they preferred. The response was completely mixed, but almost everyone had a pretty strong opinion one way or the other. My conclusion was that some people like tenor and others like alto. It's just their preference.

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Toot Sweet!

· #3 · Jun 2, 2007

Anyway, most people listen with their eyes.

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milandro

· #4 · Jun 2, 2007

yeah,I've been taking up saxophone again after a very long pause, my teacher/mentor said. " how about tenor.... you should try that it would fit your style" (he mainly plays tenor) and so I did, but I am strongly convinced that I do a better job on the alto (at least for the time being) than the tenor. I like to play more than a horn though, I've played soprano several times but that is really not my thing.....looking forward to try a baritone at some stage. However, Tenor has more visual appeal especially when you are as big as I am (I am not huge but pretty big all the same)

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stefank

· #5 · Jun 2, 2007

I think that's fair enough. I do own an alto (just in case I need one in some sort of emergency), but (for me) tenor is what it's about - probably because it's closest to my vocal range. It may not be just that however (the vocal range) - different people (regardless of their voice) may be most comfotable in a particular range. Miles made some interesting comments about how he "thought" in a range lower than Dizzy and some other trumpet players.

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tensopbass

· #6 · Jun 2, 2007

I started on tenor, then changed to alto to get a chair in a better band. My teacher has pushed me hard to get a good alto sound, and now when I play tenor, the tighter chops and air support really make the tenor sing.
I guess that with the right practice, you can sound good on anything you want to.
nicko

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Rick Adams

· #7 · Jun 2, 2007

Hey Gary, I'd take it as a compliment, I doubt they're dissing your alto playing, just letting you know how much they like your tenor playing. Like you said, different people have different tastes, the ones who prefer you on tenor are only telling you they really like what you're doing, at least they're not suggesting you take up the spoons

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bjornblomberg

· #8 · Jun 2, 2007

stefank said:
Miles made some interesting comments about how he "thought" in a range lower than Dizzy and some other trumpet players.

Yes, I remember that statement from the autobiography. I think he also said something about a certain development in this regard, that in the early years he was more comfortable with the lower range of the instrument, but that he later on went on to "hear" better the upper range and proceed to play more in that range. I wonder if this could be a natural development, though. No comparison intended

, but for my own part I have always felt more at home in the lower range, specially on soprano, but even on tenor I enjoy the lower octave of the instrument a lot. Last few years I have been getting more interested in and comfortable with the upper range of the intstruments. Perhaps I will end up as a Soprillo-player around retirement age... Has anybody else got this experience too?

As for the original question, I agree that it seems most audience have a preference for one of the instruments, and I have a feeling more people tend to like the tenor. Especially for some jazz aficionados, there seems to be a relatively low esteem for the soprano, and this sentiment appears strongly connected to their opinions on Kenny G.

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fballatore

· #9 · Jun 2, 2007

Gary -

I'd have to agree with Rick. (What?!? Did I just say that?!?) Take it as a compliment, and leave it at that. Don't overthink it. So you prefer alto, some people prefer tenor - no biggie. Just take the compliments graciously when they come.

Funny thing is that in the short time that I've been playing, I've concentrated most of my time on alto by far, but lately, I've been playing more tenor. I think I sound better on tenor. Go figure.

Frank

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sycc

· #10 · Jun 2, 2007

While I prefer the Eb saxes(alto and baritone);I also play soprano and tenor. A saxophone is a saxophone is a saxophone. I think people make more of the differances than what there are. If you can play one well you can play them all but you will always have a preference.

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altobarisax

· #11 · Jun 20, 2007

sycc said:
While I prefer the Eb saxes(alto and baritone);I also play soprano and tenor. A saxophone is a saxophone is a saxophone. I think people make more of the differances than what there are. If you can play one well you can play them all but you will always have a preference.

I totally agree!

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Pgraves

· #12 · Jun 20, 2007

play precious alto, play big ugly tenor, what to do.. what what .. they makes me to play tenor.. what about precious alto.. tenor, alto, tenor, alto.. what to do.. I know.. I'll have to ...mustn't.. must.. yes that's it.. it will..

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