Are you talking about an alto saxophone? Most of people agree that Bueschers are more suitable for classical music. I think the Pre-Chu is the more suitable for classic music of the Conn family.
College Help.
Ok, I am in the middle of a trade, and I may be trading my Martin for a Conn Chu Berry. However, I would like to know the General opinion of these horns for Classical work in College. I know they make fine Jazz horns, but other than that, how do they rank in other type's of music?
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With the right mouthpiece/reed you can blend in a classical setting, but you may have to work a bit harder on the intonation than with a modern horn.
One of my friends at school plays a late Chu Berry (or early tranny, however you want to think about it). He doesn't play classical exclusively, but more than most I would expect. He loves it. I suspect that it has more to do with what mouthpiece you use rather than the horn.
The one I am looking at is a 1929 I believe or 1928 Conn Chu. I am not worried about the college snobbery. I just want something that can play all styles well.
I say go for it if you like the sound. Then you can play around with different mpcs for classical sound you need.
Since if I get this horn, I will be using it hopefully though college. What is the worst that could happen if I used this horn, in a Classical setting?
Looks of scorn from the "serious" students.
Just play the thing and you will learn if it/you can get the job done in a hurry.
Just play the thing and you will learn if it/you can get the job done in a hurry.
I see that your location is North Texas. Will you be at UNT in the fall? If so, I would urge you to contact Prof. Riggs or Prof. Nestler for their input on this important decision, as it may well impact your success in the program. My opinion is that, if you can only have one horn, it should be a modern professional-level instrument. If you're headed elsewhere, contact your future professor. I often advise my incoming students on this decision.
The worst that can happen with the wrong horn? Poor audition, poor ensemble intonation, failing your jury based upon poor intonation, inappropriate sound concept or clumsy technique, etc., etc.
Good luck!
The worst that can happen with the wrong horn? Poor audition, poor ensemble intonation, failing your jury based upon poor intonation, inappropriate sound concept or clumsy technique, etc., etc.
Good luck!
No, at this point I have no interest in going to UNT. I am planning on keeping my 23 at least for marching band. And I have a Selmer Tenor. I guess I have a rater borad question. Do students usually show up to college with a 23 to play. And I know Juries are involved but Do I have to play Alto for Juries, or can I play Tenor?
Play whatever you want. It will be reflected in your grade however. Alto is your money horn in school, tenor is a sideline.Carbs said:And I know Juries are involved but Do I have to play Alto for Juries, or can I play Tenor?
I'm not sure what trading your Martin for a Chu Berry is really accomplishing, if you are looking for a horn to take you through college. What makes the Chu better? They are both about the same vintage (I think you play a Troubadour), and both are atypical college horns. Maybe you would be better served trading both your Martin and YAS-23 for a modern horn that students typically use for serious study. Some teachers say Yamaha, others Selmer. (Although Bueschers appear to be the one vintage horn that people do say you can go to school with.) I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just asking whether you've really thought through the necessity/practicality of the trade you are considering. How far down the line is college for you?
I got a few months before I start auditioning for bands. I would really like to get a way Used Selmer Pro Model. I have considered a few options. But I am having trouble trading for a horn.
I almost know what I need for college. I need a Pro. Model Alto from one of these brands.
Yamaha
Yani
Kelworth
Selmer horn. Maybe a Cannonball. The problem is that as soon as they jump up they dissapear.
I almost know what I need for college. I need a Pro. Model Alto from one of these brands.
Yamaha
Yani
Kelworth
Selmer horn. Maybe a Cannonball. The problem is that as soon as they jump up they dissapear.
I would agree as far as the modern pro horn for college. Back when I was auditioning at many various colleges (Ithaca, Duquesne, Penn State, etc.) which were classical based, everyone who auditioned was playing a Selmer Series II horn, myself included. I ended up going to Berklee, because I wanted to play jazz dagnabbit. It was the right choice. But if you are going to be doing classical work, the series II or these days, III will be realllly prominent.
At Berklee, guys had every horn you can imagine, Conn's, a lot of VI's, VII's, and modern Selmer's and the like.
At Berklee, guys had every horn you can imagine, Conn's, a lot of VI's, VII's, and modern Selmer's and the like.
I have several Martins, Chus and pre-Chus. I actually like the pre-Chu for most of my playing. I am a classically trained player who now plays mostly big band. The pre-Chu has a more usable fingerboard, the G# is not as distant as the Chu and the bis key is nearer to the B key. I used a Mark VI for over 30 years and it is a great horn but the Conns are the winners for sound. I have 3 of the Conns ready for sale right now and may be interested in your Martin.
One important thing is to know exactly which Martin you currently have. If it is a later one, I would say keep it. Call me if you need more info.
305-667-4925
One important thing is to know exactly which Martin you currently have. If it is a later one, I would say keep it. Call me if you need more info.
305-667-4925
I would have to agree with Bruce. I would rather trade a Martin Handcraft for a Chu as opposed to "The Martin Tenor". The few "The Martin Tenors" I have played were really good, solid sounding horns. On a later Martin, a simple change in mouthpiece could remedy your problem.bruce bailey said:I have several Martins, Chus and pre-Chus. I actually like the pre-Chu for most of my playing. I am a classically trained player who now plays mostly big band. The pre-Chu has a more usable fingerboard, the G# is not as distant as the Chu and the bis key is nearer to the B key. I used a Mark VI for over 30 years and it is a great horn but the Conns are the winners for sound. I have 3 of the Conns ready for sale right now and may be interested in your Martin.
One important thing is to know exactly which Martin you currently have. If it is a later one, I would say keep it. Call me if you need more info.
305-667-4925
There have been several used Series II and III horns for sale on the Forum recently - if I remember right, one guy had to knock almost a thousand off of his asking price, and it took awhile. That said, I think the final sale price was around $1500. That fact, combined with your statement that you are looking for a "way used" Selmer, tells me that you are looking for something you can acquire for less than $1000. Am I guessing right? If so, I don't think you're going to be able to grab a Series II or III. You might be able to get a used Yani or Yamaha pro model for less than $1000 if you include your Martin in the deal. Yanis and Yamahas seem to come up for sale fairly regularly on the Forum. For added price flexibility, you might consider the older models - like the 880 for Yani, or the 875 or (old) 62 for Yamaha, which have modern keywork but just aren't the latest each company has to offer.Carbs said:I got a few months before I start auditioning for bands. I would really like to get a way Used Selmer Pro Model. I have considered a few options. But I am having trouble trading for a horn.
I almost know what I need for college. I need a Pro. Model Alto from one of these brands.
Yamaha
Yani
Kelworth
Selmer horn. Maybe a Cannonball. The problem is that as soon as they jump up they dissapear.
That all said, if you've actually heard or played the Conn and are in love with its sound (and the keywork is manageable), then by all means go for it. I just wanted to be sure that you've thought about what your actual goals are for the horn you are about to acquire.
Good luck.
P.s.
One more thing -- your YAS 23 is not a piece of junk. Put a good mouthpiece on it and it can take you pretty far on your way. I used a YAS-23 all through college for bands/private lessons (although, importantly, I was not a music major) and got many compliments on my sound, and encouragement from several teachers that I could "do this for a living" if I wanted to. I was using a Morgan on it, and it looks like you play a Meyer, which should work well too. For classical, the good old S-80 should work just fine.
If you are truly cash-strapped, and striving for a pro-level modern horn, you might consider selling the Martin outright, and playing exclusively on your 23 until you've saved enough cash for a used pro horn. That might move you closer to your goal then moving "sideways" with a trade for yet another vintage horn at this time.
OK, enough advice from me. Good luck.
One more thing -- your YAS 23 is not a piece of junk. Put a good mouthpiece on it and it can take you pretty far on your way. I used a YAS-23 all through college for bands/private lessons (although, importantly, I was not a music major) and got many compliments on my sound, and encouragement from several teachers that I could "do this for a living" if I wanted to. I was using a Morgan on it, and it looks like you play a Meyer, which should work well too. For classical, the good old S-80 should work just fine.
If you are truly cash-strapped, and striving for a pro-level modern horn, you might consider selling the Martin outright, and playing exclusively on your 23 until you've saved enough cash for a used pro horn. That might move you closer to your goal then moving "sideways" with a trade for yet another vintage horn at this time.
OK, enough advice from me. Good luck.
Thanks
I have read every one of your responses at least twice now, and thanks so much. I have been trolling the For Sale Section, hoping to find someone who would be willing to trade with me. I have looked for everything from Series I's all the way to ST-90's, and SX-90's.
The horn that had the grand nocked off was a Series III Soprano. And he wouldn't take trades for it. Thanks for all the advice.
I am going to troll for another week, and hope to get lucky. After that I am shining it up, and placing it on Fleabay.
I have read every one of your responses at least twice now, and thanks so much. I have been trolling the For Sale Section, hoping to find someone who would be willing to trade with me. I have looked for everything from Series I's all the way to ST-90's, and SX-90's.
The horn that had the grand nocked off was a Series III Soprano. And he wouldn't take trades for it. Thanks for all the advice.
I am going to troll for another week, and hope to get lucky. After that I am shining it up, and placing it on Fleabay.
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