Is This A Common Experience -- Finding Out That You Are Better On A Different Sax?

Sounds familiar. I have a tenor, and when I bought my soprano, I flew over the keys as if I was a veteran in klezmer and gipsy. And then I bouht a baritone, and I honked away like I just couldn't on my tenor.

Until I compared myself with other soprano and bariton players, and found out that I'm a lot better on tenor, although I'm faster on soprano and I have less troubles with my tone on bariton.

I didn't buy an alt though. If there is one sax where I have a very satisfying tone, play with a lot of ease and a speed that is getting fellow sax players a bit jealous, it's an alt. Sounds like my thing, but I just don't play it. I'm not so much into alto. Soprano is great for whining klezmer or speeding through gipsy, tenor is a more full sound and bari is great to honk fat ska tunes. I just have no use for an alt.

So tenor it is, doubling on soprano and bari, and playing on alto whenever I get one in my hands

Oh yeah, I'm an amateur, started 3 and 1/2 years ago on tenor, 2 years ago on soprano and a little later on bari. I will stay an amateur, but I take playing very seriously.

NU2SAX said:

I find it easier to be expressive on the tenor, and just all around easier to play, easier to get a good tone, and I don't tense up as much when I'm playing it.

Should this tell me anything? Is it the horn or is it me?

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Sure, some horns regardless of size, are going to be easier to play. You'll only be able to answer this question by trying other horns. Still, it appears you really dig the tenor, so you definitely want to stick with it. Enjoyment goes a long way in holding your interest in learning new skills and becoming a proficient musician. Now if you want to keep up your alto skills as well, the only problem I see could be with ear training. The alto and tenor are in different keys, and being able to play what you hear could be confusing going from one horn to another. That's why you see a lot of doublers stick to horns in the same key; alto and bari, tenor and soprano. Still... when I was younger, I played all the horns I could get my hands on; soprano, alto, tenor and bari. Still play 'em all now. So basically, if you're just into reading music, and maybe joining a community band, I don't really see too much of a problem taking on both; though I'm sure more orthodox teachers on the site may disagree. But the goal is to have fun, and if playing alto and tenor give you enjoyment, well... there it is. Plus, should you join a community band with too many alto players, you can play tenor; or visa versa.

I Think it is more Common Than You Think

I read somewhere that Branford started on alto and that someone commented that he was hanging out all the time in the lower register. They suggested he try tenor. He did, and the rest is history.

I played primarily alto years ago. When I got back into playing the sax about two years ago, it was on tenor. I had never played bari at all, but I always loved Mulligan, Nick, Pepper -- and all of those old R&B tunes with the big fat bari in the middle.

So I bought one on a whim. The first time I played it I sounded good on it. The sound I wanted seemed to roll right out. And I tried some different brands of horns and some different mouthpieces and could get the sound in my head on most of them without too much effort. It just seemed to come naturally.

I'm still mostly a tenor player, and I love playing tenor. But I've had to work harder to get the sound I want on tenor. The bari comes naturally.

My point: Sometimes one horn will just come more naturally than the others.

I can get a pretty good alto sound too. But interestingly, I have found that getting the alto sound I want seems to screw up my tenor sound, at least temporarily. Conversely, playing bari seems to help my tenor sound -- probably because you have to relax your embrochure to play bari and have good breath support.

I tried soprano on a whim. But truthfully, there are very few soprano players I like and I don't dig the instrument. I definetly did not come naturally. So I got rid of the horn and punted that.

Even though it's kind of a pain in terms of learning tunes, I have decided to focus on tenor and bari. I'm trying to practice both horns every day. I'm hanging on to the alto to take on trips to have something to practice, but I don't play it regularly.

I will say this. I'm not sure why, but there are very few guys who play tenor and alto where I like both their tenor and their alto sounds. I heard one the other night, but he was a pro with many years of experience.

My two cents: Play the one -- or two -- that float(s) your boat. If the one that comes the most naturally is the one that floats your boat, that's all the better. But I think there is some benefit to focusing on a couple of horns rather than spreading yourself to thin.

NU2SAX said:

I started on alto almost exactly a year ago. I had wanted to try sax for a long time, and when I went into the music store to rent, the clerk suggested I start on alto because it would be easier to learn on than tenor. (Probably also because I'm older, female, and short). So that's what I did. I've tried several horns, and have taken lessons since October. I've now purchased a Cannonball and I do love it. But I've always loved the sound of tenor too. So out of curiosity I decided to rent a tenor, partly to try to understand the difference. Although hard to get used to the size after the alto, I've had no problem adjusting embouchure to the tenor, and no trouble in getting out any of the notes, (except moving between los C# to B and back again -- I sometimes jump up an octave in doing so), going through my regular practice routine on it, and using the play-along books I've use with my alto which also have sections for the Bb instuments. And playing along with the recordings I can tell that my tone is good. It's a Yamaha student sax so not perfect, but really pretty good. I find it easier to be expressive on the tenor, and just all around easier to play, easier to get a good tone, and I don't tense up as much when I'm playing it.

Should this tell me anything? Is it the horn or is it me?

I love both alto and tenor. Should I continue to play both or am I losing time from getting better on one?

Keep in in mind that I'm an amateur and will stay that way. This is for pleasure, although I do take learning the instrument seriously. I would like eventually to hook up with some other amateurs to play with and have some fun.

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I've been playing about 3 months now. I always figured that if I played sax, I would play tenor or bari. My first ax was a Selmer Tenor. Great horn, nothing wrong with it, but I just can't seem to catch a 'vibe' with the tenor...it's not so much about the lack of ability on the instrument or 'newbieness', it's just that I can't get a 'connection' with the horn. Maybe later.

I then got a soprano which I love (Mauriat saxello). I immediately felt a connection with this ax and was able to play it much better than the tenor. But I also wanted to be working on a 'main' ax....

so I picked up an old Naked Lady Conn alto from a friend of mine...BOING!!!!!

I still like the soprano, and I'm keeping the tenor with the assumption that perhaps with more experience and growth on the other horns I might be able to grow closer to it, but man the alto just SHOUTS for me. Don't get me wrong...I've got a LOT of work to do, but at least I feel like I've got a friend in my hands and mouth and not an enemy....

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