Hi iceman. For me, the music and musicians I like and listen to have always been a key factor, followed by my own fun, and finally the playing opportunities.
Tenor has been my favorite forever, or since I heard the Pink Panther as a kid. The epitome of saxophone.
I do play all 4 (satb), and can state 2-3 key names for all of them, the musicians which kind of inspire me.
I picked up baritone because I had an opportunity in a big band, and also because I loved Bruce Johnstone’s playing on Maynard Ferguson’s albums.
So in your case, what/who would be your inspiration and motivation to tackle a new horn ?

 

Hi iceman. For me, the music and musicians I like and listen to have always been a key factor, followed by my own fun, and finally the playing opportunities.
Tenor has been my favorite forever, or since I heard the Pink Panther as a kid. The epitome of saxophone.
i do play all 4 (satb), and can state 2-3 key names for all of them, the musicians which kind of inspire me.
I picked up baritone because I had an opportunity in a big band, and also because I loved Bruce Johnstone’s playing on Maynard Ferguson’s albums.
So in your case, what would be your inspiration and motivation to tackle a new horn ?

That is a great question. Other than wanting to learn tenor, and get to a point where I sound decent. I haven't really thought about it. Even though one of my favorite sax players, plays Tenor (Kirk Whalum). A lot of the others I listen to, play alto mainly, but do double on Tenor (Dave Koz, and Gerald Albright). Not to mention there are times where I find it easier to improv on it, then on Alto. It just that I can do more on Alto then Tenor in terms of Altissimo, and picking up things quicker by ear on Alto.

 

The problem is that you don't have a bari.

 

Lol.

 

I was an alto player first, and probably always will be foremost. Then came soprano because it was an expected double. Picked up the tenor for the same reasons as dex: fun, emulating players I liked, and more playing opportunities. Same for bari, and it's a great chair in a large group. When I focus on one more than the rest for a while I don't think of it as switching, just going through phases. I used to like playing alto and tenor on the same gig if I was fronting a combo and the only horn. The same way tenor players bring a sop for a change of colour.

Unless you're planning to sell your alto, why think of it as switching?

 

This a great question and one i've contemplated before. I am an Alto player but there are many gigs that require Tenor and so I play it for the gig and every time I really enjoy it but then I get my Alto out and boom I remember why I prefer Alto.

 

Well, I guess you really have to identify what your voice is. I made the jump from alto to tenor many years back because I was a fan of so many tenor players that I thought it was a direction I should take. However, there was always something I was not quite satisfied with playing tenor, it took me a while to figure it out but I realized that my voice, the sound that's most comfortable in my head is on alto. That's where I started, and I guess that's where I needed to be, so I went back. I still play some tenor and soprano, but alto is my main horn.

 

I was playing alto in high school and had the opportunity to join a band with real, paying gigs if I played tenor, so I borrowed a tenor and never looked back.

 

I switched to tenor many years ago (mid 70's) because it seemed more suited to playing the blues and I just preferred the tone quality of the tenor. Never really looked back, although I did go back to alto for a short period of time. But every time I'd hear one of my favorite players on tenor, I'd wonder what I was doing on the alto. Finally switched back for good quite a long time ago. Tenor is my 'voice' I guess. Maybe it's yours too; only way to find out is to play it for a reasonable period of time. Go for it!

 

Maybe you’d like to work? That‘s the best reason.
I heard Kirk Whalum last summer at a smooth jazz fest. Great player, great sound and nice concept. You don’t see many smooth jazz guys who prefer the depth of a hard rubber mouthpiece.

 

I recently switched to Alto as my primary (6 months or so ago) and started taking it to all my gigs as a leader and jams. Funny thing is, I started picking up more work. Also, guys seem to really like it. I've found that the market (especially where I am) is saturated with tenor players and playing alto, with a solid sound concept, immediately sets you apart. Plus guys know I have played a lot of tenor, so now I'm getting asked to do the gigs I used to only play on tenor on both (which is fine by me).

I was nervous to switch for many reasons, but it seems to be working well and I'm enjoying it.

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Well just getting some input here and seeing what others have done. I have been mulling over switching to another horn as my main horn. Currently, I own a soprano, alto and tenor sax. Alto has been my main horn, that I have been really trying to really master (which is up for debate). I have been playing sax for almost 25 years (now I have kind of falling off the horse, due to lack of motivation/discipline to practice). Not to mention all of those years I have played the alto mainly, due to being the horn I am most comfortable playing. The thing is I have been thinking about making tenor my main horn, but feel like I would be "cheating," on the alto. In regards to the soprano, I like it but my sound tends to have a shrill to it, when I get to the higher end of the horn (which kind of gets me). With all that said, for those of you who switched from another sax to Tenor or vice versa. What was your deciding factor to make the jump?

I recently switched from Tenor to Alto as my primary and I know the exact feeling you are talking about. I had tried the switch before but it didn't stick. I feel strongly about it sticking this time as I haven't had the desire to practice the tenor in about 6 months now, just alto. The difference was that I enjoyed picking up the alto even though I wasn't as comfortable with it as the tenor at that moment. There was just a fresh joy of exploring something new that felt right. For a few weeks I experienced that feeling you talk about, but then it subsided and I'm still going strong with alto. For me, it's about what is fun to play and inspires me to keep going. Hope this helps your outlook and good luck on your journey!

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I started on alto at the age of 13, having played clarinet for a few years prior. At 17, got an opportunity to be in a working band, it required a tenor, so I rented one for a year and learned to play it well enough to do the gigs. But when I graduated high school, I got a new alto as a graduation present, and went to college with my alto and clarinet. Stayed on alto only for the next 8 or 9 years, and learned to play flute. Finally it became obvious that adding tenor would improve my ability to get gigs.

Most of the working guys I know play both, and those that only play one concentrate on tenor.

I found that it took me about a year to get to the point that I was happy with the sound I was getting. (Side effect - I also found that learning to play tenor properly improved my alto sound.). Now I play both (and soprano too), and feel equally comfortable (or is that equally uncomfortable) on all horns. But I concentrated on tenor for that initial year or two. I did all my "woodshed" practicing (scales, patterns, improvisation) on tenor, I only practiced alto if I had to learn a difficult part for a gig. But I continued to play lead in a big band, and take other gigs on alto.

Now I switch horns for practicing every couple weeks or so.

 

We are all individuals. I prefer altos for their convenience - cuddle up on the couch / but I prefer tenor for it's seductive voice and annoying the neighbours. I try not to look at altos for sale but am always looking for tenors. I really really want a particular model Buescher Aristocrat tenor, nickel plated, to replace the one I had stolen from me years ago.

Listening to Suzanne Vega - drinking a Cooper's Sparkling Ale.

 

We are all individuals.

I'm not (shh!)

 

I have been on alto for about 20 years, and I switched to tenor lately. If you listen to sax players, surely there will be less alto players whose sound is appealing to you but you'll find thousands of tenor players, even when they sound really different( say Joe Lovano and Chris Potter) I really enjoy practicing on tenor and finding my voice in that horn, for me it feels more "complete" regarding range and tone. Palm keys are beautifull, on the alto they are a pain in the ass or you have to be really carefull. Simply put, I can spend all day playing tenor. On alto I am more picky and tend to get tired of the sound sooner. All that said I play alto once a week and enjoy the sound I get after all those years put in.

 

Well, everyone has their own experience. I've played a ton of tenor, and yet I still prefer alto and baritone. I think of baritone as my primary saxophone, but I've done a lot of work on lead alto, not so much in small groups. The years in rock and roll bands on tenor mean I've probably played more paying gigs on tenor than either of the others, but I've just never felt totally comfortable on tenor - it's just not my voice. It's a bit odd because alto and baritone bracket it, so it's not "too low" or "too high", it just doesn't speak to me like the other two.

I want to enjoy playing soprano, but I don't, not really.

Bass is just so cool, but I've come to it so late and the opportunities are so limited, that I'm not sure where it's going to go in the future. I've probably got about 20 years more of time when I would be able to handle the bass comfortably.

 

I started out on alto, switched to bari for a year, then finally moved to tenor and never looked back.
The thing that sold me on Tenor was watching Chris Potter. I managed to catch a live performance at the Blue Note many years ago and was just blown away by his sound.

 

I started on clarinet as a child, went to alto as a teenager and then found that tenor sounds a lot like my human voice as an adult. Baritone was great and I love it but I'm not big enough to haul that thing around day in and day out.

It was just easier to express myself on tenor while thinking in terms of my voice. That's why I have never been a very good soprano sax guy. It just doesn't "fit" me.

I consider myself equally adept and comfortable on clarinet, alto and tenor when it comes to playing but what I feel represents my "voice" and deeper emotion is the tenor so I "think" that I am a tenor player.

BTW, cheating on an alto is against the law in some parts of the country. Check with your local police sax crimes dept.

 

For what it's worth, I started on alto and the one horn that sold me on it for the longest time was my "New Aristocrat". And then I got a 1924 TrueTone tenor and the walls started shaking in the low register. But it wasn't until I got my 156 and an RPC 110B to go along with it that I just "forgot" the alto. I mean, I look at it and pet it once in awhile but I got my setup that has cured me from GAS for the last 3 years. And my bari is also woefully neglected but whenever I have a chance I practice bass and soprano (I play sop at small acoustic Sunday matinees and I just love the tone of them).

I don't think it is really a rationale decision, it is the same as with my guitars, there are some that I connect with and some others that may be better but I feel mechanic playing them.

 

If you have 3 horns, I'd just put away the ones not being played and focus on one without worrying about the others. I'm sure you'll get your alto chops back quick if needed and you can have fun with tenor (or soprano).

I've been looking at altos because there are more out there for cheaper... (I started playing again after a long break and am renting a tenor for now). I'd be thrilled to have all 3!

I hear you on the "falling off the horse/mastery" stuff. I play guitar and drums also and have some issues on sorting out my focus/goals. I have a mental thing with playing multiple instruments (it is easy to stress about what to focus on and feeling like I'm not giving any one enough time...and won't be good enough (for me) at any of them from bouncing around).

What is strange is I don't really even really like playing guitar...but am a dang solid player. Same with drums... They've both turned into chores. (I'm sure finding a band could help with the feeling). I'm hoping I can stick with sax without old injuries. I really enjoy playing it. end ramble.


Have fun with the tenor for a while!

 

I got my cheap tenor just because it was such a deal but as soon as I blew in it I was hooked, such a beautiful tone compared to my alto. The alto feels nimble to play and very easy but the tenor's voice just speaks to me. I think we have a sound in our head that we like and when you get it you want more, whether it's alto, tenor or whatever. You have to go with what inspires you. I got a yamaha classical guitar this year and it inspired so many new tunes, totally worth the money.