Get a vintage tenor I feel that they have a better sound than the altos.: ) I myself have played a vintage alto and tenor so I know from experience!
tenor or alto more practical for comunity band
I have a yamaha 23 alto that just doesn't do it for me. I am wondering, should I invest the money in: a) overhauling it so it plays at it's best
b) get a vintage alto
c) get a vintage tenor
my favorite instrument right now is a cannonball soprano (useless for comunity band, right?) I am drawn to the lower sounds after discovering the C-melody (Martin handcraft). Do bands need altos more or tenors more? I remember the good old days of playing oboe...There are no oboes out there so every band and orchestra wanted me!
b) get a vintage alto
c) get a vintage tenor
my favorite instrument right now is a cannonball soprano (useless for comunity band, right?) I am drawn to the lower sounds after discovering the C-melody (Martin handcraft). Do bands need altos more or tenors more? I remember the good old days of playing oboe...There are no oboes out there so every band and orchestra wanted me!
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IMO, the altos generally have more interesting music to play in a community concert band. Not true, however, if your band is a swing/big/jazz band. Don't know which is needed more---around here there is an abundance of both. Ideally, have both a tenor and an alto and you can play whichever is most needed. Or go with your own preference for sound.
Or, best of all, return to the oboe and come play with us!
Regards, Ruth
Or, best of all, return to the oboe and come play with us!
Regards, Ruth
Here we go again. Beginner's Mind, not all bands are the same. If you are planning to play in your community's band, why not go to the source and ask the band director?
BTW, what do you mean that your Yamaha doesn't do it for you? That's a good sax.
BTW, what do you mean that your Yamaha doesn't do it for you? That's a good sax.
Yas-23 doesn't do it
It squeeks a bit (Even with my brandnew selmer mouthpiece)and has noisy keywork and a slightly bent neck (got it that way) The sound just doesn't excite me (though it's better than other 23s that I tried, they just sounded dumpy), Especially after trying out some vintage horns at a local store. I just don't feel it's worth the $500 to overhaul it. Am I being unfair to the instrument?gary said:BTW, what do you mean that your Yamaha doesn't do it for you? That's a good sax.
Get it adjusted... You might have some leaks and other probs. And to be honest, who in the audience really hears the keywork?
Sounds like me after I got my first C mel.
Alto just sounded thin after that!
My alto is a great horn but I stick to C mel or Bari now.
Maybe the Tenor is what you need!
Alto just sounded thin after that!
My alto is a great horn but I stick to C mel or Bari now.
Maybe the Tenor is what you need!
No! After the overhaul it might be worth the cost of the overhaul. Do the quick leak check and adjust. Also try some new horns. Old horns are fun to dabble with and have great sounds ,but when it comes to fast passages and precision action nothing can beat a well set up new horn.Beginner's mind said:It squeeks a bit (Even with my brandnew selmer mouthpiece)and has noisy keywork and a slightly bent neck (got it that way) The sound just doesn't excite me (though it's better than other 23s that I tried, they just sounded dumpy), Especially after trying out some vintage horns at a local store. I just don't feel it's worth the $500 to overhaul it. Am I being unfair to the instrument?
I've been playing in the same horn section for 20 years and have played every horn.( Including soprano) I like to see 4 altos, 2 tenors, and one bari. (Forty piece band )
In a really large band you could double that.
sax section lineup
Thanks! I was wondering if there was a more or less standard/preferred number and assortment for bands.mountainman said:I've been playing in the same horn section for 20 years and have played every horn.( Including soprano) I like to see 4 altos, 2 tenors, and one bari. (Forty piece band )
kindred souls
That is where I have been feeling like I want to go. Curse you C-melody! You have thrown a wrench in my machine!saxmong said:Sounds like me after I got my first C mel.
Alto just sounded thin after that!
My alto is a great horn but I stick to C mel or Bari now.
Maybe the Tenor is what you need!
When I decided to join out community band, I was willing to play either bari, tenor or alto (in that order of preference). So I went to one of their practices, to ask the director which he needed most. He said tenor. I looked around, they had one bari, 4 or 5 altos, and no tenors. Actually they did have one tenor, but he doesn't show up for rehearsals much.
So I play the tenor, and it's worked out well for me - the alto parts are more "interesting" meaning "hard." Being a beginner, I'm having enough trouble learning the tenor parts. Plus, with the music we play, the tenor parts are mostly harmony, so if I miss a note or a measure or three, it's not as obvious.
So I play the tenor, and it's worked out well for me - the alto parts are more "interesting" meaning "hard." Being a beginner, I'm having enough trouble learning the tenor parts. Plus, with the music we play, the tenor parts are mostly harmony, so if I miss a note or a measure or three, it's not as obvious.
And the tenor sax part (there's usually only one part) is always doubled somewhere else unless it is a solo. I'll play tenor in the concert band if they need it, but it is usually such a snooze.freeflier said:When I decided to join out community band, I was willing to play either bari, tenor or alto (in that order of preference). So I went to one of their practices, to ask the director which he needed most. He said tenor. I looked around, they had one bari, 4 or 5 altos, and no tenors. Actually they did have one tenor, but he doesn't show up for rehearsals much.
So I play the tenor, and it's worked out well for me - the alto parts are more "interesting" meaning "hard." Being a beginner, I'm having enough trouble learning the tenor parts. Plus, with the music we play, the tenor parts are mostly harmony, so if I miss a note or a measure or three, it's not as obvious.
I agree with the earlier post. Get the leak fixed. And it may not even be the horn. It could be you. Are you biting the reed? If so that could be the problem not the horn. However if gas is just eating at you, do the only logical thing, buy a new horn.
:twisted: GAS ATTACK!!!:twisted:
:twisted: GAS ATTACK!!!:twisted:
last semester i played in a college band that needed a tenor. alot of the sections of the music was doubled with trombone, bartone, etc but there were many distinct parts that were tenor only.
I only had 3 practices with them before the concert ... i'm still not sure if i got it all right !!
ask the director what they are playing and what they need most.
I only had 3 practices with them before the concert ... i'm still not sure if i got it all right !!
ask the director what they are playing and what they need most.
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