[Cpt Boril]

In your opinion, who is a good/great/excellent saxophonist and why?

 

[paulwl]

Broadly speaking I like to apply Duke Ellington's criterion about music in general. "If it sounds good, it is good." So if a saxophonist can sound good in a reasonable variety of contexts (ensembles, styles...) they are a good saxophonist.

The key to that IMO - beyond a decent set of chops and a decent ear - is taste. Any kind of music can be played tastefully. But it's as important to know what not to do as what to do. Be part of what's going on, not a sore thumb.

I'll leave the "who" question to others - I'm always more interested in whys than whos, anyway...

 

[bstrom]

Besides having all the obvious technical and professional skills, I think a great player brings something unique to the table in terms of sound, feel, phrasing and musical ideas. You can usually identify them by listening to their playing.

 

[Cpt Boril]

As Lester Young once said: "Originality is the thing. You can have tone and technique and a lot of other things but without originality you ain’t really nowhere. Gotta be original."

 

[Bkenes]

A good saxophonist must have posted at least 1000 posts on the forum :bluewink: Others are just great saxophonists because they have a good sound and are creative!

 

[Enviroguy]

A good saxophonist must have posted at least 1000 posts on the forum :bluewink:

That there would just be a novice. ;D

 

[RootyTootoot]

A good saxophonist must have posted at least 1000 posts on the forum :bluewink:

Yes. And the consensus is that you need to be in the 7000s or above to be considered truly great.

On topic: The phrase "play your notes and don't walk into the furniture" springs to mind ..

 

[hgiles]

Intent, Execution and Taste -- If one can play (execute) what one intends and do it with good taste...

 

[saxjah]

Often, other people.

 

[paulwl]

Often, other people.

Yeah. And to an extent that's as it should be. I can go all around saying "I'm good, dammit," and even if true, it will tend to make people think I am not that good. OTOH, you could play well in a style that is not fashionable or accepted. Was Ornette good in 1959? A lot of people would have said no.

 

[BOPITY FUNK]

As Lester Young once said: "Originality is the thing. You can have tone and technique and a lot of other things but without originality you ain’t really nowhere. Gotta be original."

Being original seems alien to modern thought, especially in music education circles. The world seems full of people wanting to be something or someone else.
Popular music --and that covers a very broad spectrum--is in a parlous state of mind numbing conformity.

 

[hakukani]

You know you're good when you're asked for by your name. The joke goes like this

1st tier

I need a saxophonist

2nd tier

I need <name of saxophonist>

3rd tier

I need someone that sounds like <name of saxophonist>

After 20 years:

Who?

 

[EFlat]

A good saxophonist can convey breadth and depth.... A great saxophonist does so just by walking in the room.

 

[Grumps]

To add to the music and play along well with others.

 

[Cpt Boril]

Being original seems alien to modern thought, especially in music education circles. The world seems full of people wanting to be something or someone else.
Popular music --and that covers a very broad spectrum--is in a parlous state of mind numbing conformity.

I totally agree with you! Very wise thought

 

[littlewailer]

As long as you entertain effectively. I'd say that defines a good sax player.

 

[bstrom]

How little money he has in his bank account?

 

[RandyJ]

The question suggests an opinion so I say his (or her) audience.

 

[Saxman96]

Besides the techniques, What defines a good saxophonist is being original and humble.

 

[jasonm71]

A person who makes great music with a saxophone is, in my opinion, a great saxophonist.