Guys and Dolls Parts

[BPSAX]

Hi,

I will be involved with Guys and Dolls early next year, and I was curious as to which Reed Part has the main Alto Sax lines (such as solos etc.)

From what I could gather online, Reed 1 and 2 look like this:

Reed 1: Piccolo, Flute, Alto Sax, Clarinet
Reed 2: Flute, Alto Sax, Clarinet

Thanks for any help!

BPSAX

[housesax]

It's been a few years since I've played that book - (i usually do 2-3 pits a year), but in my experience the first book is almost all flute- the heavy alto and clarinet stuff is usually in 2-

[SaxPlayer1004]

Ya, I agree. Last time I did Guys and Dolls was 5 years ago I think and I was on Reed 2. I remember a few flute parts but not many, and the book was predominantly alto and clarinet stuff. Not quite sure there were a lot of solos per se, but it wasn't all that flute heavy. I do believe that all of the flute parts were double written as clarinet parts so if you don't play flute, you can get thru it on clarinet with no transposition.

[hakukani]

Ya, I agree. Last time I did Guys and Dolls was 5 years ago I think and I was on Reed 2. I remember a few flute parts but not many, and the book was predominantly alto and clarinet stuff. Not quite sure there were a lot of solos per se, but it wasn't all that flute heavy. I do believe that all of the flute parts were double written as clarinet parts so if you don't play flute, you can get thru it on clarinet with no transposition.

I read the reed 2 book about five years ago. I remember lots of clarinet with a little sax.

[Graysax]

I have played the reed 1 book a number of times - I believe it has the majority of all the sax solos (as well as flute, picc and clarinet solos as well). However if memory serves me well - they "throw a bone" into the other books as well.

Charlie

[BPSAX]

Okay!

I guess I'll go with Reed 1.
My flute and clarinet playing is decent, I just wanted the cool sax lines!

Cheers!

[MM]

This was reorchestrated and both versions are available. So it depends on which version is used for your production. The older version has very little flute and is more dorky but more period sounding. The newer one is more modern, more challenging to play and has more flute.

[Benny]

Yes, the new version (Doug Besterman) has a lot of flute and picc in reed 1, quite tricky and exposed at times. Reeds 2 has very little flute- you only play it in 4 or 5 charts from memory, but there is a LOT of clarinet in reed 2. Reed 3 has some nice soprano lines in it and reed 4 a few tricky bass clad bits. Otherwise pretty standard stuff sax wise.

[jaysne]

I've played the traditional version about 4 or 5 times, on Reed One. That is the book that has all the alto sax lead lines.

[SOTSDO]

Like most shows, Guys And Dolls sounds like it has more saxophone than it actually does. If you think about West Side Story, you tend to make the same assumptions, but in reality there is very little sax playing there.

In the version of GAD that I have played, I don't recall a soprano sax being used (and that was with players who would have loved to play one). Don't recall any bass sax either, and I have played every book except Reed 1. So, there is probably a reorchestrated version out there that most will never see.

One thing that I recall from my many trips through the books is that there is a critical lead alto solo at the beginning of the "Havana" number that is scored in the "Second Alto" book (Reed 2, I think). If your MD tries to do it with reduced numbers and that particular book is not covered, there is a curious sounding "dead" spot where things are supposed to sound all 1950's Cuba - make sure that the line is covered. As the baritone/bass clarinet/clarinet player is playing the claves at that spot, he is a good candidate for grabbing an alto and stepping up to the plate.

The best part on bass clarinet is the "Marry The Man Today" number - make sure that you have a good oily sound, and then go to town.

[hakukani]

Last time I did sound for G and D's, the percussionist played maracas and claves at the same time (so the wind player didn't have to). I was muy impressed!

[Benny]

Like most shows, Guys And Dolls sounds like it has more saxophone than it actually does. If you think about West Side Story, you tend to make the same assumptions, but in reality there is very little sax playing there.

In the version of GAD that I have played, I don't recall a soprano sax being used (and that was with players who would have loved to play one). Don't recall any bass sax either, and I have
played every book except Reed 1. So, there is probably a reorchestrated version out there that most will never see.
I meant bass clarinet, not bass sax.
Yes, the soprano sax is in reed 3 of the new version- written by Doug Besterman (who did 'producers') for the London revival at the Picadilly.