Help from you Smooth Jazz Alto players

[Keith Ridenhour]

I play mostly tenor but would like to pick up my Buescher Alto once in awhile (maybe on a gig). I am getting a "bop" tone from my Kessler NY piece which is easy to play, in tune and something I can handle. I trialed a Beechler (what marienthal supposively plays) and it was hard response and not any better. I realise that I'm playing a dark horn with limited projection? Anyway, for a Mindi Abear or Marienthal , Rangel type tone what would you reccomend? Dukoff?? (Unfortunately I can't afford a new horn and I barely have time to keep my tenor chops up. Thanks Keith

[Dave Dolson]

Keith: I sure don't consider my Bueschers to be "dark horns with no projection." I have three Buescher altos and they all project easily with a wonderful singing sound - very resonant. I realize one person's "dark" may not be another person's "dark", but mine are not "dark" by anyone's description.

As far as mouthpiece recommenations, you KNOW my position on that question. But, if you like the Kessler piece, maybe some experiments with Meyers will reward you. I find my Meyers (three different pieces) play similar to Kessler's alto pieces but with more authority (for me). DAVE

[Keith Ridenhour]

Dave, before I bought the Kessler I had a Meyer 5 that Dave Kessler was selling cheap. It had a thinner, more projective tone than the Kessler (to my ears) but wasn't any closer to a metal , stuff you hear on the radio tone. I did have a Dukoff 7 that Bootman worked on that played well and I sold it. (another one that got away??) I guess with right piece this buescher could sing.) K

[Balladeer]

Keith,
You can get close with a Vandoren Jumbo Java A45 or A55. Listen to Warren Hill; he plays an A55. These pieces are readily available, consistent, reasonably priced, and louder than the Beechler.

[Keith Ridenhour]

I like the Jumbos on tenor. I'll check it out, thanks. And I do like Warren Hills tone alot. K

[Razzy]

The thing about smooth jazz tone is that it's largely done with studio work. Dan Higgins gets an excellent smooth jazz sound out of his Meyer 5. Dukoff would definitely give you a little more edge but good luck finding one with a good facing.

[SaxyAcoustician]

I play mostly tenor...
That sorta says it all there. Try to spend more time on alto, I mean A LOT more time.

The Beechler metal will take some time to get used to. It took me years to learn how to play it.

[Razzy]

I've heard alto players on that Beechler piece and they all experience the same problem in a performance situation: when called upon to play soft, it's like the bottom drops out and they totally lose their sound. Perhaps this is something that can eventually by accomodated for but I wouldn't bother when you can simply change your airstream on a piece you're used to and get a similar result without the sound escaping you in soft playing.

[Keith Ridenhour]

I ordered a Vandoran A55 Jumbo yesterday from wW and BWs. We'll see. I'd like to have a piece loud enough and easy enough in tune to play on a gig if I wanted to. Thanks for the feedback, and as far as practicing more alto. I really enjoy it when I have an alto student because that is when I am able to play the horn alot more. I wish I did have more time? As it is I really need more tenor time to learn band tunes and make sure I don't embarass myself in public. Heres a clip from yesterdays winery gig. K
http://kride.net/music/cominghomeaug05.mp3
So, you can see the tenor isn't exactly "dialed in"> K

[Bootman]

Try a metal soloist or a baffled metal Link on alto, this should give you the sound. Also try a Lawton. the Yani metals can be ok too.....

[super20dan]

the runyon XL gives me this kind of sound and is much eaiser to play than a dukoff