Differences Between the types of Saxophones

[mleong]

I am very new to this instruments. I have a stupid question to ask: What is the difference between the Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Sax?

Thanks


Michael

[Harri Rautiainen]

I am very new to this instruments. I have a stupid question to ask: What is the difference between the Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Sax? Very brief answer:
Size and range (i.e pitch). This picture gives an idea of size differences:

from left to right:
sopranino, soprano, alto, C-melody (tenor), tenor, baritone, bass and contrabass.
For more information: http://www.saxontheweb.net/Links.html#General

[gary]

Michael - they also have different tone colors from one another, although these colors can overlap from one horn to another. The sound you are likely most familiar with is the tenor sax, which is somewhat in the male voice's singing range. Many of the times you will hear this horn in rock bands and in smooth jazz (not to mention it as a mainstay of jazz).

It's cousin, the alto sax, is a bit higher pitch. If you've heard David Sandborn, that's an alto. Soprano is probably most identified (don't shoot me my brothers) with Kenny G.

The Baritone, is just that, a lower cousin and a baritone voice.

[JfW]

Shiz!

That Contrabass is TEH HUEG!

:shock:

never seen them compared to scale side by side like that.

[Amy]

Is it true contrabass saxes take three people to play it?

[Harri Rautiainen]

That Contrabass is TEH HUEG! :shock:
never seen them compared to scale side by side like that.
I should add that the picture is courtesy of Paul Lindemayer who is known to frequent the SOTW forum. It is from Paul's book "Celebrating the Saxophone" which I believe is out of print currently.


Is it true contrabass saxes take three people to play it?
Amy, it should be so. I have seen only pictures, but seems that one player can handle it alone:
http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/SideStreetStrutters.html
-Harri

[mleong]

Thanks everyone. I have just visited the Yamaha site and have a very brief idea of the different kind of Sax and how they looked, but had no idea what are the differences. Now I have some idea.

michael

[TheNickStevens]

I don't think it's possible to assign three people to a Contrabass Saxophone; it's intended for one player.

[MissNiceness]

I don't think it's possible to assign three people to a Contrabass Saxophone; it's intended for one player.

Yes, but that one person has to have some incredible set of lungs! :shock:

[BASS SAXMAN]

Yes, but that one person has to have some incredible set of lungs! :shock:

Not as much as you would think. Less than a bass flute.

[NissanVintageSax]

Not as much as you would think. Less than a bass flute.

Imagine playing the Sub-Contra Bass Flute! When I heard and saw that on Youtube, it looked like a tangle of pipes, and sounded like he was playing 4" Schedule 40 PVC pipe!

[BASS SAXMAN]

I enjoyed the contrabass flute, but couldn't really hear the subcontrabass.

[saxjd]

mleong:

I am a little unclear or what your questions is, but I'll make some observations from my perspective (perspectives vary). The alto is most often the first instrument learned. It is the instrument for which most of the standard works of legitimate/classical is composed. It is most plentiful in concert bands and orchestras. Most consider it the basic saxophone.

The tenor is the next most common and in used in concert bands and, like the alto, in jazz ensembles. It is also what I would consider the basic saxophone for jazz and rock playing.

The baritone is also a standard instrument in concert bands and jazz ensembles. It is less often seen as a primary jazz solo instrument. It is also seen in rock bands.

I think of the soprano as a special case. It is not a standard instrument, in the sense of the alto, tenor, and bari, in concert bands or jazz ensembles (big bands). It is often played as a double in jazz and concert bands, however. It is not an uncommon jazz solo instrument but it most often a secondary instrument for a tenor or alto soloist. Kenny G is an exception-primarily a soprano player who plays tenor as a secondary instrument. It is a standard instrument in most college and professional sax quartets.

To me, the horns have somewhat different personalities, but this may be affected by my approach to them. The alto and tenor I consider general purpose horns for jazz. Either seems to work on almost all standard or jazz standard tunes. To me, I play alto a little more aggressively than tenor. I play more laid back, in general or tenor. I use soprano for sax quartets and for selected tunes with a jazz group. It seems that a lot of soprano players choose to play either aggressively (e.g. Coltrane or Leibman) or smooth jazz style (eg Kenny G). I play it in the middle but only use it on select tunes.

Learning to play soprano seems to be challenging for a lot of folks because of the smaller mouthpiece and the relative intolerance of the horn to an untrained ear.

If your interest is to play classical type music, by all means start on alto. If you desire is to play jazz or all types of music, alto is still, in my opinion, the best place to start. The transition to tenor or bari is easier than from a lower horn to a higher one.

I hope this helps some. Keep in mind, its just my perspective.

[DavyRay]

If you look at Harri's avatar, that is him playing a baritone saxophone.

[Buck Laughlin]

mleong:

I am a little unclear or what your questions is, but I'll make some observations from my perspective (perspectives vary).

He asked his question over 5 years ago (and hasn't been back since), but I'm sure other people have the same question, or will in the future. I'm surprised this thread got revived, but I'm glad it did. It's refreshing to see how helpful and pleasant people were back then.

Buck

[DavyRay]

Darn, I usually look at the date on a thread. I missed this one being so old.

[saxjd]

I never noticed the start date. Thought it was new!

[soybean]

saxjd, i just have to say; what a thoughtful and complete article you wrote. It should be a sticky somewhere here… perhaps in the beginner's area.

[saxjd]

saxjd, i just have to say; what a thoughtful and complete article you wrote. It should be a sticky somewhere here… perhaps in the beginner's area.

Thanks.