White Christmas on the straight alto by me on YouTube

[bobsax]

Hi Everybody
Merry Christmas to you All
It's Christmas Eve
and this is my 999th post
I recorded my group at a Christmas party earlier this December and just got it up on YouTube today.
It's a very rough recording (I'm both cameraman and saxophonist) but I thought some of you might enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUSvbdYeops

after tomorrow it's not going to get much traffic

-----Bobby

[ratracer]

Hey liked it Bobby!

Say, did anybody come up and ask you about that "big" clarinet?
Bet they didn't even notice.

Been a while since I've seen a straight alto! (if you haven't guessed that already! )

[SactoPete]

Very nice playing, Bobby.

Interesting about the shound of the straight alto... maybe it's my mind playing tricks on me, but it seems to really have a soprano-esque quality to the sound. I'm wondering if the nature of it being straight does that... almost a hollow resonance in the mid-range overtones of the horn. It doesn't sound bad at all, particularly with your skills - but it does seem distinct to my ears.... is that characteristic a well-accepted thing with these straight horns, or am I hearing things?

Pete

[kcp]

Yes, very nice playing - Thanks for sharing.

It's the first time that I hear what a straight alto sounds like. Interesting "sweet" tone. I love it.

[kwgrinnell]

Simply great, thank you.

[bobsax]

Thanks guys for the compliments.
this is post 1000

Very nice playing, Bobby.

Interesting about the shound of the straight alto... maybe it's my mind playing tricks on me, but it seems to really have a soprano-esque quality to the sound. I'm wondering if the nature of it being straight does that... almost a hollow resonance in the mid-range overtones of the horn. It doesn't sound bad at all, particularly with your skills - but it does seem distinct to my ears.... is that characteristic a well-accepted thing with these straight horns, or am I hearing things?

Pete

Hi Pete
It blows a lot differently then my bent horn (Mark VI) but that probably has more to do with Selmer Keilwerth differences.For one the pitch on the straight horn is a lot better especially in the high notes.
I'd like to compare it to a regular Keilwerth alto sometime.

I think it may sound differently to the player because the sound travels to your ears differently but I'm not sure about the listener?
Sometimes I think it sounds like an english horn.

The Runyon 6 with a 2.5 reed helps get the sort of classical sound I'm going for.
Believe it or not in my younger days I was a bit of a Sanborn clone and used a Dukoff 8 with a 3.5 reed.
I wish I still had the Dukoff, it would be interesting to try it on the straight alto.

[saxomophone3]

You have a really beautiful tone! I didn't know Keilwerth made straight altos!

[Saxland]

Sweet sound you have Bobby!!!!

Could you describe how the center of balance on the straight alto feels compared to a regular alto? It looks like it is more comfortable to play.

[bobsax]

Sweet sound you have Bobby!!!!

Could you describe how the center of balance on the straight alto feels compared to a regular alto? It looks like it is more comfortable to play.

At first it was uncomfortable and it bothered my right wrist.
It took awhile to get used to it.
As far as the fingers go I'd say it's harder to play but when playing in tight places while standing I'd say it gives you a little more room and it might be a little easier on the neck.