Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Saxophone
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Saxophone
What is a saxophone?
The saxophone, colloquially called the sax, is a single reed instrument invented by Adolphe Sax in the early 1840s. Even though it is made of brass, because it does not use overtones as a primary means of tone production, it is a woodwind instrument. Sound is produced by the reed vibrating against the mouthpiece and the player opening and closing tone holes by pressing keys to change the length of the conical tube. There are four main members of the saxophone family: the soprano saxophone pitched in Bb, which is usually straight (as opposed to the curved shape of the other saxophones), the alto saxophone, pitched in Eb, for which most of the solo classical repertoire is written, the tenor saxophone, pitched in Bb, which has the strongest association with jazz, and the baritone saxophone, pitched in Eb.
How are saxophones used?
Adolphe Sax wanted to create an instrument that had the powerful sound of the brass family, but with the celerity of the other woodwinds. 19th-century composers experimented with the saxophone in the orchestra and eventually it caught on in European military bands and later American concert bands, particularly in schools. Saxophones found their way into early jazz groups, like those led by Louis Armstrong and saxophone sections of four or five saxophones (usually two altos, two tenors, and one baritone) became staples of jazz big bands of the 1930s and 40s. Saxophonist Charlie Parker founded the modern jazz movement in the late 1940s and early 50s and the saxophone migrated over to rock and roll where it remained popular through the 1980s.
What composers have written for saxophone?
French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy is probably the most famous composer to have written a solo work for saxophone. Ives, Ravel, Gershwin, Shostakovich, and Rachmaninoff have all used the saxophone in their symphonic works. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton all wrote for a full jazz big band with five saxophones. Rock songs by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, James Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Steely Dan all prominently feature the saxophone.
Here are some famous saxophonists and musical examples of the saxophone to check out:
John Coltrane - Impressions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03juO5oS2gg
Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen) - Jungleland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMq5XRGWh_E
Count Basie & his Orchestra (Big Band) - One O’Clock Jump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4G7bJhY6_c
Ravel - Bolero (tenor at 5:55, followed by soprano at 6:50) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9PiL5icwic
To learn more about Anthony, visit his Teacher Page.
The saxophone, colloquially called the sax, is a single reed instrument invented by Adolphe Sax in the early 1840s. Even though it is made of brass, because it does not use overtones as a primary means of tone production, it is a woodwind instrument. Sound is produced by the reed vibrating against the mouthpiece and the player opening and closing tone holes by pressing keys to change the length of the conical tube. There are four main members of the saxophone family: the soprano saxophone pitched in Bb, which is usually straight (as opposed to the curved shape of the other saxophones), the alto saxophone, pitched in Eb, for which most of the solo classical repertoire is written, the tenor saxophone, pitched in Bb, which has the strongest association with jazz, and the baritone saxophone, pitched in Eb.
How are saxophones used?
Adolphe Sax wanted to create an instrument that had the powerful sound of the brass family, but with the celerity of the other woodwinds. 19th-century composers experimented with the saxophone in the orchestra and eventually it caught on in European military bands and later American concert bands, particularly in schools. Saxophones found their way into early jazz groups, like those led by Louis Armstrong and saxophone sections of four or five saxophones (usually two altos, two tenors, and one baritone) became staples of jazz big bands of the 1930s and 40s. Saxophonist Charlie Parker founded the modern jazz movement in the late 1940s and early 50s and the saxophone migrated over to rock and roll where it remained popular through the 1980s.
What composers have written for saxophone?
French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy is probably the most famous composer to have written a solo work for saxophone. Ives, Ravel, Gershwin, Shostakovich, and Rachmaninoff have all used the saxophone in their symphonic works. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton all wrote for a full jazz big band with five saxophones. Rock songs by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, James Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Steely Dan all prominently feature the saxophone.
Here are some famous saxophonists and musical examples of the saxophone to check out:
John Coltrane - Impressions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03juO5oS2gg
Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen) - Jungleland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMq5XRGWh_E
Count Basie & his Orchestra (Big Band) - One O’Clock Jump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4G7bJhY6_c
Ravel - Bolero (tenor at 5:55, followed by soprano at 6:50) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9PiL5icwic
To learn more about Anthony, visit his Teacher Page.