Klarinet Archive - Posting 000219.txt from 1998/05

From: ROBERT HOWE <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re:Soprano Saxophone
Date: Wed, 6 May 1998 08:04:59 -0400

Regarding soprano Saxophones, Hickling wrote:
>No, no soprano. I don't care if Bechet and Coltrane did play one, I
>think they're nasty, squally things that don't do anything a clarinet >can't do better.

>Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.net> <

What an absurd comment. How stupidly offensive. The soprano Saxophone
sounds "nasty, squally" when it is played by someone who envisions and
obtains a "nasty, squally" sound. I have a lovely Yanagisawa soprano
Saxophone which, when played with intelligence and the intent to sound
beautiful, is as supple and flexible and gorgeous as an oboe or a
flute. Bechet had a "nasty, squally" sound on clarinet, too, which
included a fast, wide vibrato--this suited the expressive needs of his
music, he was not trying to be Simeon Bellison!

Writing as a musician competent on clarinet and Saxophone, I can assure
you that the soprano Saxophone has many tonal and expressive resources,
especially in its lower and middle registers, that are not part of the
clarinet's bag of tricks. In notes corresponding to the throat
register,where the clarinet sounds thin, the soprano Saxophone is rich
and full.

I don't know Mr Hickling (for all I know he plays with the Chicago
Symphony, but this does not affect my argument), but I get tired of
clarinet players' idiotic condescension towards the Saxophone. Most of
what clarinet players don't like about the Saxophone is due to the fact
that not one clarinet player in ten who attempts to play the Sax ever
takes the trouble to learn to do so properly, with due attention to
mouthpiece, reed, embouchure, and tone production. Who remembers the
doubling clarinettist on this list who, a year ago, asked for a
fingering for high E on the tenor Saxophone, stating that he was doing
the show Cabaret, had never played Saxophone before, and that
"intonation was secondary"?? Do we inculcate this attitude in young
clarinettists?

Being an oboist first, I can pick up a clarinet, blow it with oboe
chops, and produce a "nasty, squally" sound or I can play the clarinet
like a clarinet should be played, and make nice music. You should show
the same courtesy to the Saxophone.

Flame away, guys & gals, I'm an adult and I can take it. Won't change
the facts of the matter one bit.

Robert Howe

"If you have to mike a clarinet, the rest of the band is too loud".

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