Klarinet Archive - Posting 000248.txt from 2004/07

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] re: clarinet to saxophone
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2004 00:02:55 -0400

Ton,
There are 3 considerations here:
1) While the embouchure is more similar between clarinet and alto, you
don't have to do any strange transposing with a tenor (that is, assuming
that you know how to do Bb transposition already). I have found that as
soon as you get used to it, doing alto transposition isn't so bad. And
it's good exercise for the brain. That said,
2) What style are you going to play? I have found that Tenor sax works
better in the wedding band circuit. If you are expecting to do
orchestral and a little teaching and maybe occasional big-band, alto is
as good a choice as tenor.
3) How strong are you. Tenor saxes are HEAVY - both to carry in a case
and to hold while you are playing.
Oh, a 4th thing: I have found that tenor is a very strange kind of horn
to learn. Alto was easier for me. You can 'control' and alto. It behaves
rather like a clarinet. With tenor, it is more a matter of: you blow and
what comes out comes out. If you try to get fancy with the tone,
dynamics, etc. the instrument tends to chirp and crack notes.
DISCLAIMER: not all players feel this way but conservatory-trained
clarinetists who have tried to take up sax have told me I'm not alone in
making this observation.

Fred Jacobowitz
Kol HaRuach Klezmer band (new CD out!)
Ebony and Ivory Duo (recording due out in December)

TON NGUYEN wrote:

>> Hi everybody,
>>
>> I'm a new member at Klarinet and I play the B flat soprano clarinet,
>> but now I also want to learn to saxophone. I like both the tenor and
>> the alto sax, so my question is that is it a better transition to go
>> from my B flat clarinet to a B flat tenor sax or from the clarinet to
>> the E flat alto sax, or if it doesn't matter. Does anyone have any
>> opinions and recommendations for me?
>> Thank you
>>
>> Ton
>>
>>
>

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