Klarinet Archive - Posting 000088.txt from 2005/12

From: "Ted Casher" <tedcasher@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] clarinetists who go over to the dark side and get a soprano sax :-)
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:07:27 -0500

Ted Casher here. I have often said that the soprano sax is an instrument
for those who lack the intestinal fortitude to practice clarinet!

I own a straight Selmer Mark VI that I purchased in a hock shop in 1975. It
is a fine instrument, and I sometimes take it out on a Dixie gig to give my
cohorts the choice of another sound. Emilio Lyons overhauled it!

BUT: The soprano has dirty frequencies built in it! Try playing it in
unison w/a trumpet! It sounds like 2 dogs pulling a cat apart----

I have encountered soprano sax lead in the writing of Thad Jones. Also,
Charlie Barnet used soprano as a lead instrument in the original recording
of Skyliner. In these instances, the soprano works.

However, I have stopped taking the instrument to gigs, as, whenever people
catch sight of it, they immediately ask for certain selections by He Who
Shall Not Be Named!

Only when a bride or groom makes a specific request for one of those pieces
of music for a first dance, will I bring the thing out!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Smith" <gary622@-----.com>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:29 AM
Subject: [kl] clarinetists who go over to the dark side and get a soprano
sax :-)

I don't have anything to say, I just thought I'd demonstrate proper
trimming and the ability to change the subject line.*

No, seriously, I was wondering -- I have seen so many soprano saxes in
the hands of non-clarinetist sax players who were trying to cover
clarinet parts that I'm honestly wondering - how often does one
encounter honest-to-goodness soprano sax parts in their respective
gigging as a clarinetists or clarinet/sax player? I've been thinking
back and while I play alto, tenor, and sometimes bari sax, I don't
know that I've ever been asked to play sop. sax, nor have I been given
a sop. sax part and asked to cover it on clarinet.

Not trying to diss the instrument or those who love it and/or play it
a lot - just wondering what kind of jobs people are doing where they
use it.

Also, Roger, what kind did you get and how do you find the intonation
compared to clarinets and/or bigger saxes you may have played?

On 12/12/05, Roger Hewitt <rogerclarinet@-----.uk> wrote:>
> Roger H
> (UK)
> ps I've just bought a soprano sax, so I suppose I'll need to start
> reading the sax comments now.

*I realize some people will still take me to task for putting my reply
OVER the original. So to throw them a bone, I've put this footnote at
the very bottom.

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