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Re: Negative effects of saxophone?

Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2010-06-03 11:56

GeorgeL,

You've really got it there.

I've played clarinet, alto and tenor sax, as well as bass clarinet regularly in three of the community bands that I have played with over the years. You do move around the band and get to meet a lot of really great people that you would not know very well if you "played the same instrument, and often the same part, for most of that time."

One funny story was last summer I was working with one band and a couple of pieces had very exposed alto sax solos. No one could really hack it so the director moved me from 1st clarinet over to alto. All went well for the concert but the biggest hoot was that several of the older females in the section "voted that I should stay with the saxes." They were too funny.

On the different instruments I have played in community bands and the "fun/work" factor. This might be helpful to potential future doublers.

1. Clarinet: lots of great parts but the 2nd clarinet is really tough as you are around the break all the time with some really difficult passages (ala Ron Nelson compositions). There are usually some really bad players in this section (intonation problems, poor technique, and bad work ethic). Sometimes it is really frustrating.
2. Alto sax: my favorite of all but too many in the section really screws things up. For some reason, many players forget to tune!!!!!
3. Tenor: a real snoozer but it's great to sit by the baritones and trombones; they know how to have fun.
4. Bass clarinet: a wonderful instrument with some interesting parts. Modern band compositions are best.
5. Bassoon: talk about using a lot of fingers with awkward changes; OK parts.

Playing bari sax is great if you have an instrument that is in top working condition.

HRL

PS Gordon, the Reed III book for Chicago has 5 instruments and some really hard changes. I know your pain.

Post Edited (2010-06-05 03:42)

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Negative effects of saxophone? new

mikeyarbulu

2010-06-01 19:16