Saxophone in Jazz
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Saxophone has been used in jazz since the swing era. There is almost no jazz ensemble, past or present, in which the saxophone will not play at least an important solo role. In most cases, you will find a quartet ensemble, that is, the rhythm part plus the saxophone. The resulting trio instrumentation excludes harmonic instruments such as guitar or piano. Pure saxophone ensembles are relatively rare, but due to the almost limitless tonal possibilities they play an interesting role not only in the border areas of jazz, as the World Saxophone Quartet or the Cologne Saxophone Mafia prove as two very enduring ensembles. Saxophones are also important in big bands, where they usually consist of the following elements: first and second alto saxophone, first and second alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. In order to be able to achieve an individual sound in jazz, the choice of equipment, namely the accessories, is also crucial in addition to the actual instrument. Not only the material of the mouthpiece (usually metal or hard rubber) and its shape, but also the design of the connection influences the sound. It is not uncommon for the mouthpiece to be subsequently adjusted in shape (“reworked”).
The first saxophone section of the early swing band in the late 1920s consisted of two alto saxophones and one alto saxophone (like Fletcher Henderson). As the orchestra expanded, so did the number of saxophones, initially with four musicians (two alto saxophones and two tenor saxophones), then as a standard lineup for big bands in the 1940s with two One alto saxophone, two tenor saxophones and one baritone saxophone. This formation is considered the standard big band lineup, although there are always different combinations and special sounds. An example of this is Woody Herman’s “Four Brothers” lineup, manned by three tenors and a baritone saxophone, or Glenn Miller’s saxophone led by a clarinet.
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In the 1950s, Billy Vaughan’s saxophone became popular, with the melody played (in two parts) by two alto saxophones in the high range. Usually, in a saxophone setup with multiple sounds set in parallel, the first alto saxophone is responsible for the melody and the baritone sax fills the bass line. The bass saxophone is rarely found in orchestras, but usually not as a member of the saxophone, but as a substitute for tuba or double bass.
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When a saxophone is used in a musical group, it is usually an alto saxophone (usually used in the lineup of a rock group) or an alto saxophone (occasionally used in rock music). If the three-part horn section is used in a pop or rock music combination, it usually consists of a saxophone (alto or tenor) and a trumpet and trombone. In larger (brass) bands of the more popular genre, saxophones (alto and tenor) often play secondary sounds
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