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Gospel Instruments => Gospel Horns => Topic started by: ferrente on July 25, 2006, 05:36:27 PM

Title: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: ferrente on July 25, 2006, 05:36:27 PM

Which sax or horn do you like to here with a Mass Choir?

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: ferrente on July 25, 2006, 05:37:32 PM

I guess they all sound good.
But, I readly like that Alto Sax.

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Zen_Micro on July 27, 2006, 02:24:45 PM

Quote from: ferrente on July 25, 2006, 05:37:32 PM

I guess they all sound good.
But, I readly like that Alto Sax.

Same Here!

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: visionmike on July 28, 2006, 12:08:21 AM

Without a doubt, the alto sax sounds the best!

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Cherri on July 30, 2006, 04:35:03 PM

Alto. Alto.

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: ShadowPhace on August 07, 2006, 03:52:21 PM

I would say the alto sax...because a tenor sax is to low to hear over a Mass Choir.

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: PianoWizard on August 07, 2006, 04:11:46 PM

I would put my vote with the alto sax...... ;D   :D   ;D.

PianoWiz...

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Ladymusic88 on August 07, 2006, 08:57:54 PM

The alto sax, for sure!

Ladymusic88

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: ferrente on August 08, 2006, 11:26:21 PM

Welcome to LGM  Zen_Micro

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: ferrente on August 08, 2006, 11:27:28 PM

Welcome to LGM  visionmike

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Wolfram on October 24, 2006, 08:32:30 AM

I have done both.

When asked to play tenor, I am required to play up in the altissimo register a bunch in order to make an impact.  The beauty of the tenor sax is the magnitude and attitude you can put into the overall sound.  You just have to have REALLY good chops and EXCEPTIONALLY good altissimo chops.
The other thing that is nice about the tenor is that you are in Bb.  That means that you are playing in a slightly simpler key than that of the alto.

My preference, as mentioned in prior posts:  The alto.

Why?  You are already higher pitched and can play fairly expressive counterpoint melodies without actually having to venture into the altissimo register much at all.  Now, if you can play there...  WOW is all I can say.  It adds mucho energy if you learn not to overdo it.  The alto generates a sizzle.  Your good notes are heard well... The down side is that so are your bad notes, so practice, practice, practice.  Expect to play in some wicked keys if you are playing with a choir.  C#, F#, Ab, Eb, etc...  practice those scales in with the scales that you normally practice everyday.  Play them FULL RANGE.  (See below for and example). 


Peace,

Wolfram


Full range scales:  Why?  Because music demands that you know how to play ALL of your horn.

Here is a Eb scale, full range:

going up - start on the lowest Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, (Top of horn)

Coming down: High F, Eb, D, C, Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb, start back up C, D, Eb

So, you play every available note in that scale all the way to the top of your horn, back to the bottom of your horn and then end on the scale's namesake.  Start practicing this with all your scales in eight notes at about a quarter note = 60 bpm.  Increase you speed when you can play ALL twelve major scales at this speed.

Best of luck!!!

Wolfram

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Saxman on October 27, 2006, 08:39:27 AM

Alto Sax  ;)  I like.

Title: Re: Which sax or horn sounds best with a Mass Choir?
Post by: Cherri on October 31, 2006, 08:24:27 AM

Greetings to the new memebers!