Gourt > Arts > Music > Instruments > Winds > Woodwinds > Saxophone (34)
The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored instrument of the woodwind family, usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece like the clarinet. It was invented by Adolphe Sax around 1840. The saxophone is most commonly associated with popular music, big band music, and jazz, but it was originally intended as both an orchestral and military band instrument. Saxophone players are appropriately called saxophonists.
History
The saxophone was developed circa 1840 by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian-born instrument-maker, flautist, and clarinetist working in Paris. Although he had constructed saxophones in several sizes by the early 1840s, he did not receive a 15-year patent for the instrument until June 28, 1846. It was first officially revealed to the public in the presentation of the bass saxophone in C at an exhibition in Brussels in 1841. Sax also gave private showings to Parisian musicians in the early 1840s. He drew up plans for 14 different types of saxophones, but they were not all realized.
The inspiration for the instrument is unknown, but there is good evidence that fitting a clarinet mouthpiece to an ophicleide is the most likely origin. (Sax built ophicleides among other instruments in the late 1830s.) Doing so results in an instrument with a definitely saxophone-like sound. The Hungarian/Romanian tarogato, which is quite similar to a soprano saxophone, has also been speculated to have been an inspiration. However, this cannot be so, as the modern tarogato with a single reed mouthpiece was not developed until the 1890s, long after the saxophone had been invented.
More on [ Saxophone ]
Composers :: Composition
Service and Repair :: Winds
Clarinet :: Woodwinds
Country :: C
Jazz :: J
Saxophonists :: Bands and Artists
Rock :: R
Saxophone :: Woodwind
Winds :: Instruments
Reeds :: Accessories
Winds :: Sheet Music
LeRoi Moore, 46, Saxophone Player, Dies
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:26:19 -0000
Mr. Moore’s fevered riffs embroidered the distinctive music of the Dave Matthews Band with florets of jazz and funk.
Ronnie Drew, Folk Singer and Guitarist Who Founded the Dubliners, Dies at 73
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:30:17 -0000
Known for his distinctive long white beard and deep voice, Mr. Drew also sang with the Pogues and other rock bands.
Music Review: New Focus, New Home, Same Sonic Grandeur
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The Walkmen showed perspective as well as purpose on Monday, in its first of two consecutive shows at the Bowery Ballroom.
NPR Topics: Music
Bernard Greenhouse: A Master And His Cello
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Master cellist Bernard Greenhouse, 92, and his 300-year-old Stradivarius cello have been constant companions for the last half century. Greenhouse was a founding member of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio, which plays its final U.S. concert at the Tanglewood Festival in Massachusetts.
Mates Of State's Family Band Solution
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:24:00 -0400
Mates of State's music has only gotten richer and more rewarding since its members started a family: Their superb new album, Re-Arrange Us, finds it celebrating the tricky balancing act of marriage, parenthood and rock 'n' roll in a way that's undeniably uplifting and cheerful. Hear songs from that album in a session with World Cafe host David Dye.
Bon Iver: Songs From A 'Good Winter'
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:39:00 -0400
Two years ago, things weren't going well for Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. So he holed up in a cabin in the snowy Wisconsin northwoods, only to emerge with an album celebrated across the indie music community. Here, Vernon shares his story and performs in the studio.
www.tennessean.com - Rss-News-Music Industry news
Jackson, Montgomery Gentry give Sony reasons to celebrate
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:20:00 -0500
Music Row celebrated the successes of two Sony BMG Nashville artists this week: Montgomery Gentry earned two parties to honor No. 1 "Back When I Knew It All," and a massive gathering at Vanderbilt's Student Life Center feted Alan Jackson, who recently reached the milestone of 50 million records sold.
Briefs
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:12:00 -0500
Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group was sued for allegedly cheating members of The Allman Brothers Band out of some $10 million in royalties on music recorded from 1969 to 1980. Band members Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe Johanson alleged Universal is paying only a "small fraction" of the royalties due them for digital downloads of their songs and is refusing to negotiate royalty rates for newly released digital configurations, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan. UMG spokesman Peter Lofrumento declined to comment.
Hip-hop's bible, 'The Source,' relaunches
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:19:00 -0500
NEW YORK — The Source, which was in bankruptcy last year, is relaunching with a 20th-anniversary issue and a new focus — a direction that its co-publisher says will restore the magazine, once known as hip-hop's bible, to prominence.
Rolling Stone: Features
How Bush Destroyed the Republican Party
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:58:32 -0700
A president driven by ideology. A Congress rife with corruption. A political party hellbent on a "permanent majority." A leading scholar examines the radicals who hijacked the GOP — and wrecked the longest conservative ascendancy in American history • Video: Five Ways Bush Sunk the GOP The failure of the administration of George W. Bush — and the accompanying crisis of the Republican Party — has caused a political meltdown of historic proportions. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, Bush enjoyed the greatest popularity ever recorded for a modern American president. Republicans on Capitol Hill, under the iron rule of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, fattened their coffers through a fearsome...
The Police Say Farewell With New York Blowout
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:17:03 -0700
The Trio end globe-trotting reunion tour with benefit gig • Smoking Section: The Police's Final Show After 150 shows spread out over five continents, the Police wrapped up their blockbuster 15-month reunion tour on August 7th with a bang: a freewheeling, occasionally silly two-hour show at New York's Madison Square Garden that was billed as the band's final performance ever. "It's been difficult, but we've actually navigated this thing together as mature males, and we've had a lot of fun doing it," Sting told Rolling Stone the day before the...
Artists to Watch
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Six acts who are defining rock and pop in 2008 LOW VS DIAMOND West Coast quintet craft widescreen rock anthems built for stadium singalongs Click above to watch Low vs Diamond's Lucas Field and Anthony Polcino perform "Heart Attack" live Few young american bands attempt the unabashedly grand cinematic rock that L.A.'s Low Vs Diamond play on their eponymous debut — and frontman Lucas Field sees that as an opportunity. "I felt like there was a hole in American anthems," says Field, 28. "British bands do this big, melodic stuff...
Ultimate-Guitar.Com [News]
Flobots Talk Solar Powered Gig
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:12:19 -0000
In a nod towards the future, Flobots performed in San Diego on a solar powered stage courtesy of Sustainable Waves.
Suicide Silence Announces Headlining North American Tour
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:08:53 -0000
Suicide Silence will embark on a massive headlining tour this fall, dubbed the Cleansing The Nation tour.
Wolfmother Can Not Patch Up Member Split
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:00:13 -0000
With the break-up phase of Wolfmother apparently over, we asked bassist Chris Ross about the writing process with each other.
Y! Music Unlimited Top Songs
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(C) 2006 Will I Am / A&M.
#2: Umbrella - Rihanna
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(C) 2007 Island Def Jam.
#3: Electric Worm - Beastie Boys
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(C) 2007 Capitol.
#4: Home - Daughtry
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(C) 2006 RCA.
#5: Icky Thump - The White Stripes
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(C) 2007 Third Man/Warner Bros..
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(C) 2005 Fearless Records.
BassSax.com - Site devoted to that voice of instrument. Includes photographs, sound files, history, and forums.
C Melody Saxophone Forum - Discussion board for the instrument.
Charles W. Gray's Sax Page - A personal site with an extensive collection of vintage sax photos and a tribute to the rare contrabass sax.
Coolsax - Information on topics including serial numbers, sheet music, on-line tuition, mouthpieces and reeds.
Crane Saxophone Studio - Class at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Includes various information about the instrument.
CyberSax - Contains photographs of many types and models of instrument as well as related accessories, and includes a question-and-answer page in addition to a buy/sell area.
Meta Description: [ Vintage & pro saxophone pictures & descriptions, information concering repairing & restoring vintage instruments, plus saxes & other fine musical instruments for sale or trade. ]
Dorn Publications - Publishers of Saxophone Journal and Jazz Player magazines and vendor of related products.
Esaxophone.tk - Includes information on the instrument family, reeds, mouthpieces, related books, and tips.
Meta Description: [ This page is about the Saxophone and the people who play the sax ]
Forum of the Saxes - Message board covering different aspects of the instrument as well as other instruments.
Meta Description: [ A saxophone discussion forum discussing everything saxophone related. ]
Jazz-O-Matic - Contains playing advice. Includes book and music recommendations and forum.
Meta Description: [ Saxophone lessons from a variety of the worlds most experienced saxophone instructors. Lesson pages with sound files and getting started guide.Tips and advice for beginning saxophonists.
A Variety of Online saxophone lessons, audio lessons, designed to help both saxophonists as well as music e... ]
Mule, Marcel - Compilation of Saxophone Journal articles. Extensive biographical information.
North American Saxophone Alliance - Professional organization for performers, educators, and students. Membership information, publications (including the Saxophone Symposium periodical), resources, and links.
Rascher, Sigurd - Biography. Excerpt from a doctoral dissertation.
Rock and Roll Saxophone - Books and CDs for the sax players of all genres. Study of sound effects, biographies, photos, and history. Forewords by Ernie Watts, Jay Davidson and Scott Page.
Sax Music Plus - Saxophone, clarinet and flute music site. Downloadable sheet music, advice, newsletter, links, and information.
Meta Description: [ Fast-track your saxophone skills with our unique sheet music and audio practice loops ]
Sax on the Web - Saxophone information covering the basics of the instrument to advanced playing tips. Original write-ups on improvisation and saxophone techniques, and discussion forum.
Meta Description: [ Saxophone information from basics to advanced playing tips. Write-ups on improvisation and saxophone techniques, and a Saxophone Discussion Forum. Free Sheet Music. French language saxophone discussion Forum. ]
Sax Ring - Includes enthusiasts, professional musicians, stores, and ensembles.
Sax Talk - Features news, message boards, articles and a blog.
Sax, Adolphe - Biography of the instrument's inventor.
Sax, Adolphe - Biographical page from the official website of Dinant, Belgium, Sax's birthplace.
Meta Description: [ Site Officiel de la Ville de Dinant - Belgique ]
Saxophone FAQ's - Answers to commonly asked questions about the instrument including books and performance experience, compiled by Charles Socci.
Meta Description: [ Jazz Saxophone Charles Socci Recordings Sound Clips help Beginner Questions ]
Saxophone Forum - Discussion forum dedicated to the instrument.
Saxophone Tuition Resource Centre - Tips on buying a first saxophone, recommended tutor books, and play alongs. Downloads of original music and MIDI files.
Meta Description: [ Saxophone tuition website with advice on buying your first saxophone, mouthpiece and reed set ups, recommended tutor books and play alongs. Free downloads of original music and midi files. ]
Saxophones - Suite101.com site. Many articles on various aspects of the instrument.
Meta Description: [ This topic deals with all aspects of saxophone life: the construction of the instruments, company websites, history, playing tips, music that make prominent use of saxophones, and famous saxophonists. - dewey decimal 788.7 ]
Saxtet Publications - On-line catalogue of sheet music for all saxophones. Composer information, news, and links.
Meta Description: [ Saxtet Publications specialises in publishing high-quality sheet music for
the saxophone. Browse throuh our quality saxophone sheet music catalogue. ]
Saxtrolls.net - Includes a monthly tribute page and a non-pure forum covering the instrument and other topics.
Soprillo - Background and photographs of this instrument pitched one octave above the soprano.
Stubbs Sax - A resource for both new and inexperienced players. Common scales, patterns and licks, exercises and useful tips.
Meta Description: [ Saxophone, exercises, scales, patterns, licks etc. Jazz and blues. ]
The Aulochrome - Describes and gives the background of a newly-invented instrument which is similar to a twin pair of integrated soprano saxophones.
Meta Description: [ The Aulochrome, a chromatic Aulos, is a new polyphonic and chromatic woodwind instrument. It resembles two soprano saxophone bodies and uses a revolutionary mechanism, allowing the keys of both pipes to be played either separately or together over the entire range ]
The International Saxophone Home Page - ISHP news and notes. Saxophone magnetic poetry game.
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The Saxophone - English-language Dutch site; overview of the instrument, some famous players.
The Saxophone Guide - Contains information on the instrument and its accessories.
Meta Description: [ The Saxophone Guide: your guide to tenor saxophones, alto, soprano, baritone, bass saxes, accessories, and related equipment. ]
The Saxophone Shed - Warm-up exercises, scale sheets, improvisational patterns, transcriptions, MIDI files, fingering charts, interviews, and lessons.
Meta Description: [ Help And Information On Playing And Practicing The Saxophone. Warm-up Exercises, Scale Sheets, Improvisational Patterns, Transcriptions, Midi Files, Fingering Charts, Interviews, And Lessons. ]
Vintage Saxophone Gallery - Contains photographic examples of many obsolete models. Includes database.
Wikipedia: Saxophone - Article describing the history of the instrument, its construction, materials and reeds, the different types and writing for the saxophone.
World Saxophone Congress - Annual festival. Site includes contact information and background.
"Amazing Grace" on Alto Saxophone by Robert Williams |
