Saxophone Research Paper

Jazz, a genre of music that was born from fear and unfortunate circumstances, is to this day one of the most loved music genres. Jazz, by definition, is “a type of music of black American origin characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm, emerging at the beginning of the 20th century. Brass and woodwind instruments and piano are particularly associated with jazz, although guitar and occasionally violin are also used; styles include Dixieland, swing, bebop, and free jazz.” (Google Definitions) However, despite how popular and loved this upbeat music was, it caused a lot of controversy in its time.

     The clarinet produces sound when air passes over the reed. The reed then vibrates, causing the flowing air to vibrate, thus producing sound. The air then exits the nearest opening. The farther the air travels before exiting, the deeper and lower the note will be. To produce a wide variety of notes, the clarinet has many keys and holes. Pressing different combinations of keys will result in different notes.

Anyone who has ever been in a high school band likely knows about the trumpet player stereotype: trumpet players are egotistical, and they are always trying to outdo one another. I know that stereotype well because I am a trumpet player, although I did not always know that I would gain a passion for music the way that I did. I was initially unsure of what instrument I would play or if I would even enjoy being in band. When I joined band at the beginning of sixth grade, we were allowed to try playing various instruments to determine which one we wanted to learn. The trumpet and alto saxophone were the first instruments to stand out to me, so I tried playing the trumpet first and was able to produce a fairly reasonable tone. On the other hand, I tried the saxophone, and it yielded what I described as a "farting noise" at the time. Aside from my sixth grade humor, I decided that I wanted to play the trumpet, and I have never regretted that decision.

Kenny Garrett is one of my favorite Alto saxophone players. He was born in Detroit, in 1960 and started to play saxophone in his childhood since his father also played tenor sax. Kenny Garrett’s career as a saxophonist started early at the age of 17 with a saxophone spot in Mercer Ellington’s revived Ellington Orchestra. And then he seated in Mel Lewis’ group (a traditional route for young and aspiring jazzers), and performing Charles Mingus’ music with Dannie Richmond Quartet. Garrett earned a complete musical education, in a series of surprisingly mainstream jazz groups, considering his edgy and experimental, funky style.

Jazz Musician. He was born Charlie J. Allen in Jackson, Mississippi, but was raised in Chicago. He graduated from high school and began playing music during the early 1920s. His musical instrument of choice was the trumpet and he soon became a session trumpet player for such jazz greats as Hugh Swift, Billy Butler, Don Pasquall, Dave Peyton, Doc Cook, Clifford "Klarinet" King and the extensive ensemble of Johnny Long. He joined Earl Hine's band in 1931 and would go onto play with him until 1934. With Hines' he played on some of his classic recordings such as "Mad House", "Darkness", and "Cavernism", among many others. He also played a stint with the Duke Ellington Orchestra beginning in 1935, but never recorded any solos with Duke's orchestra.

The first instrument I ever learned how to play decently and thoroughly was the trumpet and fell in love with it ever since. I joined my high school’s jazz band during my sophomore year which was long ago and it gave me a greater appreciation for the genre of jazz and my love for music as a whole. I stopped playing altogether once I entered college and I missed playing music. I play the trumpet that I personally own from time to time and it brings back so many good memories. I am curious to how the trumpet became very popular during the past and modern jazz bands of today.

I have always enjoyed music since I picked it up my first alto sax in the 6th grade. Of all the enjoyment music gave me and all its feelings it can create I could finally make some of my own. For the 7 years I have been playing in school it still remains a large part of my life. It gives me a great enjoyment to push myself everyday to do better. The dream of one day playing in a great college jazz ensemble propels me forward in my music because of the disadvantage of my school's jazz program. Playing saxophone in a classical and jazz context is what makes me a perfect fit for Sam Houston State University.

Whether I play the jazz, classical, or the melodious ruckus of the marching band, the alto saxophone is how I reimbursed myself of my stress and anxiety with an indescribable feeling nobody but a musician can understand. This feeling is comprised of two parts: the playing and the team. While the playing produces a euphony that leaves you anticipating every breath you huff into your horn and dances out the bell, the team is my favorite part. Never have I anticipated or desired to be first chair, because I had always known that the second chair is the best. Despite the first chair getting all the glory, without the warm, complementary tones of the second part, the first, and even the band, could never achieve the beautiful potential it has. Together,

Over the years, Mr.Barone has played multiple instruments. He has a saxophone and helps others with their instruments. He plays jazz band with us. Mr.Barone can can recognize multiple instruments and can play them.

Every admirer of jazz loves to hear compositions from the olden days. Depending on your mood, you might like to have a variety to choose from. The following compositions offer you jazzy compositions played as solos or with bands with some of the top composers of all times. Whether you feel down and out of the weather or want to relax and listen to something romantic you will find the right piece of music amongst these compositions.

I was not very good at the saxophone, and I remember being told by all my teachers that I was playing it all wrong. “You're supposed to use the side keys when playing this note,” they would constantly tell me. Even though I tried really hard, I never seemed to be able to play it right.

As you are well aware I’m writing to you because this is an assignment for my jazz class and you wanted to know more about what I have been doing here on campus. Today is Friday and before I start to explain my day to you I just want to say it was short so I won’t be able to write as much as I have been.

It is an extremely difficult time for the Music Industry which began in the 1930 and

A jazz ensemble typically consists of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and a rhythm section (consisting of piano, bass, guitar, and drums). Vibraphones, clarinets, and violins are sometimes added to jazz ensembles to add variation to the timbre of the musical group, but the ensemble I attended did not have those extra instruments added to it.

Today the trumpet is used for making music in many different kinds of musical situations. It is used in musicals with other instruments for theme music as well as dance music. The modern day trumpet is also used in marching bands, concert bands, as well as jazz bands. My favorite setting where the trumpet is used is brass choir, where only two trumpets are used along with a trombone, tuba, and French horn. There are so many venues that the trumpet is used that many do not think about, such as rock bands and even country bands. When most people think of the trumpet, they think of marching bands or concert bands, but in reality the trumpet has a much wider variety that it is used for in today’s world than many think.