Post Grade8 Sax Music And Reeds Options

[anysaxguy]

Hi all, Iv recently passed my grade8 on alto sax, and had my last lesson with my teacher before Uni. For my grade8 I greatly enjoyed playing the Holcombe Blues Concerto. As to where I can go now, with respect to my music, Im not sure! Has anyone got any suggestions of good music i could look into? I heard a rumour about another blues concerto for sax...

Secondly, throughout all the time Iv learnt the sax, Iv always used Vandoren Traditional Reeds, good and reliable!! However, Im starting to look for a different type of reed now to develop my tone further. If anything, Id like a warmer, and maybe huskier tone. Has anyone got any suggestions? iv heard the Vandoren V16 reeds are good!!

Thanks

[IrisH - LoonY]

Hi all, Iv recently passed my grade8 on alto sax, and had my last lesson with my teacher before Uni. For my grade8 I greatly enjoyed playing the Holcombe Blues Concerto. As to where I can go now, with respect to my music, Im not sure! Has anyone got any suggestions of good music i could look into? I heard a rumour about another blues concerto for sax...

Secondly, throughout all the time Iv learnt the sax, Iv always used Vandoren Traditional Reeds, good and reliable!! However, Im starting to look for a different type of reed now to develop my tone further. If anything, Id like a warmer, and maybe huskier tone. Has anyone got any suggestions? iv heard the Vandoren V16 reeds are good!!

Thanks

Check the ABRSM and Trinity diploma syllabi for great pieces

[Appassionata]

I'm learning the Binge Concerto and Telemann Sonata at the moment. L'Histoires by Ibert are also great pieces. Experiment with reeds. It depends on you, your sax, mouthpiece and the type of sound you want, as to which reeds you should use. Try - Vandoren V16, Java and Jazz, Hemke and Rico Royal and see which you prefer.

[TSax]

I know several classical sax players who swear by Alexander Superial Classique reeds. I'm more of a jazzer and tried the Alexander DC once but didn't really get on with them. Playing about with reeds is a good thing to do occasionally, even if only to confirm you're playing the best ones for you.

[anysaxguy]

Thanks for the replies, Ill take all of them into consideration.

Unfortunately iv already done the Ronald Binge Concerto for grade7.

Im not a great classical sax fan myself either, I prefer jazz especially big band.

Checking the Diploma Syllabi is a great idea, and ill probably inadvertantly end up taking it. However, Iv never really looked into dimplomas before. I know you can either take a teaching or performance diploma, but what are the requirements, and what would I have to do. i.e. is it something I could move straight onto now or should I be getting a few more years experience in bands first??

[Nicia-Clarinet-Flute]

I'm a clarinettist and play the alexander superial reeds d.c. they are the best reed i've ever played but remeber there are so many varying factors what you feel comfortable with your mouthpiece your ligature and your instrument i would recommend you to try different reeds mouthpieces and ligature to see which you think is the best combination for you!

[sofabed]

Im not a great classical sax fan myself either, I prefer jazz especially big band.

I do feel your pain anysaxguy! Those "Classical" Sax Teachers should be shot at birth! Oh that reminds me - I must rush out to the shops a purchase some more Classical Sax on CD. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Like we're ever going to say that too often!

Here are my Alto Sax experiences: Yamaha 62R with Eugene Rousseau mpc & v2 Hemke reeds gave strong powerful cutting sound. Great on stage & in studio. For warmer effect on ballads & big band work, a 1960's Selmer Soloist C** mpc totally changes the tone and produces a warm soft sweet sound. On eBay they are now approx £75+ each and they do differ in tonal quality. Try either a C, C*, C**, D, or E facing. They get pricey when you get to an E facing, as used by the likes of Kenny Garrett. I found that Otto Link mpc didn't work at all on alto but was fine for jazz tenor 7* and 7* New York facings.

When I traded up to a 1968 Selmer MK VI, the Soloist C** mpc worked even better. I changed to Rico Jazz Select filed 2M reeds. The Rousseau #6 mpc did not work as well on the MK VI. But for power, I would totally recommend (if you ever get the chance), an original 1980's handmade, not laser cut, Dave Guardala - Brecker 'Studio' #7 facing mpc. Pricey @ £320 secondhand, but amazing to play on. He made the best mpcs in the world until he sold his company and stopped producing handmades.

A lot of older jazzers use Lawton mpcs. He recently died but I believe his son continues production.

My advice to you is, listen to Alto players who have the 'sound' you strive for. Whether it's Grover Washington Jnr., Dave Sanborn, Paul Desmond, Phil Woods, Raphael Ravenscroft, Wesley Magoogan, Stuart Mathewman, Andy McKay, Antonio Hart etc. and try out the same sax/mpc setups. Develop your own sound thereafter. If you find a sax/mpc in a music shop that you like - buy it there and then and worry about paying for it later - you might not get the chance to get it again! There's not much money playing in bigbands because it's a big animal to feed. Have a look at the NYJO music pad which can be fun to play in big bands. Stuff by Sammy Nestico too. www.jazzuk.demon.co.uk

All the best. C sharp or you'll B flat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[anysaxguy]

Phew, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) a lot to take in there!! I must have read it 3 times at certain places! All very helpful, and I most certainly will be checking out players and their setups who have a sound Im looking for.

With regards to NYJO, I was looking into them quite recently, talking to a trumpet player and my teacher who had both played with them. To tell the truth, was a little bit daunted by the intense competitive nature surrounding it all. Im not worried about money as I have no intention of turning my playing into a living, to which end Im studying Biology at Uni!! However, I greatly enjoy playing and I feel Big Band Jazz is where my heart lies. (And Im well informed that there is a lead alto position opening up in the Uni Big Band!!)

Previous to this post, I had the idea of checking out various standards, but working through the NYJO pad sounds a great idea. As for the website, It looks helpful. Aerbersold are featured and Iv already got some of their chord progression improvisation books, so it looks like Im off to a good start!

Thanks for all the advice everyone! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Its been very helpful in showing me where to begin, Post Grade 8!

[Saxophonist]

Unfortunately iv already done the Ronald Binge Concerto for grade7.

I thought only the 3rd movement was on the grade 7 syllibus(sp?) even if you dont do the 2nd mvt the 2st is work working at

[anysaxguy]

Unfortunately iv already done the Ronald Binge Concerto for grade7.

I thought only the 3rd movement was on the grade 7 syllibus(sp?) even if you dont do the 2nd mvt the 2st is work working at

It is very enjoyable, Iv looked at the rest of the concerto too!

[elliewelly]

Did you do Light of Sothis (by Amy Quate) for Grade 7? Only 2 of the movements are on the syllabus, but I loved learning the whole thing. Very modern and expressive.

I love my V16s, they give a lot of variety. Especially as I keep alternating between 3s and 3 1/2s because I can't decide which I prefer!

[anysaxguy]

Did you do Light of Sothis (by Amy Quate) for Grade 7? Only 2 of the movements are on the syllabus, but I loved learning the whole thing. Very modern and expressive.

Simply put, no. Never heard of it, but Ill put it on my list of things to look into! I did Aria by Eugene Bozza, the Ronald Binge Concerto and Ignition by James Rae. Grade 8, Blues Concerto by Bill Holcombe, Saxo-rhapsody by Eric Coates and If Only by James Rae.

Would I be right to assume that youre doing grade 8 atm?? If so, what pieces are you doing? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[elliewelly]

Yes, I should have done it ages ago though! About 2 years ago I was even preparing one of my students for grade 8, then he decided that in his gap year he was going to go to Belize, and ended up not taking it. I just haven't got round to it until now, largely because of having my daughter last year! I'm doing the Bach Sonata, Tabasco by James Rae, and learning both the Danses Exotiques and the Blues Concerto. I'm playing If Only... too, but just for fun. The scales and sight reading are easy (have done grade 8 clarinet, recorder and theory) but I always mess up the chord identification bit in the aural tests and get 14/18. So my pieces need to be really good!