Cobweb Audio Music Articles

The Saxophone Player

By Brian Erwin

What makes a saxophone sound like that?

That is a question that I get asked a lot.

Basically the saxophone is an instrument that was invented. Other woodwind instruments had evolved over time. The Flute comes to mind when I think about an "old instrument". Clarinet is yet another ancester in the history of musical instruments. The list also include drums, bells, trumpet and a lot of percussions. This list is quite long but these are some of the ones that I can think of as i write this article.

The saxophone is basically a conical tube with holes placed stretegically placed to control tones. The tones are generated by a small piece of reed that is cut to a thin tip to allow it to vibrate when it is slightly pressed against the mouthpiece and air is blown through the whole unit. The whole instrument vibrates as the sound is blown through and therefore sings.

The Saxophone has been an instrument that is thought to be the "Easiest to play" however I have often heard "Easiest to play incorrectly". My experience with the saxophone so far has lasted 29 years and only in the past 5 years or so have I truely experienced what this thing can do. It is a beautiful sounding instrument, and like the human voice, it has several timbres. In one group that I play in, I have to make it sound as much as possible, like a french horn. In the summer band I have to make it sound like, well, as saxophone with the "Reedy" sound. At church I am required to mix with the choir, so at times it does sound lyrical as a voice. Sometimes I mix with the trumpets and other times like trombones. It is a challange at times but this is what makes it fun.

Visit Brian's Saxophone Clinic for information about the saxophone. P.S. Check out what information I learned from a Concert Saxophonist. Check out Reeds.

Brian Erwin's "Brian's Saxophone Clinic"