Alto Tenor Bari

Alto Tenor Bari

Neotech Sax Harness Strap Regular, Black

The saxophone division in a big band comprises of 5 players – two altos, two tenors and one baritone sax. In a conventional big band setup, the saxes are located in the initial (front) row of three rows of horn players. The trombones and trumpets are found in the rows directly behind the saxes.

Saxophones are considered agile instruments, much like the clarinet and flute. They are capable to play fast lines or carry out effects that cannot be achieved so without apparent effort on a brass instrument. This characteristic gives them the capacity to cover very fast passages within the ensemble – passages that would be too difficult for the brass section to pull off.

Melodic Roles

Saxophones are oftentimes called on to state the melody of a big band composition or arrangement. Playing in unison gives them the power to cut through punches and concordance played by the brass section. When stating the melody as a section (i.e. 4-5 percentage voicings) the lead alto player ought to project the lead line so it may be heard above other instrumental action going on within the arrangement at any given time.

Saxes may likewise be coupled with other instruments to construct a homogeneous sound. Altos are ofttimes combined with trumpet, while tenor saxes are most often times found sharing a melody with one or more trombones. These melodic couplings work well because the timbre of trumpet and trombone are similar to the alto and tenor respectively. Baritone sax at times plays melody alone, or coupled with bass trombone.

Harmonic Roles

Because the sax section covers a wide range, it lends itself well to providing harmoniousness and harmonic “pads” to a huge band arrangement or composition. In ballads, for example, the saxes are ofttimes written as lush voicings that provide all the necessary notes of a chord. They are applied in this manner within an arrangement as background to a soloist, or as counter melody to another instrument.

Solos and Solis

The tenor saxophone is one of the more usual solo instruments in jazz, so it only makes sense that tenor solos are written rather steadily all around the huge band music repertoire. Although any of the saxes are called upon at one time or another for solos, the tenor seems to get more improvised solos than the others. Baritone sax solos are written sparingly allround big band literature. Depending on the level of skill of the players, solo subdivisions may be passed around so that good soloists – even bari sax players – have a prospect to shine.

Sax solis occur when the saxophone section is featured by itself by playing a composed jazz “solo”. A soli is most many times composed in four or five percentage harmoniousness that is voiced for the entire section. The lead line is played by Alto 1, while the rest of the division is voiced beneath the lead line and follows in rhythmic unison. In a four share setting, the bari sax player will ofttimes double the alto melody at the octave.

The saxophone section is an integral part of any big band in a potpourri of ways. Brass players may complain that the saxophones are written too a heap of solos, but it is hard to beat a terrific saxophone division ripping through a difficult Thad Jones or Don Menza soli. As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them!

Alto Tenor Bari Image

Alto Tenor Bari Photo

Alto Tenor Bari Picture

Alto Tenor Bari Pic

Most helpful client reviews

7 of 7 humans found the following review helpful.
Relieves neck strain!
By R. Hunter
This product was purchased for my child at the suggestion of the music teacher. After switching from an alto saxophone to a baritone saxophone, the neck strap just didn’t cut it. This strap fits comfortably around the shoulders and distributes the weight of the much heavier sax. With no neck strain, there are longer exercise sessions and less complaining. All of which equals sweet music to my ears!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
difficult to adjust but a good
By brassmnky
I had pain in my neck with the general neck strap, so I purchased a harness. The strap is difficult to adjust and get the horn in the rectify position, but after messing with the two adjustment points fro regarding 10-15 min., I got it set up right. Other than that, it’s solved my neck pain problem and I may play without discomfort. A good buy.

1 of 3 humans found the following review helpful.
Not optimal for alto saxophone
By Gregory
I have issues with the plastic hook, which is not designed for quick release. Also, after adjusting the strap in order to position it for use with an alto saxophone, it holds the horn much too close to my body to feel altogether comfortable.

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