King Curtis – Rock and Roll Saxophone
You don’t need to be a fan of the saxophone to have heard King Curtis’ music; you only need a pulse. King Curtis was one of the best saxophone players in the early rock and roll and soul scene and he contributed to many albums in his day.
King Curtis’ desire to play saxophone came at the age of ten when he first heard Louis Jordan play. He told his adoptive parent’s that he wanted more than anything to play saxophone. His desire hit a fever pitch when he heard the tenor stylings of Lester Young.
When he was 11 years old, his parents presented him with an alto saxophone, which he began playing in the junior high band. Curtis switched to the tenor when his school band needed a tenor player. When he was 16, he started his own band and was playing at parties and dances. Heavily influenced by Texas tenor players like Illinois Jacquet, Earl Bostic and Arnett Cobb, he was at home with rhythm and blues, pop, and jazz music.
In the liner notes to one of his albums, Curtis described his influences in greater detail: “I liked Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Lester Young and Sonny Stitt as well.
I also dug Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins for ballads, Getz for facility, Charlie Parker for technique. Another guy that influences both myself and Ornette Coleman was a Texas tenor man called Red Connor, who was a Coltrane ahead of his time.”
It wasn’t long before successful musicians heard Curtis play and wanted him for their albums. He recorded the saxophone parts for the Chuck Willis song What Am I Living For and the Clyde McPhatter song A Lover’s Question. His breakthrough performance came when he recorded Yackety Yak with the Coasters. Following his impressive performance on that album, his staccato laced style would come to be known as “yackety sax.” Curtis felt that jazz wasn’t the best direction for a profitable career in music and fully embraced the opportunity to play on more commercial friendly albums. He recorded Reminiscing with Buddy Holly and released songs of his own, the most notable being Soul Twist and Soul Serenade.
During the mid to late sixties, King Curtis recorded his two most successful songs of all time, Memphis Soul Stew and Ode to Billie Joe. He also led Aretha Franklin’s backing band, The Kingpins during this time. He continued his relationship with the Coasters into the late sixties and spent some time producing albums for other acts, often in partnership with legendary producer Jerry Wexler. Curtis became a popular attraction at rock shows across the world and had the opportunity to play at some of the greatest venues of the time.
In 1971, Curtis contributed the sax break on John Lennon’s song It’s So Hard, which was a track on Lennon’s Imagine album. Sadly, one month before the U.S. release of the album, Curtis got into an altercation on his doorstep when a group of men blocking the doorway to his apartment building refused to move so that he could get in. Curtis was stabbed to death, and the music world lost another one of it’s greats.
Thank you all for making this video one of the most famous and best saxophone songs on YouTube!!! I never thought this would get so popular – 100 000 views and counting!!! Thanks again and enjoy 
Romantic & Sexy Saxophone Song
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Saxophone Colossus (Reis)
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Media Type: CD
Artist: ROLLINS,SONNY
Title: SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS
Street Release Date: 03/21/2006
List Price: $ 11.98
Price: $ 4.73
The Devil’s Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool
The Devil’s Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool
The 160-year history of the saxophone comes to brilliant life in Michael Segell’s wonderfully researched, beautifully told The Devil’s Horn. Beginning with “a sound never heard before,” Segell’s portrait follows the iconographic instrument as it is lauded for its sensuality, then outlawed for its influence, and finally credited with changing the face of popular culture. A deeply personal story of one man’s love for music-making, a universal story of artistic and political revolution, and a trenc
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How To Select A Saxophone
Article by Rita Yeo
The saxophone is the most popular and widely heard solo instrument of the wind family. Saxophones are played in many types of ensembles, including jazz, concert, wind ensemble and in marching bands.
The saxophone family includes the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. Most new saxophone learners start with the alto saxophone. Reason being that a lot of classical saxophone books are written for the alto saxophone. In addition, the alto demands less from the player in terms of the air volume. The smaller key scale also fits very well in a young learner’s hands. Finally, the alto saxophone is relatively lower priced so makes for a good starter instrument for a new learner.Now that you have decided on which type of saxophone to buy, you will need to note the following points in selecting your saxophone:
1. Lacquer or plated saxophone
Saxophones are typically finished in clear lacquer. However in recent years, there is a choice of different colored lacquers. The color of the lacquer does not actually change the sound quality. However, plating of the instrument does affect tonal quality. Plated saxophone give out a brighter tone compared to lacquered ones.
2. New or pre-owned
Depending on your budget, you may want to consider renting a saxophone or buying one. If purchasing a second hand instrument, do check it for scratches and dents. Also examine the condition of the pads.
If selecting a new instrument, you may find that there is a wide offering in terms of pricing. Typically the more expensive instruments have details such as hand engraving on the bell, hand hammered keys and so forth.
3. Accessories for your saxophone
It is necessary for you to get a neck strap for your saxophone. In addition, you will need other accessories including reed, mouthpiece, mouthpiece pouch and a swab. The swab is an essential cleaning tool and you should clean your instrument after every use. Other accessories you require include a music stand, books and couple of good CDs.
Finally, you need to look for an experienced and qualified saxophone teacher to teach you the ropes of playing the instrument. Once you pick up this skill, you will enjoy many hours of playing the saxophone for life.
Bontempi – Saxophone
- For the budding musician – a silver saxophone for your home orchestra or marching band
- This toy saxophone by Bontempi has 8 keys and can play a scale and the keys are color coded so children can play songs that are printed on the back of the box
- The toy saxophone is plastic and has a shiny silver finish
- Measures about 16.5″ long
- Fun to play and encourages creative play
The Silver Toy Saxophone is the perfect gift for the aspiring musician in your family. Your child will love learning to play on this easy to use instrument. The Sax is silver plastic with brightly colored keys to make learning easier. The keys are each a different color to help your child learn to play. This is the perfect way to introduce your child to music. Silver Plastic Toy Saxophone 16.5″ made by Bontempi in Italy. Age 3 and up
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SKY Student Eb Alto Saxophone with Case and Accessories
SKY Student Eb Alto Saxophone with Case and Accessories
- High F# key
- Engraved bell
- Leather pads with mother-of-pearl finger buttons
- Gold lacquer brass body with gold lacquer keys
- Accessories included: mouthpiece, cap, ligature, neck strap, cork grease, two #2.5 reeds, hard case
This instrument is perfect for beginning band students. Each outfit includes instrument, accessories and backpackable hard case.
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What To Consider When Buying Saxophone
The saxophone is a great instrument for a child to learn to play music on. It is one of the most widely heard solo instruments, and it is very popular in jazz music. It has an extended range, a commanding lower register and a rich middle register. Musicians can perform in large orchestras, marching bands, jazz bands, and wind ensembles. The study of the instrument usually involves learning the alto or tenor but may also include the baritone and soprano saxophones. Often those who play the saxophone will also play the flute and clarinet to broaden their experience. When buying saxophone instruments, visit the local music store for advise.
Invented in Brussels, Belgium by Adolphe Sax in 1840, the saxophone is the most recent development in the woodwind family. It is actually a hybrid, the fingering system on the keys is based on the Boehm system from around 1832, which is also true of the flute, oboe and clarinet. The instrument has a conical bore similar to the oboe, a reed and a mouthpiece similar to a clarinet, and a brass body like instruments in the brass family. A new chromatic fingering system has recently been developed that uses all ten fingers for faster execution. This new “Schmidt” chromatic system will debut in October 2011 under the “Avatar” brand.
It is a very accommodating instrument to learn, unlike the clarinet and the flute. It is not as prone to sounding airy or squeaky but attention needs to be paid to manual dexterity, articulation, embouchure, or the position of the lips and breathing technique, breathing, hand position, relaxation, support and good posture. It demands a lot of concentration to play. Beginners may have difficulty producing the lower tones and the higher notes and the extended range should not be attempted until the player has a grasp of the proper tone, embouchure and breathing.
The traditional place to start with is the alto, where much of the classical music is written for it. It requires a bit less air to play than a tenor, and the key scale is smaller and is an easier fit for a child’s hand. The angle of the air flow and the embouchure is easily transferred to playing other saxophones.
Ask a music teacher or the local music store for referrals when buying ones first saxophone. There are styles for students, intermediates and professionals. The student horn is both affordable and easy to play. It is a good one to start with and can be traded up when the student is ready. The intermediate horn is also very affordable and has some of the features of the professional horn but not the same tonal quality. The professional horns have the best sound, more handwork is done on them and they can have gold and silver plating and have clear or colored lacquer. They have a more substantial feel and the resale value is higher.
The finishing is clear lacquer, but they can come in colors. This does not affect the sound but the plating can. Silver plating produces a brighter tone than lacquered and gold plating has a warmer sound and are more costly.
A used instrument is an option if money is an issue. Check for dents and repairs and the condition of the pads, they should feel soft. Ask if the horn has been re-lacquered, this is not bad but it could dramatically affect the resale value on some vintage collectable saxophones. For the same money as a used pro instrument, a new intermediate sax could also be purchased.
Beginners often start with a hard rubber or plastic mouthpiece with a low baffle and a small tip opening. A reverse ligature is best with the screws on top. A good quality reed is important as this is where the sound vibrates. A sturdy harness or neck strap is recommended. A reed re-surfacer (300-400 grit sand paper on a flat piece of glass), reed trimmer and reed case are important for reed care. Use a string swab or a bottle brush type “padsaver” (also known as a “stuff-it”) to clean the saxophone body tube. The neck and mouthpiece can be cleaned with a small bottle brush with baking soda (a toothbrush can also be used on the mouthpiece. A music stand, metronome, tuner, and beginning method books complete the package for a beginner. Buying saxophone can be done online fairly risk free if the sax is well reviewed and there is a reasonable length return policy (at least 15-30 days). Your saxophone teacher might also have some good recommendations for a saxophone.
H.W. Alto Sax Pad-Saver
- Alto Sax one piece Pad-Saver
- Helps prevent pad replacement
- Can be used by all playing abilities
Pad-Saver designed to collect any extra moisture left in the instrument after playing. Fits into the body of any alto sax while sitting in the case.
List Price: $ 19.80
Price: $ 10.87
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The Groove Of A Calm Love
The Groove Of A Calm Love
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Vandoren ZZ Tenor Saxophone Reeds #2.5, Box of 5
In tests with jazz saxophonists, the artists found the new VandorenÊZZ reed to be immediately responsive without sacrificing the brightness or tone quality required for their style of music. Its free-blowing characteristics made the artists immediate fans for the newÊZZ reed.
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Vandoren ZZ Tenor Saxophone Reeds #2.5, Box of 5
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Protec LEATHER SAXOPHONE NECK STRAP
Each strap features a contoured neck pad and our exclusive quick release clip.
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Protec LEATHER SAXOPHONE NECK STRAP
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56 SELMER BASS SAXOPHONE OFT
Selmer Model 56 Paris Series II BBb Bass Saxophone
An absolute beauty of a saxophone made to the classic Paris Super Action standards. Specifications: BBb, Super Action 80, clear lacquer body and keys, low A, high F# key, hand engraved details, S406-C mouthpiece, includes deluxe case.
I am a music dealer
And repairman.
Any instrument can be returned for full value
As a trade in or on consignment for resale
Provided it is in the original condition.
All instruments are shop tested and adjust
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Vandoren ZZ Tenor Saxophone Reeds #3, Box of 5
In tests with jazz saxophonists, the artists found the new VandorenÊZZ reed to be immediately responsive without sacrificing the brightness or tone quality required for their style of music. Its free-blowing characteristics made the artists immediate fans for the newÊZZ reed.
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