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Baritone saxophone

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Baritone saxophone
Woodwind instrument
Classification Single-reed
Hornbostel–Sachs classification422.212-71
(Single-reedaerophonewithkeys)
Inventor(s)Adolphe Sax
Developed1840s
Playing range
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Baritone saxophone in E♭ sounds an octave and amajor sixthlower than written. Many models have keys for low A (sounding C) and high F♯ (sounding A).
Related instruments
Sizes:
Orchestral saxophones:
Specialty saxophones:
Musicians
Seelist of saxophonists

Thebaritone saxophone(sometimes abbreviated to "bari sax" ) is a member of thesaxophonefamily of instruments, larger (and lower-pitched) than thetenor saxophone,but smaller (and higher-pitched) than thebass.It is the lowest-pitched saxophone in common use — the bass,contrabassandsubcontrabasssaxophones are relatively uncommon. Like all saxophones, it is asingle-reed instrument.It is commonly used inconcert bands,chamber music,military bands,big bands,andjazz combos.It can also be found in other ensembles such asrock bandsandmarching bands.Modern baritone saxophones are pitched in E♭.

History[edit]

The baritone saxophone was created in 1846 by the Belgian instrument makerAdolphe Saxas one of a family of 14 instruments. Sax believed these instruments would provide a useful tonal link between the woodwinds and brasses. The family was divided into two groups of seven saxophones each, from the soprano to the contrabass. Though a design for an F baritone saxophone is included in the C and F family of saxophones, no known F baritones exist.[1]The family consisting of saxophones in the keys of B♭and E♭was more successful because of their popularity in military bands.[2]

All saxophones were originally keyed to low B, but a low B♭mechanism was patented in 1887[3]and by 1910 this was standard for most saxophones including baritones. This low B♭is a concert D♭on baritone saxophone, and players began creating 'low A pipes' to insert into the bell to extend the range to the very useful concert C just below that (low A on the baritone sax). This modification made the low B♭inaccessible and low B out of tune.[4]This method is still used today by some players.[5]From the 1930s through the 1950s, manufacturers experimented with extending the bell to add a low A key to the instrument. The simplest way was to add a cylindrical section between the bell and bow to provide the extra length and tone hole, and some makers produced and sold instruments built this way, but these horns generally suffer from intonation problems in the lowest few notes and players often consider their tone poor as well.Selmer Parisbegan producing low A versions of theMark VIbaritone saxophone in the late 1950s which had a bell that had been designed separately from the low B♭version (such a bell may have been a custom-order option before this time), and these instruments do not generally suffer from the same intonation problems. In the 1970s,Yamaha's YBS-61 was keyed to low A with no low B♭option, and by the 1980s most baritones were being manufactured with a low A bell. The low A model is now considered standard and only a few manufacturers still produce low B♭instruments.

In its original form, the baritone saxophone's highest keyed note was high E♭,but instruments keyed to high F became standard during the 1920s. High F♯became a rare option starting in the 1950s and slowly became more common, but as with other modern saxophones, most baritones are now manufactured with a high F♯key.

Description[edit]

The baritone saxophone, like other saxophones, is a conical tube of thin brass. It has a wider end, flared to form a bell, and a smaller end connected to a mouthpiece. The baritone saxophone uses a single reed mouthpiece like that of a clarinet. There is a loop in the top of the body (sometimes also known as the 'pigtail') in two U-shaped pieces of tube called the upper bow and spit bow, to reduce it to a practical height.

Baritone saxophones are typically found in two versions with one ranging to low A and the other to low B♭.[6]Despite the ubiquity of the low A horn, some players still prefer to use B♭horns because of the added weight of a low A bell[5]or because of personal preference for a particular vintage instrument. Some also believe low A horns sound inferior in the low range;[5]however, this is the subject of debate among players.

The baritone saxophone's relatively large mass (11 to 20 pounds or 5.0 to 9.1 kilograms, depending on the manufacturer's choice of material and structural designs, and whether it has a low A key) has led to the development of harness-style alternatives to neck straps which distribute the instrument's weight across the user's shoulders.[7]Several different kinds exist which each distribute weight differently across the saxophonist'sneck,clavicle,andshoulder blades.Manymarchingsaxophonists prefer this style for its ability to decrease fatigue. Those who mainly perform seated, on the other hand, may dislike the decreased ability to move one's upper body with a harness.[7]Some modern instruments are also produced with mounts for floor pegs to reduce weight on the player's neck when seated, similar to those found on bass clarinets.

Transposition[edit]

It is a transposing instrument in the key of E♭,pitched anoctaveplus a major sixth lower than written. It is one octave lower than thealto saxophone.Modern baritones with a low A key and high F♯key have a range from C2to A4.

As with all saxophones, its music is written intreble clef.By coincidence, it is possible to use a trick known asclefsubstitution to read music written inbass clefat concert pitch (for example mosttubaorbassoonparts), by reading as if it were a transposing part in treble clef and pretending there were three more sharps (or three fewer flats) in the key signature. A similar trick allows instruments in B♭like thetenor saxophoneto read concert pitchtenor clef.

In classical music[edit]

The baritone saxophone is used as a standard member ofconcert bandsandsaxophone quartets.

It has also been occasionally called for in music fororchestra.Examples includeRichard Strauss'Sinfonia Domestica,which calls for a baritone saxophone in F;Béla Bartók'sThe Wooden Princeballet music;Charles Ives'Symphony No. 4,composed in 1910–1916; andGershwin'sRhapsody in Blue(Grofé's orchestration)[8]andAn American in Paris.[9]In his operaThe Devils of Loudun(Die Teufel von Loudun),Krzysztof Pendereckicalls for two baritone saxes.Karlheinz Stockhausenincludes a baritone saxophone inGruppenandStravinskycalls for one in hisEbony Concerto.

It has a comparatively small solo repertoire although an increasing number of concertos have appeared, one of these being "Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra"by American composerPhilip Glass.This is a piece that can be played with or without an orchestra that features the baritone sax in the second movement.[10]The American composerMark Watters'Rhapsody for Baritone Saxophonehas been scored for piano, wind ensemble, and orchestra. This single-movement solo for the baritone sax includes a virtuosic cadenza.

In jazz music[edit]

A number of jazz performers have used the baritone saxophone as their primary instrument. It is part of standardbig bandinstrumentation (the largerbass saxophonewas also occasionally used up until the 1940s). As phrased by Alain Cupper from JazzBariSax, "Used a few times in contemporary classical music...it is especially in jazz that this wonderful instrument feels most comfortable."[11]One of the instrument's pioneers wasHarry Carney,longtime baritone saxophone player in theDuke Ellingtonband.

Baritone saxophone soloistsGerry Mulligan,Cecil Payne,Sahib Shihab,Pepper Adams,Serge Chaloff,andLeo Parkerachieved fame in the jazz world.Peter Brötzmannis a notablefree jazzplayer.

A noted Scottish performer wasJoe Temperley,who appeared withHumphrey Lytteltonas well as with theLincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

More recent notable performers includeHamiet Bluiett(who has also led a group of baritone saxophone players),John Surman,Scott Robinson,James Carter,Stephen "Doc" Kupkaof the bandTower of Power,Nick Brignola,Gary Smulyan,Brian Landrus,andRonnie Cuber.In the avant-garde scene,Tim Bernehas doubled on bari. Jazz/funk playerLeo Pellegrinoof Lucky Chops andToo Many Zoozhas become popular with younger listeners for his aggressive playing style and energetic performances.

In other music[edit]

Baritone saxophonist in amilitary bandof theItalian Army

The baritone sax is an important part of military bands and is common in musical theater. The baritone sax appeared in many early rock-and-roll hits of the 1950s, played a prominent role in manyMotownhits of the 1960s, notably byKing Curtis,and appeared in the 1970s and beyond in acts such asBruce Springsteen'sE Street Band,played byClarence Clemons.It is often in the horn sections of funk, blues, Latin, soul bands.

Prominent baritone saxophonists in contemporary American popular music include Stephen Kupka ofTower of Power,Dana ColleyofMorphine,Leroi Mooreof theDave Matthews Band,John LinnellofThey Might Be GiantsandMartin PernaofAntibalas,theDap-KingsandTV on the Radio.

Nigerian Afrobeat singer, musician, and bandleaderFela Kutitypically featured two baritone saxophone players in his band.[citation needed]

A few modern non-jazz artists have recently begun to incorporate saxophones into their instrumentation. TheLAIndie rockbandFitz and the Tantrumsfeatured both an alto and a baritone saxophone in their music—most recently their 2016 song "Handclap" from an album of the same name. Both were played by band memberJames King.[12][13]The "Brass house" (experimental jazz/funk) groupToo Many Zoozis another group that has popularized the baritone saxophone. Originally aNew York Citysubway band, the trio has released three albums and been featured on aTEDxYouth@Budapestsegment.[14][15]

In popular culture[edit]

Lisa Simpsonfrom the cartoon comedy seriesThe Simpsonsplays the baritone sax.[16]

Haruka Ogasawara from the animeSound! Euphoniumplays the baritone sax.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^Newton, Bret (7 December 2014)."Saxophones in F and C".Bandestration.Retrieved28 June2020.
  2. ^Harrelson, Brad."The History of the saxophone".Retrieved5 October2013.
  3. ^"Evette & Schaeffer".Oxford Music Online.Oxford University Press. 2001.doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52163.
  4. ^"How to make a baritone saxophone low A extension".shwoodwind.co.uk.Retrieved28 June2020.
  5. ^abcHadro, Andrew (18 November 2014)."Brands and Horns".JazzBariSax.Retrieved17 April2016.
  6. ^Charles, Roger."The baritone saxophone, past and present".Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2013.Retrieved5 October2013.
  7. ^abSchwietert, Adam (28 September 2012)."Saxophone Neck Strap and Harness Study"(PDF).Research.Coordinate Movement.Retrieved17 April2016.
  8. ^"Who Could Ask For Anything More".The Gershwin Initiative Website.8 September 2013.Retrieved13 December2022.
  9. ^Gershwin, George (1928)."American in Paris for orchestra: Full Score".Schott Music.
  10. ^Schwarm, Betsy."Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra".Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.Retrieved5 October2013.
  11. ^Cupper, Alain."About the Bari Sax".JazzBariSax.Retrieved17 April2016.
  12. ^Ellen Degeneres, Fitz and the Tantrums (12 April 2016).Fitz and The Tantrums Perform 'HandClap'(Video (Online)). Burbank, California: TheEllenShow.
  13. ^"James King".Artist Info.D'Addario Woodwinds.Retrieved17 April2016.
  14. ^"Eugene: Cozmic Presents TOO MANY ZOOZ".BestEvents. 24 December 2014.Retrieved17 April2016.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^Zaslow, Alexandra (25 March 2014)."Subway Performers Energe from the Underground to Become Viral Rockstars".HuffPost.Retrieved17 April2016.
  16. ^Barron, J. (14 January 1996)."7-13 January; A Sax Craze, Inspired by 'The Simpsons'".The New York Times.Retrieved20 August2019.
  17. ^"ヤマハ | “Vang け! ユーフォニアム” ×ヤマハ スペシャルサイト ".jp.yamaha(in Japanese).Retrieved29 January2024.

External links[edit]

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