If there is a western instrument that everyone knows, it the sax. There are several different types which form the saxophone family — each having a different sound. There are plenty of connotations with the instrument, some of which are over a hundred years old, others from more recent times. Even so, the device is only about 150 years old making it a relatively modern horn.
Classification:
Instruments are classified into around five groups. The saxophone is classified into the group of Areophones, which means sound that is produced by a vibrating column of air. In the western classification, the saxophone is classified into the wind family even though it is made out of brass. Reason being is that is requires a reed. This one below is a tenor saxophone
Item of Technology
The saxophone was invented by a Belgian instrument maker named Adolphe Sax in the mid 1800’s. A product of innovation, creativity and determination, it threw a curveball into the music world with listeners wither loving or hating its unique sound. The idea was to take the technical capabilities of a woodwind like a a clarinet with the raw power and projection of a brass instrument. It was created to closely emulate the human voice and emotion. Unlike anything before it, the saxophone would not have been possible without the technical advancements of the industrial revolution.
Items of Commodity
The saxophone’s main use is for entertainment and it is a valuable asset to Jazz. Automatically, when you think of Jazz, you think of the Saxophone usually. As an instrument, i.e. a wind instrument, the Saxophone helps regulate your airflow at will and developing as well as developing diaphragms. As an instrument in general, the Saxophone provides one with a source of expression. Being involved with music also helps people develop better focusing skills as well as working together in groups. Being more related to Jazz, the saxophone is much better at allowing one to be more free in expression. In Jazz, it is more of free will rather than sticking with a beat.
Spirituals Associations
As noted by Bonnie C. Wade, some instruments have been know as being “Devil’s” instruments. The fiddle even was during a point in history. Alas, the sax was too know as a “Devil’s horn.” By 1903, tensions of the vile saxophone had mounted and Pope Pius X had enough of the disgusting saxophone, he found it profane. In fact, a recent Telegraph articled reported that he was “alarmed by the incursion of saxophones into sacramental music, warned of their dangerous capacity to ferment "disgust or scandal", Under the Second section of the 1903 “Tra le Sollecitudini” , modern music had “risen mainly to serve profane uses,”. Instead of just banning the saxophone, he banished all bands from playing inside the church—even banning piano inside the church. Here is a brief example of what was banned—and still is—under Section VI of the 1903 “Tra le Sollecitudini” :
“19. The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.
20. It is strictly forbidden to have bands play in church, and only in special cases with the consent of the Ordinary will it be permissible to admit wind instruments, limited in number, judiciously used, and proportioned to the size of the placeprovided the composition and accompaniment be written in grave andsuitable style, and conform in all respects to that proper to the organ.”
By the mid 1910s, saxophone had become a part of the jazz culture. However, that still didn't help its image. Jazz “lowers all the moral standards. Unlike liquor, a great deal of its harm is direct and immediate.”, this from a December 1921 issue of Ladies Home Journal.
The associations with the instrument continue to this day, from gender to even sultry sax renditions in spicy love scenes in movies and TV shows. It is also common in mood music.
For example,
Here is a youtube video of sax music for whatever needs that may arise, such as love.
Furthermore, sax is considered one of the most iconic Jazz instruments, Charlie Parker is a quintessential Jazz artist, perhaps one of the greatest saxophonists to ever live. His style undoubtedly shaped Jazz to what we know it as today.
This song below is “Ornithology” and particularly interesting song which uses the same chord changes as “How High The Moon”
Timbre and Aesthetics.
The horn itself has a distinctive sound. The warm sound is produced by a reed and is blown to a metal body. It has many keys, which have been refined and added upon throughout the years. The instrument can have beautiful designs and now is in many different colors. Normally it is brass or silver in color. There are several common saxophones, the tenor, alto, baritone and soprano. However, there are other less known and played models available.
Capacity and Instrumentation
By design, the saxophone is very resonant and fills the air with sound. The reed vibrates against the mouthpiece and is amplifies by the brass body of the instrument which not only creates a loud sound but also allows the sound to carry. The saxophone ranges from decently quiet to very loud and is thereby able to be used in both small ensembles, as a solo act and in larger groups. However, it is not necessary to have more than a few in a Wind Ensemble or Concert Band. In fact, because of their unique sound and fairly recent history, saxophones are not frequently used in symphony orchestras due to both the conductors choice and lack of music written that includes them. More recently saxophone only ensembles have emerged, like the example below with more music being written and performed for Saxophone Quartets and Choirs.
Association of Sexuality/Gender
The saxophone has long been associated with passion and is often utilized to strike a mood. Elaborating on what was previously mentioned, the tune below, the saxophone is used to illustrate the flirty female lead, Lee Remick, in the 1959 film noir Anatomy of a Murder. It is definitely associated with passion and sensuality. However, when thinking of famous sax players almost all that come to mind are men. Even though the saxophone has been defined as a more androgynous instrument (Dolorfino 2011) falling somewhere in the middle of the masculine-feminine range, the instrument is primarily associated with male performers like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Jonny Hodges or even Kenny G. As a young female saxophone student I was told by my teacher that saxophones were made to be played by big black men, not small white women. This could have to do with any number of reasons, societal norms, roles of women, type of music played, time when music was performed, for what purpose.
Overall, the sax is perhaps one of the most interesting instruments of the last two centuries, from it being a kind of novelty, to becoming one of the most popular instruments in Western Culture. It has associations and connotations to so many different groups and ideological fundamentals. Perhaps a distinct sound can do that.
Credits:
Jonna
- Build Blog
- Association of Sexuality/Gender
- Capacity/Instrumentation
- Item of Technology
Chase
- Spiritual Associations
- Ideas about Particular Instruments (Saxophone)
- Timbre
Kailee
- Classification
- Item of Commodity
- Bibliography
- Credits
- Post to Sakai
Resources:
Dolorfino, Justine. "Gender Associations and Musical Instruments - Leading Notes." Leading Notes. N.p., 2014. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
MidnightSwinger. "Duke Ellington - Flirtibird (Anatomy of a Murder)." YouTube. YouTube, 2012. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
s13. "Noah Jenkins - Transfuse Performed by PRISM Quartet." YouTube. YouTube, 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
ARTISMUSICtv. "SELMER How Saxophones Are Made." YouTube. YouTube, 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
Scimonetti. "This Original Adolphe Saxophone circa Late 1800's." YouTube. YouTube, 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
60otaku4. "Charlie Parker Quintet at Birdland - Ornithology." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.
YourRelaxMusic1. "Romantic Relaxing Saxophone Music. Healing Background Music for Stress Relief, Love, Massage, Study." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Oct. 2015. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.
Langley, William. "The Devil's Horn Always Plays the Best Tunes." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 20 June 2011. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
Mahon, John R. "Jazz Must Go." Jazz Must Go. Ladies Home Journal December 1921, 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.
N.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2016. <http://www.yamaha.com/US/html_modules/sax/images/YTS26_web.jpg>.
Pope Pius X. "Tra Le Sollecitudini." Tra Le Sollecitudini. N.p., 1999. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment