Saxophone-alto is a wind musical instrument. It was created in 1842. It was developed by Adolf Sachs - master of musical affairs from Belgium. It is less than a tenor saxophone. It is considered the most popular in its family. Widely used in jazz and classical compositions.
History
1840 is considered the date of creation of the saxophone. Sachs is a Belgian master who designed an instrument that later served as a replacement for a copper cumbersome officeride. In 1841, he created a serpentine metal structure with a special valve system shown at a special exhibition. An important element of the new development was a special mouthpiece for saxophone-alto. 1844 is famous for the first participation of a musical instrument together with other wind instruments in the composition, which Hector Berlioz conducted . In December 1844, he became part of the opera orchestra for the first time. In 1845, saxophone-alto finds application in the military orchestra of Paris. In the 1870-1871 gg. The outbreak of war caused a decrease in interest in this musical instrument. At the beginning of the 20th century, our hero again begins to gain popularity, and a new stage in his development is reached. Saxophone today, in the current jazz, is the leading instrument, and the classical compositions give a deeper sound.
Design
The saxophone-alto consists of three main parts - an esque, a body and a bell. Let us consider them in more detail. The mouthpiece is fixed on the esque. Features of the structure of this element depend on the musical direction for which the named instrument will be used. Reeds for saxophone are attached to the mouthpiece with the help of ligature and serve as sound-forming elements. The size of these items can vary depending on the type of saxophone. To protect the cane from damage allows a special protective cap.
Sound
If you are writing notes for an alto saxophone, remember that its structure is in E flat. This tool is transposing. Thus, there is a discrepancy between the notes being played and written. Let us give an example. If you play notes for an alto saxophone, the sounding up corresponds to the E flat. The range consists of such registers: high, medium, low. Each has its own characteristics. The sounds that the instrument produces on the average register are similar to the voice of a person. Strengthening the dynamics, the musician can achieve a much more expressive sound that borders on drama. The piercing of the upper register creates a sense of tension, which is not devoid of brilliance and inner extravaganza. The shade can vary from mezzo-fort to loud. In the upper register, a musical instrument generates screaming sounds, you can hear them only in a special dynamic. The music created by our hero is incredibly bright and expressive. It can sometimes give the composition the necessary tension, in harmony with other sounds emanating from other instruments of the orchestra.
Famous musicians
Among the jazz representatives who chose this instrument, Paul Desmond, John Zorn, Phil Woods, Anthony Braxton, David Sanborn, Eric Dolphy, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Dorsey, Kenny Garrett, Charlie Parker deserved worldwide fame. In the society of performers of classical works, our hero is also popular. In particular, he was given preference: Evgeny Russo, Otis Murphy, Arno Bornkamp, Kenneth Tse, Jean-Marie Londe, Larry Teale, Donald Cinta, Frederic Hemke, Lawrence Hworth, Jean-Yves Fourmo, Sigurd Rascher, Marcel Mul. This instrument is used in orchestral and jazz music. For him, a large number of classical concerts were created. We will discuss this in more detail in the next section.
Through the ages
Alto saxophone has a huge classical repertoire, which includes solo with piano and orchestra. The most famous are works by Alexander Glazunov and Jacques Iber. He also used in his work by Georges Bizet. In his symphony Domestica, Richard Strauss added a batch for 4 saxophones, among them there is an alto. In his suites, Dmitry Shostakovich also asked for help from our hero. Sergei Rachmaninoff included the alto saxophone in "Symphonic Dances". Alban Berg also paid much attention to this instrument, in particular, in the late orchestral compositions. These include the opera "Lulu" and "Violin Concerto". In some works of George Gershwin, this musical instrument sounds particularly bright and organic. Today in the creation of saxophones the main positions are assigned to several companies. In particular, KHS / Jupiter, Amati, Yanagisawa, Selmer Paris, Cannonball, Keilwerth, Yamaha, Conn-Selmer, Buffet Crampon. Now you know what saxophone-alto is and what its features are. When choosing a musical instrument, do not buy the most affordable, however, and spend money on a professional does not make sense, especially if you have not yet mastered the basics of handling it. You can choose a saxophone made of ebonite or plastic.