Why YOU Should Get a SOPRANO Sax

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2024

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  • @AllenMusicTalk
    @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Are you thinking about getting a soprano sax? If so, what made you want to get one?

    • @StephenJSpeirs
      @StephenJSpeirs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The sound! I also think it will take me into different styles of music.

    • @michael-xo1gl
      @michael-xo1gl 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Love the sound compared to the other saxophones. What sax would you recommend to a TRUE beginner? Thanks and hope to jam with you one day

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Most people start out on the alto sax because it the easiest to carry around and requires less air than the tenor.

    • @samuelashford5198
      @samuelashford5198 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes I want to do smooth jazz

    • @JayVr72
      @JayVr72 ปีที่แล้ว

      I want to try to be the first person the first person in my school to march soprano plus I want to learn an Bb

  • @ГеннадийМалышев-р4с
    @ГеннадийМалышев-р4с 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I've been playing the alto saxophone all the time, but a few years ago I heard K. Gee I really liked his style and his soprano sound ! I got a good Chinese soprano and started practicing on it, but I'm not giving up the alto saxophone!

  • @thomaskipfer1008
    @thomaskipfer1008 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This Allen Music thing grows on a person. He’s refined and friendly. I bought first sop a few years ago… brought me into a new realm, I love the thing! Buying a Pro horn is like an instant upgrade to soprano. I bought a Borgani used…. Plays like new! Mpc is a personal thing. My favorite is a Chinese copy of Yanagisawa. It plays the stars out of the sky! Thanks for your video’s- soprano sax is fabulous; pro horns are worth the money

  • @kairinase
    @kairinase ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Not a Soprano Saxophone, I'm thinking of getting myself a Soprano Venova. Watching this really helps.

  • @gbjib3827
    @gbjib3827 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I’m a saxophone noob about 7 months in at the tender age of 59 playing tenor. When friends and acquaintances found out that I was pursuing sax, a plethora of their kids altos came out of the closets to offer me a new path.😅 So, by month 3, I added alto to my journey and I enjoy playing both. I am attracted to playing 80s/70s pop and it’s coming along well. I can memorize songs in 3-7 days so I spend most of my time working on rhythm and technique. Although my original idea was to add a bari in a year or two, I have swerved into wanting a soprano…It arrives tomorrow. 😂
    I will be following you for more information to help me along my journey. Thank you for providing great and diverse information Allen!

    • @Skyhi106
      @Skyhi106 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Straight or curved?

  • @BKrystall
    @BKrystall 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I have a vintage curved soprano saxophone and it has a sweet sound. It’s better than the straight version. It’s fun to play along with the tenor and baritone.

  • @1nonlycricket
    @1nonlycricket 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love my soprano sax.❤️ It's the only sax I've ever played after playing the clarinet. I plan to get a tenor eventually. In the meantime, I'm learning how to play it sweetly.😅

  • @normanfrancomaui
    @normanfrancomaui 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I got too soprano saxophones. One straight bell the other a curve bell. I like the straight bell better and find it easier to play but sometimes on certain songs the curve bell songs better. You are right playing the soprano helps me to play the alto and tenor better. Aloha from Maui, N Franco

  • @gareylcarson637
    @gareylcarson637 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have been a tenor/bari player for a long time. I play in a big band weekly and a German band in the season. I recently retired, was given a soprano sax as a gift and it has indeed changed the way I look at playing. It is curved which makes it more travel friendly and easier to practice while on vacation. As you have mentioned, opening up a new world to explore.

  • @aljerones99
    @aljerones99 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I just got my soprano sax 2 days ago. I started to learn about 6 years ago on the alto but struggled with it. I have wide shoulders, long arms and big hands. I then bought a tenor, which I love and learnt how to relax my body while playing. As a result, what I learned on tenor helped me on my alto playing. I thought that owning 2 saxes would be enough. I practice almost every day and I am not a professional musician. I never intended to own a soprano saxophone. Because of my love for the instrument and my occasional traveling, I finally decided to get one, as it is easier to take on a plane and least of a hassle to carry around.
    I struggled a bit with my embouchure on day 1 but quickly improved on day 2. I find that I need less air play ,longer lines than on the others and because the mouthpiece is so small, I occasionally struggle in transitioning between low and high notes. Training with a tuner is important to me.
    I find that the fingerings is taking some getting used to, because the instrument is smaller but moreso, it it straight and not curved.
    Could you present a video the use of the throat and embouchure adjustment for this instrument?
    I'd really appreciate it.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hey Alex, thanks for sharing! let me know how things go as you keep getting used to your soprano. I’ll work on a video to help with throat position!

    • @aljerones99
      @aljerones99 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Allen Music Talk , I discovered today that some frustrations I encountered on my soprano sax, (hitting a G, dead on), was directly related to the reed I was using. My horn was recently serviced by my technician who also works on my alto and tenor. So, I know that the instrument is playing well.
      This is a very surpring revelation for me. I have never had a problem hitting one particular note on the tenor or alto! Is this a soprano thing or could it happen on others?
      I fussed on the soprano, regulating my embouchure, thinking that I had to be the problem. I eventually switched to another reed and hit G flawlessly. I returned to the previous reed and the problem recurred!
      I carefully clipped the reed and also adjusted it with my reed geek and the same problem shifted to the E.
      This is very odd. I have never known a reed to affect one note in particular. Have you ever experienced this?

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah, if what you’re referring to is accidentally hitting overtones instead of the note you’re going for, that happens to me a lot when my reed strength is off a bit. Is that what you meant?

    • @aljerones99
      @aljerones99 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      No. I understand that overtone problem because I experienced it too. In this case, I had to "clamp down" on the mouthpiece to get the G out. I did not have to do it for the F, though the F# was flakey. I did not have to do it for A but the Ab was also flakey. I just could not sound/start a G. I could, however, play the G only if I played through it. So, I could play E, F, G, A, B but to play G as the first require a special embouchure adjustment.
      Like I said, with a different reed and same mouthpiece the problem disappeared.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Okay, that’s a completely new one to me! I’m glad that the reed change fixed everything. Maybe it was that specific reed that was bad. It’s strange that the problem just went to the E once you worked on the reed.

  • @Nuel.Music14
    @Nuel.Music14 ปีที่แล้ว

    Been playing the alto sax for 9 years, thinking about adding the soprano!

  • @99rudyrude
    @99rudyrude ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m debating between the tenor and soprano and yes soprano is sweet having said that if you like ballads which would be Betty?

  • @johncaswell2648
    @johncaswell2648 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I was always an alto player, but I picked up a soprano back in 2020 (dunno if that's good or bad timing). I really like it, I wouldn't say mine is a "good" instrument, it's an inexpensive, Chinese made student instrument, but I was fairly lucky and I got one that's well put together and plays in tune, so it's good enough for me.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Hey John, what‘s the biggest difference between playing alto and soprano in your opinion?

    • @johncaswell2648
      @johncaswell2648 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@AllenMusicTalk I'd say the biggest difference is in controlling my air, which right now is a good thing for me because I don't quite have my lungs back, but I have to be more careful with my air pressure and embouchure (including throat shape) to keep it in tune. I'm lucky that while I'm not a great musician, I did get some decent ear training so I know when I'm out of tune, and I definitely have to be more careful on soprano to keep it in tune, especially anything above high B. On the other hand, it's currently easier for me to play the entire range of the instrument than my alto because I don't have to move quite as much air, so as I'm building my lung capacity back up it gives me more options.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That’s a great point, yeah there’s definitely a sweet spot for the amount of air to put through each type of sax. Thanks for sharing

  • @smoothvelvetsinger
    @smoothvelvetsinger ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've become enthralled with the soprano saxophone the last couple of years. It has become my favorite saxophone together with the tenor. I have a Roy Benson SS-101 that I purchased used in October last year, and last week I ordered a second one. It's a silver and gold soprano, modeled on the Yanagisawa SWO37. I just had to buy it, it's a lovely color combination. It's made in China😊 My Roy Benson is also made in China. Good video👍

  • @martatessi
    @martatessi ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much. It's true, it's a totally different sound. You have to be very subtle and precise and not all saxophonists want to teach the soprano sax. I insist on my choice. I adore my little curved soprano sax. Thank you very much for your advice

  • @milivojstojanovic5894
    @milivojstojanovic5894 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I try it yesterday YS 475II, ATER YAS 23 9 YEARS AND YTS 62 6YEARS, about one hour a week, it is easy to play by ear es other saxaphons and it is emazing experience of tone qualiety. I am psychiatrist in Šibenik, Croatia and play saxophones from my 54.y to 63y , and soprano is something wich you realy need to try....playing by ear is the easy way to learn to play, avoid sheet for music if you love thevstructure of you brain!

  • @alanbarnes6270
    @alanbarnes6270 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am thinking about. Because I started of on Clarinet but

  • @angelvasquez5066
    @angelvasquez5066 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’m a guitar player and keyboard player. I’ve always wanted to play a horn instrument. Even though I’ll have to start from 0 on a sax 🎷 I have a good ear and can learn quickly. Should I get a alto sax or soprano??

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’d say that alto is the better choice if you’re getting your first saxophone.

  • @bobblues1158
    @bobblues1158 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I am 77 and have played soprano along with mostly tenor since I was 25. I play it almost daily because it puts me in a trumpet player space. And since I live in a city where I can walk to where I will play, It is easier to carry. But as I said , it really affects me conceptually, so if the music really requires tenor, I have a tenor case with wheels or I take a bus or the subway. What soprano are you holding here? It looks like one of the palm keys is extended. Great video!!

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Bob! I'm playing an Antigua Winds Powerbell soprano sax here

  • @hypehennesse
    @hypehennesse 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I played Alto for a a couple months and quickly realized I just dont want to play sax, I want to play Soprano! I play with an Eastar Soprano off Amazon that I got for under $200 due to it being "used" and while I know its not the best by any means, I am and was super excited about it. I have found that this horn seems to be good enough to learn a bit and plan on upgrading as soon as I feel my playing will benefit it most. Im curious what Soprano's you have found to be good horns. Im really liking the P. Mauriat System 76 2nd edition.
    How do you go about cleaning the tone hole and pads for G#? It may just be my cheap horn but I cant get to it due to it being blocked at every angle, Id be lucky to get a pipe cleaner in there lol.
    Btw great job on the Aaliyah cover, I grew up during that time and I had never heard that song before!

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Hey thanks! It’s cool to hear about how you decided to play soprano. It’s great that you could start with the Eastar too. Anything that gets you learning is perfect.
      I use a key leaves spit sponge to clean the pads, even the G# on soprano amzn.to/3KSxtXX

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The P.Mauriat system 76 2nd edition is a great horn btw. I wish that I had one.

    • @hypehennesse
      @hypehennesse 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@AllenMusicTalk Definitely going to get me some of these, Ive seen them before but slipped my mind. Here I am playing with a sticky key....

  • @josiahsegovia9248
    @josiahsegovia9248 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just subbed! Hope the algorithm is in your favor, coming from tenor saxophone player

  • @luisfigueroa4598
    @luisfigueroa4598 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have one. I like the sound. The blowing is very very very hard. I just started to play about 3 months ago. I am 71 years old. What is a good way to keep your air flow on a steady stream. How do you combat a soar throat?

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Luis, for a sore throat, I would rest whenever it starts to hurt, it’s not worth pushing through pain when playing saxophone. To prevent the sore throat, you may be able to choose a softer reed to make it easier to play.

  • @SuperJxl
    @SuperJxl ปีที่แล้ว

    should i get a soprano sax if i havent played any other saxes before but have played clarinet

  • @Rrc36381
    @Rrc36381 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi from France ,
    Your vidéos are excellent. But I have a question: I play the tenor, and I hesitate between a Soprano or an Alto to expand my sound palette. I like the sound of the soprano, but also the sound of the Alto. a choice.
    I play Jazz/Fusion/Smooth and contemporary orchestral.
    What would be the right choice?
    Many thanks

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Patrick, the natural next saxophone to play would be the soprano. It will give you a sound that your tenor won't give you, and it will be in the same transposition. After a while you can consider adding the alto as your third saxophone. If I could only play two, it would be tenor and soprano.

    • @Rrc36381
      @Rrc36381 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AllenMusicTalk Many thanks for your quick feedback.
      Just another question :
      I prefer a curved neck, but a good soprano with a curved neck is to expansive (Yanagisawa for exemple), then I will take the Yamaha 475 II which has a straight neck.But it is less comfortable ?.
      Do you think i could use the strap with this straight soprano ?.
      Many people sat it is very uncomfortable without curved neck, posture and weight of the instrument on the right hand etc...
      that's why most play on a curved neck.
      Many thanks

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Most straight soprano saxophones come with both a curved and a straight neck in the case. There is a good chance that the models that you were looking at also have a curved neck included.

    • @Rrc36381
      @Rrc36381 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AllenMusicTalk, Unfortunately, the Yamaha 475 II that I chose is a straight model, not curved.🤨

  • @aljerones99
    @aljerones99 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So ... what kind of mouthpiece do you recommend for a straight soprano saxophone?

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Alex, these days I’m using a hard rubber mouthpiece with my soprano. Something to consider is that a small tip opening mpc is helpful for staying in tune.

    • @aljerones99
      @aljerones99 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AllenMusicTalk ... Thanks. I have a Yamaha 4C, which is currently my default mp that i use with a 2.5 reed but not sure I'm getting the best sound (or at least the sound I'm after). I tend to like a warm, round, mellow sound. Something closer to what Walter Beasley sounds like.
      Do you have any recommendations?

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      If you use this chart and choose a mouthpiece around the low to mid 70s range, it will be similar to what Walter Beasley uses (#5 from keilworth).he uses a #2 Rico royal reed with it.

  • @KrisVComm
    @KrisVComm 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Started my sax on soprano (came from clarinet). This was before Kenny G. The instrument has gotten a bad rap since.

  • @StephenJSpeirs
    @StephenJSpeirs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I decided to get a Soprano sax 2 weeks ago (on a waiting list), been thinking about it for a while (I'm a tenor sax and clarinet player). Can you (or anyone else) recommend any good sheet music books, transcription book etc that have pieces that will let me get the best of the new sax when it arrives. Part of my reason for getting the soprano is to tackle different sounding music. I like to play both smooth jazz and classical (aka more technical demanding pieces). Thanks!

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I usually end up playing from books that are for both tenor and soprano. I’m interested to hear what others recommend.

    • @Janna52
      @Janna52 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You can find a lot of different levels and styles to play along or to learn from on TH-cam….
      For me my “goal" is to play as easily like I sing improvising along with (pop)songs a.o.

    • @StephenJSpeirs
      @StephenJSpeirs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Janna52 thanks for the tip - and this is true. However .. and call me old -fashioned :-) .... I like to have sheet music. I have a book of Grover Washington transcriptions that I am working through on Tenor, this will be first point of call when my soprano arrives. Keen to hear any other recommendations on good music for the soprano sax - esp books

  • @robfleming5588
    @robfleming5588 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I know it's a sacrilege in the sax world, but my soprano serves as a clarinet on steroids when, in my big band settings, clarinet is called for and I have not been able to master that instrument.

  • @jminich887
    @jminich887 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Question: I started playing soprano a few months ago and I notice some considerable air resistance with middle c and middle b. Is this normal? I don't have the most high quality instrument but idk if this is normal or where this problem might come from.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Do you mean that it sounds like air is escaping? And by middle c and b, are you using the fingering where most of the keys are pressed down?

    • @jminich887
      @jminich887 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AllenMusicTalk Middle as in middle of the staff, I'm only pressing down one key for either of the notes. And whenever I play those notes it feels as if I have to blow more air to fully play the note.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s a little strange. There might be something wrong with the saxophone because those are usually the easiest notes to play.

    • @jminich887
      @jminich887 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@AllenMusicTalk It is a cheaper one since I don't really have the money for a "good" one lol. That's probably why.

    • @AllenMusicTalk
      @AllenMusicTalk  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Possibly. It may be fixable by a repairman if you think it’s worthwhile

  • @maxaudibert5793
    @maxaudibert5793 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m an organist in Greenland. Real organ are a challenge to find, so I’m thinking to learn to play with a smaller instrument. Is it possible to learn a sax soprano alone through yt, anyone try?

  • @Worldindecline690
    @Worldindecline690 ปีที่แล้ว

    No ❤ for the bari...

  • @coltonmc09
    @coltonmc09 ปีที่แล้ว

    You got soprano sax money for me????

  • @lessanderfer7195
    @lessanderfer7195 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why you should get a Soprano Saxophone:
    1) You are too small, weak or lazy, to lug a real Saxophone
    2) You're on a budget, but "the show must go on"
    3) You are a Eunuch, and this IS the frequency of your natural voice
    4) If you play a Clarinet, everyone will think you're a Sissy
    5) If you play a Clarinet, everyone will know you are not Cool enough to play a Saxophone

  • @darrylsmith4294
    @darrylsmith4294 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's a flute played like a tenorsax! With the nastiness of an altosax. If that make any sense. Very characteristic.. and unforgiving like a nuclear bomb, the best of all saxes