Innovators of the Saxophone Sound: A Retrospective of the Saxophonists Who Popularized and Defined the Sound & Style 1945 - Present

Innovators of the Saxophone Sound: A Retrospective of the Saxophonists Who Popularized and Defined the Sound & Style 1945 - Present

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Download Presentation (.mp4) (566.1 MB)

Abstract

My decision to focus this project specifically on the aesthetic qualities of the saxophone sound, was based on and inspired by my own reflections and experiences as a professional saxophonist for over 40 years. Having transcribed the artists, who are the subjects of my exploratory research, I can honestly say that I have learned my craft by borrowing from these masters. My method for displaying these aesthetics as they relate to the saxophone sound, is from 9 select videos set into an evolutionary timeline. Through a process of comparative analysis based on my chosen parameters, the videos were assembled into an audio-visual presentation. My use of sub-tones, vibrato, riff based motifs, false fingerings, flutter tonguing, overtone series and, harmonics, is all derived from players past as well as my peers. It would be fair to say that my life’s work as a tenor saxophonist and multi-winds instrumentalist in many respects, is based on the codified vocabulary of gestures and sounds set forth by my predecessors. This language is inherently unique to the saxophone, and this is the focus of my research.

Publication Date

7-1-2018

Campus

Valencia (Spain) Campus

Keywords

aesthetic; qualities; saxophone; reflections; analyzing; language; gestures; masters

Comments

Project Components: paper (.pdf), presentation (.mp4).

Innovators of the Saxophone Sound: A Retrospective of the Saxophonists Who Popularized and Defined the Sound & Style 1945 - Present

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