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Saxaphone vs. Trumpet...Which do you prefer?

It’s not the first time I’ve thought about it, but it came up again last night as I was listening to Quintessence volume 2, Stan Getz and Chet Baker recorded live. (an amazing disc) I have to say that for myself, I prefer the saxophone because it seems capable of infinite textures and subtle shadings as well as eye opening dynamic shifts. Of course I love the trumpet too; especially in the hands of a player like Chet Baker.


128x128roxy54

Showing 8 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 

Jazz trumpeters playing ballads in the mid and low register of that magnificent instrument, utter musical beauty. Think Gene Tierney or Grace Kelly. I could be happy with Gene,  Grace or Sophia. Different flavors, all good.

Charles

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charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
I fall in line with Frogman in that one instrument isn’t "easier" to play or master than another. Watching the above video displayed 5 truly superb musicians who’ve mastered their respective instrument, is it more difficult to play the drum kit to the level of Tony Williams or acoustic bass like Ron Carter? Herbie Hancock’s piano or Henderson’s tenor saxophone?

I believe it’s analogous to athletic talent in that people have very specific skill sets.Could Freddie Hubbard have been a great saxophonist or Henderson a great drummer? Tiger Woods beats Michael Jordan all day and any time on a golf course. Jordan over Tiger on the basketball court. Usain Bolt handles both of them with ease on the track. Some people were just born to be extraordinarily special at a specific task. Consider different skill sets on the same instrument. Theloneus Monk vs Oscar Peterson, both of them iconic jazz pianists  yet so different.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 

Frogman,

thank you very much for your informative reply. I knew if anyone could provide a  reas
onable and thoughtful reeponse it would be you. Regarding the baritone saxophone I find it interesting that two recognized masters of this instrument (Gerry Mulligan and Pepper Adams)  have such distinctly different sounds. I enjoy both of them immensely.

Charles

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charles1dad
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+1  Thad Jones very much under appreciated IMHO. Fabulous talent and tone. The same could be said of trumpeter Fats Navarro, enormous talent who died too early.

Charles

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charles1dad
10,222 posts
 

Trainsam,

Do you also play the cornet or fugelhorn as well? I am enjoying this thread.

Charles

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charles1dad
10,222 posts
 

Hi Frogman,

 If anyone  could answer this question it would be you. Is the baritone saxophone more difficult to play/master due to its size and bulk compared to the smaller saxophones or is this just urban lore?

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
Parker65310,
I have no doubt that Roxy54 is keenly aware of and recognizes the musician’s expression is of paramount importance and the highest priority (along with talent). Roxy is a music lover and the question posed is a fun and interesting way to generate a sharing of individual perspectives of musicians we greatly admire and their respective instruments.

I could easily assemble a list of superb saxaphonists. Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Johnny Griffin, you get the idea😀. It’s fun discussing these marvelous people (- and the instruments they have surely mastered).
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
Hi Roxy54,
You posted a very fun question for a committed jazz fan such as myself.
As has been stated above both are tremendous in the hands of a talented musician. In the spirit of this thread where a preference is requested I’ll go with the magnificent trumpet.

Simply sublime with Bop, ballads,blues, modal etc. Upper register pyrotechnics or mid/lower register sensual introspective from the soul playing. Just think, Miles, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Chet, Art Farmer, Wynton, Kenny Dorham,Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove and on and on😊😊. Trumpet and Fugelhorn = sheer beauty.
Charles
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