| The saxophone section in a big band consists of 5 | | | | itself well to supplying harmony and harmonic "pads" to |
| players - two altos, two tenors and one baritone sax. | | | | a big band arrangement or composition. In ballads, for |
| In a traditional big band setup, the saxes are located in | | | | example, the saxes are often written as lush voicings |
| the first (front) row of three rows of horn players. The | | | | that provide all the necessary notes of a chord. They |
| trombones and trumpets are found in the rows directly | | | | are used in this manner within an arrangement as |
| behind the saxes. | | | | background to a soloist, or as counter melody to |
| Saxophones are considered agile instruments, much | | | | another instrument. |
| like the clarinet and flute. They are able to play fast | | | | Solos and Solis |
| lines or perform effects that cannot be achieved so | | | | The tenor saxophone is one of the more popular solo |
| easily on a brass instrument. This characteristic gives | | | | instruments in jazz, so it only makes sense that tenor |
| them the ability to cover very fast passages within the | | | | solos are written quite regularly throughout the big |
| ensemble - passages that would be too difficult for the | | | | band music repertoire. Although any of the saxes are |
| brass section to pull off. | | | | called upon at one time or another for solos, the tenor |
| Melodic Roles | | | | seems to get more improvised solos than the others. |
| Saxophones are often called on to state the melody | | | | Baritone sax solos are written sparingly throughout big |
| of a big band composition or arrangement. Playing in | | | | band literature. Depending on the level of skill of the |
| unison gives them the power to cut through punches | | | | players, solo sections can be passed around so that |
| and harmony played by the brass section. When | | | | good soloists - even bari sax players - have a chance |
| stating the melody as a section (i.e. 4-5 part voicings) | | | | to shine. |
| the lead alto player must project the lead line so it can | | | | Sax solis occur when the saxophone section is |
| be heard above other instrumental activity going on | | | | featured by itself by playing a composed jazz "solo". A |
| within the arrangement at any given time. | | | | soli is most often composed in four or five part |
| Saxes can also be coupled with other instruments to | | | | harmony that is voiced for the entire section. The lead |
| create a homogeneous sound. Altos are often | | | | line is played by Alto 1, while the rest of the section is |
| combined with trumpet, while tenor saxes are most | | | | voiced below the lead line and follows in rhythmic |
| often found sharing a melody with one or more | | | | unison. In a four part setting, the bari sax player will |
| trombones. These melodic couplings work well | | | | often double the alto melody at the octave. |
| because the timbre of trumpet and trombone are | | | | The saxophone section is an integral part of any big |
| similar to the alto and tenor respectively. Baritone sax | | | | band in a variety of ways. Brass players may |
| at times plays melody alone, or coupled with bass | | | | complain that the saxophones are written too many |
| trombone. | | | | solos, but it is hard to beat a terrific saxophone section |
| Harmonic Roles | | | | ripping through a difficult Thad Jones or Don Menza |
| Because the sax section covers a wide range, it lends | | | | soli. As they say, if you can't beat them, join them! |