Monday, December 30, 2013

Blog#7: The saxophone (Mizuki Yanagisawa)

Hello, this is Mizuki Yanagisawa. Today, I want to introduce a fantastic music instrument, which is called the saxophone.

From my experience, I can say that the saxophone is my best friend. It is because I have played it for around 8 years. I was in the wind orchestra club when I was in middle school and high school, and played saxophone almost every day. Playing the saxophone is very fun and made me relax or sometimes excited. However, how many people know the saxophone? Do you know what form is? Do you know what color is? Do you know what sounds like? Although it is very popular instrument in Jazz music, perhaps some people have never seen or heard it.

The saxophone is the woodwind music instrument which form is like a big curved straw. Usually, it is coated with gold lacquer or silver lacquer, just like this: 




Moreover, the saxophone has a variety of its sounds. In the wind orchestra, it sounds very soft, and in Jazz band or big band it sounds brightly which is almost like a brass instrument such as trumpet or trombone. Therefore, it is sometimes called “almighty” or “all-powerful” music instrument. In both Jazz band and woodwind orchestra, the saxophone plays a role in a “hero” any other instruments due to its flexibility.

Furthermore, did you know that the saxophone is not included in the orchestra instruments? It is because the saxophone was firstly made in 1840 which is quite new comparing to other orchestra instruments such as violin, viola, or contrabass. However, instead of being included in orchestra instruments, it is the main instrument in Jazz or wind ensemble as I have already said in above.

Finally, I want to introduce the music of saxophone. Here is the song of saxophone quartet (四重奏)



As you watch it, you will notice that there are four types of saxophone: soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax and baritone sax. These four are different in their sound and how high their sounds are. The harmony of these different sounds will make you fascinated and excited. I hope you will enjoy this song. Additionally, if you are interested in the saxophone, I strongly recommend you to go to the concert and listen to the real sound of the saxophone!


Thank you for reading, and please enjoy your new year holiday.




5 comments:

  1. Hello, this is Nao Murakami. I knew what saxophone is, but did not know that much. So I could learn a lot about it from your blog. I loved the song of saxophone quartet. It was very beautiful. I want to listen to you playing it someday!!

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  2. Hi, this is Misaki. I learned that sounds of saxophone sometimes represent lonliness in professor Fitzsimons class, so l had the image of melancholy for it. I was surprised to hear that the saxophone plays a role in a “hero”, but I understood that, because sounds of saxophone are very beautiful!! Anyway, thank you for introducing saxophone.

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  3. Hello, this is Yurina Mori. When I was a junior high school student, I sometimes went to jazz concert with my friend who joined wind orchestra club. But, I didn't know about saxophone well so I am glad for your introducing. I think I want to jazz concert again.

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  4. Hello, this is Momoko Watanabe, Thanks to your blog, I could learn many new things. I could know that saxophone is very cool that it can make various sounds! I want to listen real sound of it someday.

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  5. This is Ms. MacGregor. Thanks for your blog. What is your favourite type of sax? I like the soprano sax and especially like the playing of Brandon Marsalis. His tracks with Sting are great. I also like the bari sax because the sound is so gutsy. Sometimes though, the saxophone can sound very noisy, so I dont't like to listen to it as BGM when I go to a restaurant.

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