Forum of the Saxes

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

As stated by JPSaxMan, I would feel privileged to have the opportunity to ply your trade on the Bari. And I agree that your director is probably trying to fill a part he thinks you could benefit from getting to know a little better...the baritone/bass/tenor line of the music.

When I started it really took me by surprise for about 2 days. I had made the switch from Tenor to Bari. I had to relax my embrochure to even get a sound out of it. I played with the sound for a few days and got the hang of it. When I switched back to tenor for concert season my lips hurt for days afterward.

Expect to really learn that bass line...to me that's the best part of it. I like to be the anchor for the many chords going on around me. When I get the melody I listen to others around me and just enjoy making that part of the music with them.

As for physical issues, again I agree with the previous posts saying you should expect to lug around a lot of metal, use lots of air, and really learn the meaning of 'support' of the airstream.

Here's another tip. Play the horn for a couple of days and see how easy it is to blow those pianissimo notes from D1 on down. If you know you're making good music with the rest of the horn and you can't get those notes out, ask your director to get the thing in the shop for some emergency surgery. In fact, I'd have the director put the horn in the shop ahead of you getting it (if possible) to make sure it's you that needs to adjust, not the horn. Starting with a good tight horn from the beginning will help immensely!

_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!