alto sax
Bebop horn, curved
An alto sax is the most common member of the saxophone family, pitched in E-flat and occupying the middle range between soprano and tenor.
It's the standard instrument for beginners and dominates jazz, concert band, and popular music: She played alto sax in the school band.
Also called alto saxophone.
Single-reed woodwind instrument
- fluteTube blown sideways
- oboeTwin-reed wind instrument
- concert pitchStandard tuning frequency
- doublingMultiplying by two
Fast, complex jazz style
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- fusionJoining into unity
- coolCalm or fashionable
hard bop · modal · syncopation · groove · jam session · standards · combo · quartet
One who speaks officially
Wind player's mouth position
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- articulationClear vocal expression
- tonguingWind instrument note separation
- overtonesImplicit secondary meanings
voicing · fingering · intonation · subtone · growling · circular breathing · scales · arpeggios
clarinet
Single-reed woodwind instrument
- fluteTube blown sideways
- oboeTwin-reed wind instrument
- concert pitchStandard tuning frequency
Charlie Parker
Bebop alto saxophone innovator
bebop
Fast, complex jazz style
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- fusionJoining into unity
cool · hard bop · modal · syncopation · groove · jam session · standards · combo · quartet · ballad
mouthpiece
One who speaks officially
bell · keys · pads · cork · strap · case · stand · swab · Yamaha · Meyer
embouchure
Wind player's mouth position
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- articulationClear vocal expression
- tonguingWind instrument note separation
overtones · voicing · fingering · intonation · subtone · growling · circular breathing · scales · arpeggios · intervals
alto, sax, saxophone, saxophonist, altos, saxophones, saxophonists