Saxophone Trivia

1. With which section of the orchestra does a saxophone sit?

From Quiz Orchestral Saxophone

Answer: Woodwind

As it is a woodwind instrument, the saxophone joins that section of the orchestra when required. It usually sits beside the bass clarinet, in front of the horns. Unfortunately, the saxophone has never managed to become a regular member of the orchestra but modern composers are using it with more and more frequency.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: Charlie Parker

Charlie "Bird" Parker (1920-1955), is considered one of the very greatest jazz musicians. He was one of the leading pioneers of the 'Be-bop' style. Parker had constant problems with substance addiction and often pawned or sold his saxophone to buy drugs. Though his death at 34 was caused by pneumonia, it was precipitated by his lifestyle. The coroner examining his body estimated his age at between 50 and 60.

From Quiz Saxophone Quiz

Answer: Adolphe Sax

This was a gimme. Sax first got the patent for his instrument in 1849. Be was born in Belgium and invented the saxophone at the age of 29.

From Quiz The Saxophone

Answer: Adolph Sax

The saxophone is named after its inventor.

From Quiz You Saxy Thing!

Answer: Gerry Rafferty

Rafferty, formerly of the band Stealers Wheel, included the song on his album "City to City" in 1978. The song was indeed named after the street in London's Marylebone district. It was a top ten hit in most of the English-speaking world and included a sax riff by Raphael Ravenscroft, who also played on the song "Get it Right Next Time" on Rafferty's "Night Owl" album in 1979.

From Quiz Orchestral Saxophone

Answer: Maurice Ravel

One of his greatest works, Mussorgsky's suite of ten movements for piano has been orchestrated many times. The work was written as a memorial to his friend Viktor Hartmann and represents the composer wandering through an exhibition of Hartmann's paintings and designs. The first person to orchestrate it in its entirety was the Slovenian violinist and arranger, Leo Funtek (1885-1965) in 1922. That same year, Ravel made his famous orchestration. Ravel's version has proven to be by far the most popular. While he has been accused of taking certain liberties with Mussorgsky's original, Ravel's indisputable mastery of orchestration is everywhere evident in his orchestral version. The other options given above have each produced orchestrations of the piece also.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: Marcel Mule

Marcel Mule's (1901-2001) elegant, refined playing can be heard in a handful of available recordings. He was also an important teacher and he became saxophone teacher at the Paris Conservatoire in 1944, re-opening the saxophone class that hadn't existed there since Adolphe Sax's tenure ended in 1870.

From Quiz Saxophone Quiz

Answer: 1

All normal saxophones use one reed held onto the mouthpiece by a metal ring called a ligature. Some of the newer prototypes of saxophones are starting to use two reeds. Some of these newer prototypes are adding double reeds to soprano saxophones. They are also starting to pull the bell out at 90 degree angles on tenor and alto saxes.

From Quiz The Saxophone

Answer: E flat

Not all saxophones are in the same key.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley

"Cannonball" (1928-1975) was almost as beloved for his gentle manner, articulate words and giving nature as he was for his beautiful alto playing. Unfortunately, because he was early on branded as a Charlie Parker imitator, he often doesn't quite get the credit he deserves. Albums such as "Somethin' Else" (with Miles Davis), "The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco" and "Know What I Mean?" (with Bill Evans) demonstrate his wonderful playing.

From Quiz Tricky Tenor Sax

Answer: metal or plastic

A metal mouthpiece creates a louder sound in order to be heard over the drums.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: John Zorn

John Zorn (b. 1953) is a New York-based saxophonist and composer whose music is very difficult to simply categorize. He draws from various styles and genres according to the project at hand. Possibly his most famous release was an album of music by Ennio Morricone, "The Big Gundown" (1985).

From Quiz Saxophone Quiz

Answer: Baritone

The baritone sax has a spit valve on the bottom part of the neckpiece to let out any spit which gets into the horn. Contrabass saxes also have spit valves.

From Quiz The Saxophone

Answer: Selmer

Selmer has produced the Super Action 80 Series 1, 2, and 3.

From Quiz You Saxy Thing!

Answer: Rachmaninov

Not only did Sergei Rachmaninoff use the saxophone as an orchestral instrument he used it as a solo instrument. Finished in 1940, "Symphonic Dances" was his last composition.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: John Coltrane

The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco regards Coltrane (1926-1967) as a saint. Their services incorporate his music and lyrics. Coltrane albums such as "My Favorite Things", "Giant Steps", "A Love Supreme", "Crescent" and "Blue Train" are considered jazz classics.

From Quiz Tricky Tenor Sax

Answer: xaphoon

The xaphoon is an instrument that resembles a clarinet and is generally made of bamboo. It was invented in the 70's and uses a tenor sax reed to produce its sound.

From Quiz Saxophone Quiz

Answer: Kenny G

Kenny G has made many albums. He is most famous for playing his soprano saxophone. If you have heard the song "What a Wonderful World" you have heard one of the works of Kenny G.

From Quiz The Saxophone

Answer: To protect the instrument from corrosion

There is much debate over what effects different types of lacquers have on the sound.

From Quiz You Saxy Thing!

Answer: The E Street Band

Clemons was a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band from 1972 until his death in 2011, as well as performing with other artists and recording some solo albums. He was known as "The Big Man" because he was 6 feet, 5 inches (195.5 cm) tall. His most noticeable collaboration with Springsteen was probably "Born to Run". He also worked with Lady Gaga on "The Edge of Glory" shortly before suffering a stroke in 2011.

From Quiz Orchestral Saxophone

Answer: The Creation of the World

Milhaud's "La Creation du monde" of 1923 is one of the very first major works by a classical composer to be directly inspired by jazz. Milhaud features the saxophone in an almost concertante role throughout the work. In its original instrumentation, the saxophone replaces the viola as part of a 'string quartet'. The piece is sometimes performed with augmented strings, but still without violas. "Krazy Kat" is an early jazz-inspired piece by John Alden Carpenter. "Uirapuru" is an early ballet by Heitor Villa-Lobos that includes a soprano saxophone. "Machines agricoles" is another work by Milhaud.

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: World Saxophone Quartet

The saxophone quartet as a standard classical ensemble has existed since Adolphe Sax's time. Classical players such as Marcel Mule, Daniel Deffayet, Claude Delangle, Sigurd Rascher, Arno Bornkamp and others front(ed) their own quartets. In the jazz world, groups of saxophones playing together unaccompanied are a little less common and often reflect big band sax sections, ie. are quintets. The World Saxophone Quartet is one of a very few well-known jazz sax quartets. Their 1987 album, "Dances and Ballads" is a great example of their talents.

From Quiz Tricky Tenor Sax

Answer: an octave lower than written

This is so it can be played in treble cleff, when a tenor sax plays a C, it sounds like a B flat (a major 9th lower)

From Quiz Classical Saxophone, Performers, and Literature

Answer: Frederick Hemke

Harvey Pittel spent most of his career teaching at the University of Texas. Larry Teal taught at the University of Michigan, establishing America's first doctoral saxophone program. Lawrence Gwozd taught most of his career at the University of Southern Mississippi.

From Quiz Saxophone Quiz

Answer: 15

The types are, Bb Sopranissimo (Soprillo), Eb Soprano, Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Eb Baritone, Bb Bass, Eb Contrabass in the key of Eb and Bb. In the key of F and C there are the F sopranino, C Soprano, F Alto (mezzosoprano), C Tenor (C-melody), F Baritone, C Bass, and the F Contrabass. All of these but the Bb Sopranissimo were invented by Adolphe Sax. There is also a sax which is said to be a subcontrabass. If you would like to see the site where I found this information and a picture of the subcontrabass go to http://www1.tip.nl/~t875094/saxgb/typesax.html

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet (1897-1959) is regarded as one of the true pioneers of jazz. Although his bright soprano sax tone and wide vibrato wouldn't be considered appropriate today, they reflect his times and the fact that he was primarily a clarinettist. He recorded and performed with other pioneering greats such as Louis Armstrong.

From Quiz Tricky Tenor Sax

Answer: C melody saxophone

C melody saxophones became common around the year 1918, they have not been mass produced since 1929. A mellophone (for those who don't know) is actually a brass instrument that is used in marching bands in place of the french horn.

From Quiz The Saxophone

Answer: Germany

Keilwerth saxophones are handmade in Germany.

From Quiz Orchestral Saxophone

Answer: nos. 6 & 9

Ralph Vaughan Williams is probably best known for works such as his "Fantasia on Greensleeves", "The Lark Ascending", and "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis". He was also a wonderful symphonist. Of his nine symphonies, numbers 6 and 9 include saxophone(s). Symphony no.6 includes a demanding part for tenor saxophone and Symphony no.9 includes three saxophones (two altos and a tenor). He also included an alto saxophone in his "Job: A Masque for Dancing".

From Quiz Saxophonists

Answer: Lenny Pickett

During his time with 'Tower of Power', Lenny Pickett became famous for his high, altissimo playing. Albums such as "Live and in Living Color" and "In the Slot" showcase his abilities. His own album, "Lenny Pickett With the Borneo Horns" features 'LP' playing clarinets as well as saxophones.

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