19th Century Contrabass Sax Solo

[hultingcohen]

Good stuff!

[oegaziz43]

I like it!

[mstenorsaxplayer]

O.O :D

[BinaryLinux]

This instrument screams "Marching Band!" :P

[Morrisbassoon]

Its refreshing to hear a tasteful demonstration of the instrument. The Stainer folks could benefit greatly by having you demonstrate the musical potential of their instrument. And the poor Orsi folks having this hideous screeching demo of their instrument. I'm a professional Contra bassoonist and all I hear is "how can you make music on that thing!" Demos like yours are the kind of examples that composers need to hear in order to enlarge the voices of the woodwind choir. Thanks!!

[saxtek]

@Morrisbassoon

Thank you for your compliment. The only other contrabass saxes I have played are 80+ year old horns and the Orsi Contrabass sax. I think the Eppelsheim is the first contrabass saxophone that can perform on a world-class symphonic level. Eppelsheim's Tubax plays equally well and is an excellent replacement for the Sarrusophone in pieces by Saint-Saens and others.

[JSmanthe3rd]

@Morrisbassoon - You're absolutely right. These videos have encouraged me to play the contrabass sax one day and put it in a band. It might cost an arm and a leg, but I know it's possible.

[weejimmykranky]

So it IS possible to play music on these beasts!! Who knew!?

[HeavyYeti]

Are you playing on the standard contra or the tubax?



[saxtek]

@HeavyYeti

This is the Eppelsheim conventional contrabass, not the Tubax,

[Zenkai251]

What mouthpiece are you using in this video?

[saxtek]

@Zenkai251

I'm using an old Conn bass saxophone mouthpiece, modified to fit the contrabass sax.

[pokemega101]

that was amazing i wish i could play the contrabass sax i play sax but i just cant afford

[muscian100]

how do you read music when playing contrabass, i was playing bass, and my head was shaing so much i couldnt tell what the note was

[JoeShadow711]

My life is complete for I have witnessed a great achievement indeed

[pianomancuber91]

This is the first contrabass sax video I've seen that hasn't been annoying. Thank you for actually making music with it!

[saxtek]

@pianomancuber91

Very nice comment. Thank you.

Any instrument can be used to make music with practice, dedication and a concern for musicality.

[1138bigfoot]

I'm almost afraid to ask- How much did the Sax cost? I love playing my Bari and getting down to those low notes, so to be able to play something like this would be amazing beyond belief...

[GutsAndSpleen]

hey randy how many keys does i have? i.e. palm keys, octave etc.

[saxtek]

@GutsAndSpleen

The contrabass sax used in this recording is a modern horn. It has a low A key like most modern baritone saxes, and it has keys all the way up to high F#, like many modern saxophones.

This 19th century composition was written for a baritone sax with keys to high Eb and down to low B natural

[saxylarry26]

This is a fantastic vid and recording. What a sound. Thank you!

[Gaara89]

man i could kill to be able to have a contrabass sax you are so lucky

[MrDarkRiot]

Subperb solo great tone. Did you restore this saxophone yourself?

[saxtek]

@MrDarkRiot

Thank you. The music is old. The saxophone is new, made by Benedikt Eppelsheim.

[Gandalfe]

Most excellent solo and the pictures are fascinating too. Thanks Randy.