19th Century Contrabass Sax Solo

Contrabass saxophone solo - "Septieme Solo de Concert" by Jean Baptiste Singelee, published in 1863 by Adolphe Sax for baritone saxophone and piano.
Played one octave lower on Eb contrabass saxophone, by Randy Emerick
Video shows construction of the Eppelsheim Contrabass saxophone in 2008

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Contrabass sax
• contrabass saxophone
• Randy Emerick
• Jean Baptiste Singelee
• Eppelsheim
• Septieme Solo de Concert
• bass saxophone
• bassas

[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.

[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.

[pianomancuber91]

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

[danielcobragagnon1]

how much does a tubax cost?

[hultingcohen]

Good stuff!

[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.

[oegaziz43]

I like it!

[mstenorsaxplayer]

O.O :D

[BinaryLinux]

This instrument screams "Marching Band!" :P

[weejimmykranky]

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