Sax Saxophone
Posted on Thursday, December 20th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Music, MIDI and Sax
Here we are in the next Millennium! The music industry continues to evolve and musicians are being afforded more opportunities to create music.
What’s definitely here to stay is the marriage of traditional acoustic music and computers. Whether you’re performing music with a combination of acoustic instruments and electronic instruments (such as samplers and sequencers), solely electronic, or just using the computer to write your acoustic music scores, MIDI (that’s Musical Instrument Digital Interface for those who’ve still shied away from electronics) continues to play an integral role in all of this.
In the electronic perspective, as synthesizers are for pianos, electronic wind instruments are for wind instruments. Over the years there have been many instruments that have sprung up to meet the challenge with varying degrees of success. Starting from the low-cost “toys” like the Casio MIDI sax, to more professional models like the AKAI EWI, Yamaha WX7, WX11 and WX5, and the seldom used or heard of Synthophone from the Swiss saxophonist and computer specialist Martin Hurni.
We’ve come a long way from the first electronically amplified saxophone using a wah-wah pedal or other effects to fully electronic instruments that use saxophone-like fingerings (like the EWI and WX-models) to actual saxophones jam-packed with electronics, such as the Synthophone.
Many saxophonists have experimented with this new challenge in different ways. Greg Osby and Gary Thomas electronically amplified their horns and used Pitch-to-MIDI converters in order to drive synthesizers and sequencers on various recordings with Jack De Johnette’s band “Special Edition” and their own recordings.
Michael and Randy Brecker used a wah-wah pedal in earlier recordings of the “Brecker Bros”, and Mike later picked up the EWI with “Steps Ahead” and his own recordings. Concert saxophonist John Sampen has used the WX-7 in specially hired works for the instrument. Saxophonist Chico Freeman used a Synthophone on a live recording while on tour in Germany. Steve Coleman has also used the Synthophone although solely in his home studio for sequencing purposes. I’ve even heard that Branford Marsalis has experimented with it.
Whether you’re considering using one on stage, in the studio or just for fun, there are a few obstacles connected with these instruments, but may be well worth the effort to investigate them.
The Yamaha and AKAI models are what I call “new animals”. They are intended to use saxophone-like fingers but they are not saxophones in any sense. That may please you in the way that you will treat it like a new, unfamiliar instrument. It may bother you because you have to learn to play another instrument and not just let loose and play as you do a sax.
The Synthophone is an actually saxophone stuffed with electronics but mind you, it generates no acoustic sounds at all, just like the other instruments. You may like that because the learning curve is a lot smaller. Again, that may bother you that it is a sax because it doesn’t really respond the sax way as a sax does. All in all it is a matter of personal preference which electronic wind instrument may be worth your time and money. They can be expensive.
If you use music software such as Steinberg’s CUBASE, Elogic or CODA’s Finale, you can hook up your “e-sax” to your computer to enter notes into your scores the same way you would do with a MIDI keyboard. Instead of struggling to play a piano solo for your sequencing project, maybe you want to play it with your “e-sax” instead.
I personally have experimented along this direction. I’ve used a Roland VP-70 Digital Voice Processor (in Pitch-to-MIDI mode) with Korg Poly 800 (Monophonic/Analog sounds) and Yamaha TX81-Z (Polyphonic/FM-Snythesis) synthesizers with a contact microphone on my sax bell.
This worked very neatly in the studio, but it was a catastrophe on the stage. The problem there was that a Pitch-to-MIDI converter can only process one note at a time. This was fine in the secluded cabin of a recording studio. But on stage you get “spill over” from the guitar, the drums, the bass, etc. – too many signals – the VP would just shut down. I had to change programs in order to get it to kick in again. I should have used a built-in microphone, but really didn’t want to have a hole drilled into the neck and I really didn’t want to change necks in the middle of gig.
Anyway, while using an “e-sax” many things have to be learned and taken into consideration. Sounds are the biggest issue in my opinion. I’ve heard many failed attempts at it. The most common mistake of the “newbie” is to use synthesizer sounds that are really made for a keyboard instrument in mind. If you try to play the sound as though it’s a wind instrument, it really sounds terrible. One really has to pick sounds that are more adept for a wind instrumentalist’s technique.
Evan Tate is a Faculty member at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, a Julius Keilwerth saxophones endorser, podcaster and author of the book “250 Jazz Patterns” and more. You can contact Mr. Tate at http://www.evantatemusic.com/.
About the Author
Evan Tate is a Faculty member at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, a Julius Keilwerth saxophones endorser, podcaster and author of the book “250 Jazz Patterns” and more. You can contact Mr. Tate at http://www.evantatemusic.com/.
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Conn-O-Sax Historic American Made Saxophone Collection $175,000.00 |
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1953 Selmer Paris Super Balanced Action w/ High F# Tenor Saxophone Sax #55017 $12,995.00 |
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VINTAGE Selmer Paris Mark VI Soprano Saxophone Sax Lwa704 – ONE OWNER $9,999.00 |
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1923 Selmer Paris Modele (Model) 22 Tenor Saxophone. Serial No. 16XX. RARE SAX!! $7,700.00 |
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SELMER (PARIS) REFERENCE 54 BRUSHED MATTE LACQUERED TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX 74 NEW $6,692.00 |
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SELMER (PARIS) REFERENCE 36 ROSE-GOLD LACQUERED TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX 84 NEW $6,692.00 |
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YANAGISAWA T-992 Tenor Saxophone Japanese SAX Brand new $6,487.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ SILVER + GOLD PLATED TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX $6,399.00 |
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ORIGINAL ADOLPHE SAX (PERE) ALTO SAXOPHONE: COMPLETELY AND BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED! $6,360.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED GOLD PLATED TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX $5,896.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED 24K GOLD PLATED SOPRANINO SAXOPHONE SAX $5,640.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED SILVER + GOLD PLATED ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX $5,549.00 |
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SELMER (PARIS) SERIE III SILVER PLATED ENGRAVED SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX 53S NEW $5,399.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED GOLD PLATED ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX $4,957.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED GOLD PLATED CURVED SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX $4,785.00 |
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YANAGISAWA T992 T-992 TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX SOLID BRONZE ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $4,709.00 |
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YANAGISAWA S992 S-992 SOLID BRONZE ENGRAVED LACQUERED SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX NEW $4,359.00 |
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Vintage Selmer Paris Mark VII Tenor Saxophone Sax-Pak Case ONE OWNER lwi620 $4,295.00 |
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1969 Buffet Super Dynaction Low A Baritone Sax Saxophone $4,250.00 |
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YANAGISAWA A992 A-992 BRONZE ENGRAVED, CLEAR LACQUERED ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX NEW $4,159.00 |
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YANAGISAWA SC992 SC-992 CURVED SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX BRONZE CLEAR LACQUERED $4,059.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED VINTAGE SILVER PLATED ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX $4,049.00 |
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RAMPONE & CAZZANI R1 JAZZ ENGRAVED GOLD PLATED STRAIGHT SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX $3,999.00 |
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Nice Selmer Paris Alto Sax Saxophone Mark VI 6 in Case $3,700.00 |
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YANAGISAWA S991 S-991 SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $3,659.00 |
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YANAGISAWA T991 T-991 TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $3,629.00 |
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YANAGISAWA S902 S-902 SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX BRONZE ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $3,559.00 |
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Benedikt Eppelsheim Munchen Sopranissimo Piccolo Soprillo Saxophone Sax Ti654 $3,499.00 |
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Buffet Crampon Model 400 Baritone Saxophone BARI SAX NEW Display Model $3,450.00 |
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YANAGISAWA SC991 SC-991 SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $3,209.00 |
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CONN 12M BARI SAX BARITONE SAXOPHONE Elkhart 1965 – Restored! $2,950.00 |
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YANAGISAWA S901 S-901 SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SAX ENGRAVED LACQUERED NEW $2,909.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Bad Aax Black Tenor Saxophone MSRP: $2,995.00 Selmer sax kit $2,888.00 |
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BUESCHER ARISTOCRAT Bb TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE 1939 – SILVER & GOLD! $2,850.00 |
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Selmer Super Action 80 Series II Two Tenor Saxophone Sax Jazz sounds great $2,850.00 |
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BARI SAX Couf Keilwerth stencil H & A SELMER Bundy RESTORED baritone saxophone $2,850.00 |
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“THE MARTIN” Bb TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE 1947 ON SALE NOW $2,850.00 |
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Selmer Super Action 80 II Tenor Sax Saxophone PRISTINE $2,675.00 |
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BUESCHER 400 Bb TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE – SILVER & GOLD! $2,650.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Alto Saxophone Royal Gold Plate Finish + Selmer sax care kit $2,588.00 |
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VINTAGE THE MARTIN TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX $2,499.00 |
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CONN N LADY LOW PITCH ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX III9954 1914 Jazz Era $2,441.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Alto Saxophone in Black Nickel finish Selmer sax care kit $2,388.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Tenor Saxophone in Black Nickel Finish Selmer sax kit $2,388.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Tenor Saxophone in the Warrior Finish $2495.00 Selmer sax kit $2,388.00 |
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Sax Dakota SDT-1200 Silver Plate Tenor Saxophone $2,300.00 |
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NEAR PRISTINE H.N. WHITE “KING SUPER 20″ ALTO SAX SAXOPHONE 98% ORIG. LACQUER $2,250.00 |
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MARTIN HANDCRAFT Bb TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE 1930 New Bright & Satin Silver finish $2,250.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Bad Aax Black Alto Saxophone MSRP: $2,495.00 Selmer sax kit $2,199.00 |
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New LA Sax Series 1 Tenor Saxophone in a Midas Gold Lacquer Selmer sax kit $2,188.00 |
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P. Mauriat LE BRAVO 200T Tenor Sax, Clear Lacquer with Case – Saxophone $2,175.82 |
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ORIGINAL VINTAGE BUESCHER BIG B TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE EXCELLENT $2,100.00 |
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1860’s Vintage ADOLPHE SAX Alto Saxophone SN 23864 – Indescribably RARE!!! $1,999.00 |
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NEW LA Sax Semi-Curved Saxello Soprano Saxophone w/2 Necks + Selmer sax care kit $1,998.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Soprano Saxophone in the Diamond Finish Selmer sax care kit $1,998.00 |
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New LA Sax Series 1 Alto Saxophone in Nasty Black/Selmer USA mpce. + Selmer kit $1,998.00 |
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New LA Sax Series 1 Alto Saxophone in a Midas Gold Lacquer Finish Selmer sax kit $1,998.00 |
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New LA Sax BIG LIP Alto Saxophone in the Diamond Spiral Selmer sax kit $1,998.00 |
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Gold Lacquered Baritone Sax Saxophone w Case $1,995.95 |
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Gold Lacquered Baritone Sax Saxophone w Case $1,995.95 |
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BARITONE SAXOPHONE • FINEST QUALITY SAX • BRAND NEW • $1,974.65 |
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Legacy TS2000SS Pro Sterling Silver Tenor Saxophone, Selmer Sax, SEE VIDEO $1,899.99 |
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Legacy AS3000SS Pro Alto Saxophone Sterling Silver, Selmer Sax Mpc SEE VIDEO $1,899.99 |
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New LA Sax Series 1 red & gold Soprano Saxophone w/ 2 Necks Selmer sax care kit $1,898.00 |
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New LA Sax Series 1 Alto Saxophone in Rocket Red with Gold Selmer sax kit $1,898.00 |
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Vintage Buescher Aristocrat Big B Tenor Saxophone Sax i711 $1,895.00 |
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Firebird Pro Flex Series Tenor Sax Saxophone Golden Lacq $1,850.00 |
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BUESCHER Bb SOPRANO SAX SAXOPHONE 1924 – RESTORED original silver plate finish $1,850.00 |
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KING ZEPHYR Bb TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE – VINTAGE -RESTORED $1,850.00 |
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HYSON MUSIC YAMAHA ALTO SAXOPHONE SAX YAS-475 YAS475 PACKAGE $1,849.99 |
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Transitional silver Conn Chu Berry Alto Sax saxophone, vintage, gold bell 1929 $1,846.00 |
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NEW BUFFET 400 PROFESSIONAL ALTO SAXOPHONE MATTE FINISH Eb ALTO SAX $1,820.00 |
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Firebird Pro Series Alto Sax Saxophone Vintage Lacq $1,750.00 |
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Firebird Pro Series Alto Sax Saxophone Satin Blk Nickle $1,750.00 |
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Vintage 1924 C.G. Conn Silver Plated Bb Soprano Saxophone Sax i677 $1,749.00 |
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Transitional silver Conn Chu Berry Alto Sax saxophone, vintage, gold bell 1929 $1,746.00 |
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LA Sax BIG LIP Bad Aax Black Tenor Saxophone $1,695.00 |
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Professional ★★★★★ Brass Copper Baritone Saxophone Sax Low a High F NEW $1,675.00 |
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BUESCHER ARISTOCRAT Eb Alto Sax SILVER & GOLD *1955* RESTORED Saxophone $1,650.00 |
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Firebird Pro Series Alto Sax Saxophone Gold Lacq $1,650.00 |
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Professional Eb Gold Baritone Saxophone Sax Low a High F NEW $1,619.00 |
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Professional Baritone Saxophone Bari Sax Low a High F $1,618.00 |
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Liberty by Selmer LTS 501L Tenor Saxophone w/ S80 C* Mouthpiece lts501l sax $1,599.99 |
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Professional Matte Brass Copper Eb Baritone Saxophone Low A Sax High F# Germany $1,599.00 |
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RS Berkeley Sax ASS506 silver plated Alto Saxophone $1,598.00 |
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RS Berkeley Sax ASS506 silver plated Alto Saxophone $1,598.00 |
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LA Sax BIG LIP Bad Aax Black Alto Saxophone $1,595.00 |
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LA Sax BIG LIP Tenor Saxophone in Black Nickel Finish $1,595.00 |
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LA Sax BIG LIP Tenor Saxophone in the Warrior Finish $1,595.00 |
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Prof Baritone Saxophone Black Nickel Eb Sax Low A~High F# silver nickel keys new $1,555.00 |
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VINTAGE 1914 CONN TENOR SAX SAXOPHONE 16M SN # T 31321 L ORIG CASE & MOUTHPIECE $1,550.00 |
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SELMER LIBERTY LTS-501L TENOR SAXOPHONE SAX with CASE $1,549.99 |
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CE Winds Pro Series DC (Dark Classic) Copper Alloy Alto Saxophone Sax Em681 $1,549.00 |
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Hand engravings Black Nickel Baritone Saxophone Eb Sax Low A key High F# $1,515.00 |
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Gary SUGAL Series IV Tenor SAX Black NICKLE Silver HARD & SOFT Case SAXOPHONE 4 $1,499.99 |
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Sax Dakota SDA1000 Matte SIlver Professional ALto Saxophone Demo Model $1,499.99 |
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Wilton Pink Panther Playing a Saxophone Sax Jazz Cat Music Horn Cake Pan (502-3902, 1982) Retired The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there’s less time spent in the… |
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Saxophone Cookie Cutter Saxophone Cookie Cutter measures 3 x 4-3/4 inches. Saxophone Cookie Cutter will be 1-1/8 inches deep after one side of the copper is tightly folded over for safety and stability. Handmade copper cookie cutters may vary in size and shape. Click to view all music cookie cutters. Saxophone Cookie Cutter… |
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Dog Sax Player Wine Topper Yardbirds by Richard Kolb $16.00 Dog Sax Player Wine TopperzTopperz by Richard KolbA funky wine bottle topper for musicians and dog lovers alike! These will stand up by themselves and make a perfect mini-sculpture. Great for housewarming and hostess gifts.Made out of metal with a rubber edged bottom. Measures 6″ x 4.5″ x 3″… |
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Time Out $4.40 Boasting the first jazz instrumental to sell a million copies, the Paul Desmond-penned “Take Five,” Time Out captures the celebrated jazz quartet at the height of both its popularity and its powers. Recorded in 1959, the album combines superb performances by pianist Brubeck, alto saxophonist Desmond, drummer Joe Morrello and bassist Gene Wright. Along with “Take Five,” the album features another o… |
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Katy Lied $2.46 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: STEELY DANTitle: KATY LIEDStreet Release Date: 05/18/1999… |
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Jazz Samba $10.47 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Hot Licks: Rock and Roll Saxophone with Steve Douglas “Rock & Roll Saxophone” features: “Chicken” sax, adding “growl” to your tone, “singing” with the sax, flutter tongue techniques, the uvula method, “yakety” sax techniques, alternate fingerings, the “great shake,” embouchure exercises, rock & roll licks and scales, chromatic runs, false fingerings, glissandos both up & down, and other great rock and R&B techniques. (60 min.) LEVEL 2-3… |