Is There a Difference in Tone?

[philly87]

Hi there, all you fellow Music Members.
Here I have a couple tunes that feature a saxophone. These are both Soprano Saxophones, but I can't seem to tell what the difference is between the two. So, I was wondering if any of you might have an explanation for me.

[richiebee]

Kenny G sounds more like alto sax than Art Porter. Art Porter has more of a typical soprano sax sound.

I'm not sure what your question is... they sound different. If you say they're both soprano's, I'll believe you, but Kenny G definitely sounds more like an alto. It has more edge to the sound. There's a totally different quality buried in a soprano sax sound. I don't know how to describe it... almost like adding a little oboe quality to the sound.

[philly87]

Originally Posted by richiebee

Kenny G sounds more like alto sax than Art Porter. Art Porter has more of a typical soprano sax sound.

I'm not sure what your question is... they sound different. If you say they're both soprano's, I'll believe you, but Kenny G definitely sounds more like an alto. It has more edge to the sound. There's a totally different quality buried in a soprano sax sound. I don't know how to describe it... almost like adding a little oboe quality to the sound.

What I'm trying to figure out is, is one a curved soprano sax, and the other perhaps a straight soprano sax? I've heard that Kenny G has a "thin" soprano sax. Is there such a thing?

[richiebee]

As I think I said before, I'm not a saxophonist, but my observations are that...

Almost all soprano saxophones are the straight kind - I've only ever seen the curved ones in Jewish music. No idea if that has any relevance at all.

Tonal differences are probably more to do with the player and mouthpiece than the instrument.

I know lots of saxophone players. Of those that play alto, I'd be hard pressed to hear much of a tonal difference between them and tenor saxes. However some, particularly those into classical saxophone rep seem to have more of a soprano sax tone - less buzz, smoother, more oboe like. Part of it is down to the mouthpiece (including the reed). Part of it is down to the player.

There are tonal differences between straight and curved soprano saxes, but I think it has more to do with where the bulk of the sound is projecting - ie, through the bell. When studio mic'ed, I guess there's less of a difference.

[philly87]

From what I listen to, it seems that Art Porter's sax has that oboe-like tone that you were telling me about, whereas Kenny G's sax has a brighter tone. Is it common for a soprano sax to have a bright tone?

[richiebee]

It should always have a smooth tone - that's what sets it apart from the alto sax in the higher register. In your examples, I didn't like Kenny G's tone - it really does sound like an alto. Art Porter sounded nice... that, to me, is how a soprano should sound.

Remember though that all this stuff is subjective!

[philly87]

Originally Posted by richiebee

It should always have a smooth tone - that's what sets it apart from the alto sax in the higher register. In your examples, I didn't like Kenny G's tone - it really does sound like an alto. Art Porter sounded nice... that, to me, is how a soprano should sound.

Remember though that all this stuff is subjective!

Can you explain what you mean when you say "Subjective"?

[richiebee]

It's all up to the listener to decide what's right and what's not. If everyone liked the same sound, we'd all be recording in exactly the same way. Everyone would be using the same equipment/instruments.

People have different ideas on what is right.