Look at this beast!
Initially invented in 1846 by Adolphe Sax, it wasn't until the 1920's that the Saxophone really came into prominence. It was seen as an important staple of the Jazz music genre alongside other brass instruments, which really came to dominate the musical tastes of the Roaring 20's. While initially the genre it was a part of was simply a derivative of ragtime, with the inclusion of the Saxophone alongside the popular instrument of the time the piano, the swinging dance music fused with the smooth sombre tones of the blues to form a combination that would both inspire people to dance and party as well as establish a good atmosphere in the room. It got it's big start down in New Orleans (or "N'Orlens" to any with a southern drawl), but soon migrated up into the smokey clubs of the Northeast. The saxophone was even included in a number of orchestra's in the 1920's such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, having it's place cemented in classical music history.
I will gladly admit my love of this musical instrument, in every style of music. It's croons help in forming the conjured emotions present in the blues and classical pieces, as well as to help decelerate the tempo of a piece, such as in Derek and the Dominoes guitar piece "Layla". Meanwhile, the rapid fire jabs of a true master of the instrument can help establish the atmosphere of a freeform style like Jazz, or in more controlled bursts to set the pace for a action-packed song in a movie or video game. Even hearing my Godmother's son play his soprano sax is a delight to the ear, as the vibrations echo throughout the house and into my bones. Truly, there is nothing more wonderful, more soothing, more empathetic than the shrill cry of the sax player's beast.
Image Credit: "Alto Saxophone" obtained via Wikimedia Commons
The development of musical styles has been super interesting to follow when you track it through the years. Jazz definitely was a big part of the 20s and it matched the culture and the attitude of that day. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I dig the sax and sometimes I don't but it really is a pretty rad instrument.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Jazz, mostly because my mom tried to teach us growing up that Jazz was not a valid musical style because it breaks all the rules. I think there is something very uniquely calming about it. I can see that that would make listening to a beginner play much more enjoyable than listening to, say, a beginner violinist.
ReplyDeleteSaxophone is great- my little sister is really passionate about it, so it was always playing in the house, whether it was her favorite artists or her own music. I've gained respect for the genre even though I'm not necessarily naturally inclined to it. It's almost inseparable from its history, and the culture that surrounds it.
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