ok so I play the alto saxophone and the band I’m in wants me to play it in one of our songs. our band does a mixture of indie, rock and metal. can my saxophone be used in any of those genres? none of us really like ska or anything like that, and I know that they use saxophones in that. can someone suggest a different genre or tell me how to use the sax in a rock band?
9 Responses
John K
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
1Rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950′s often had a saxophone, and many bands have used a sax ever since. It’s not as common as it used to be, but it is not rare, either. Usually rock uses a tenor sax, less commonly, a baritone sax. Alto saxes aren’t common, but they have been used too.
Here are just a few bands that have used sax in recent years: Morphine, Los Lobos, Mars Volta, Dave Matthews Band, Mr. Bungle, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Rocket from the Crypt, The Rolling Stones, and quite a few more.
As for how to use the sax within a song, here’s a link that will help. Very good info:
http://tamingthesaxophone.com/rock-roll-saxophone.html
jaques
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
2i played sax for many years. i have no idea why, its a terribly disgusting sounding instrument.
it has a very piercing sound, especially an alto…i dont know that it would sound all that great in a rock song.
Jack
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
3I honestly think if you do this right, using a saxophone in a band, you could potentially grab a fan base. People often go for the unique, the bands who try new stuff and this seems like one of those things. I don’t really have any advice other than to urge you to persue, because I think it could be quite spectacular.
Aaron C
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
4any instrument can be used in any genre
hey pachuco
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
5IT CAN BE USED sax is one of the nicest instruements evr have you never heard of punk blues or rock n roll?
phatzwave
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
6Never heard of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT0xoxM8jGY
And more in the Punk mode
Fear – New Yorks Alright If You Like Saxophones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPoBHX82uw
Ellis
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
7Any instrument can be used in any band my friend. Listen to the song Cassius by Foals there’s a part towards the end that uses saxophone and it sounds pretty awesome. Foals use saxophone in some of their other songs aswell.
Show me how to funk like you do
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
8Not sure if this track has sax on it but the rest of the album (which is phenomonal for such a wasted talent) has sax/trumpet etc at parts.
Tommy Bolin-Post Toastee (Ex Dead guitarist of Deep Purple, Rock/jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqKZEoY1rgU
Fusion music very talented guy highly underrated
Samtheman
August 30th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
9Have you ever heard of the song Urgent? It’s a rock song by Foreigner with one of the sickest sax solos ever. It a difficult song to learn with the Altissimo and such but still one of my favorites.
Also bands in the 80s often replaced some guitar solos for sax solos.
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