I agree with you that the curved horn looks more "circus" and somewhat comical, and the straight horn does indeed have a more "serious" feel to it, and it looks more substantial. However, in terms of sound, the curved horn SOUNDS to me more like a smaller version of an alto, while the straight horn sounds less to me like what a "stereotypical" saxophone sounds like in my own head.
You are correct. The trademark saxophone sound comes from the tone which, down at the bow, reflects and changes direction up the bell; that extra richness of vibration is what makes saxophone such a unique instrument. But the straight saxophone does not have the bow, and that is why most straight versions sound like a glorified golden oboe. One must get a very expensive, extremely balanced straight soprano to match the quality of the tone which even a mid-range curved soprano delivers in spades.
It has a lot to do with projection and where the microphone is placed. On a curved, you can clip a mic to the bell and capture sound coming from the keys and the bell, while on a straight, it will mostly just capture the bell, so your upper stack notes will be slightly muffled.
You are correct there. I prefer the straight sopranos because they are the more iconic type of soprano saxophones. But between sopranos, altos, and tenors, I would have to say altos then tenors then sopranos. The straight sopranos do tend to sound more like brass oboes, whereas the curved sopranos sound like altos but higher.
Tell that to Sidney Bechet, he’d return from the grave to prove you wrong ! He certainly could produce greater volume on a vintage Straight American soprano sax.
I play multiple woodwinds. When upgrading from my straight soprano, I chose a curved soprano, because the smaller size of the instrument and case, I was able to better carry the multiple instrument cases when playing in a pit.
Quite good analysis of the difference between the two. I play a straight soprano, but my main instruments are clarinet and tenor sax. In your demonstration of the two sopranos, I thought that the straight one had slightly better tone.
I have a Yanagisawa curved soprano and it is a joy to play. The intonation is fantastic and playing busy baroque music on it is just spell binding. Also a P. Mauriat sapranino, keeps me plenty busy playing stuff you would not typically hear on these instruments. My inspiration for the sapranino was watching Sonny Rollins live play "Airegin" on the sapranino when I was in college. I was only about 5-6 seats from the stage. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, and I said I will someday get one of those horns!
The way Simon plays in the key of D on a Bb horn, almost sounds as natural as if it were a concert pitch woodwind. His playing in general easily reminds me of Tom Scott.
I have this same Windcraft curved soprano and coming from playing and owning Yamaha and Yanagisawa saxophones and knowing how well they are made, I was suirprised to find this is well made too, especially for the price, maybe not to the standard like Yamaha or Yani saxophones build, but still good. I played it with a Selmer Concept, Selmer one screw gold lacquer ligature and tried different reeds: Legere signature, classic cut, Legere signature Bb clarinet reeds and European cut clarinet reeds and the tone sounded very good on all of them. It is freeblowing with the low Bb coming out well the first time for me. The sound is is warm and slightly rich with good projection which I like. Coming from playing a Yanagisawa AWO2 alto sax as my main instrument with its more centred intonation, it is taking me more time and work to be able to learn do play this soprano in tune tune as is getting used to the left hand pinky keys which feel a little different. It maybe more "circus" but like Simon said, it is more fun to play, and I love playing it. I have played straight soprano saxes and my main issue has always been the weight of them on my right thumb and arm when playing. I also noticed the neck strap would get in the way of the octave key. I don't have those issues with the curved and I can play as long as I like without feeing my arm is getting sore which is the main reason I chose it. Yes the tuning takes more work compared to the straight soprano, but I find that compormise is worth it, especally if you prefer the sound of a curved soprano over a straight one.
I used to play clarinette as my main instrument and as I got into jazz I bought a soprano sax. Reason being that the soprano plays much like a clarinette in contrast to an alto. With that being said I found a lot of clarinette-like qualities in the straight sopranos which is why I went with a curved one. With the right mouthpiece you can get really warm and smooth jazz tones from it :)
I'd probably go with the straight. I like the tone a whole lot more. Plus, I've been playing clarinet for about 7 years. I'd just fit into it really quickly. I've played tenor sax (my main saxophone and main instrument), bari sax, and alto sax. I remember when I picked up the bari sax. It was so hard for me. Goodness! So was the alto sax which is odd. But I would definitely not pass up the opportunity of playing soprano sax.
I agree. I also played clarinet first. Then alto....Tenor....Bari. I wish I started out with Tenor because my air flow would have been more developed. Bari is tough for me. However I can't find this brand in the USA. We have our own inexpensive line "Allora" which is made in China. Where is "Windcraft" made?
The Windcraft Series II models are made in Taiwan to UK design specs. The production path/facility is similar to Mauriat, Eastman, TJ Horns etc. The Windcraft Series II models are at that mid-range quality level, way above the own brand cheaper (often Chinese) models. However, it's perhaps more important to talk about the factory and company of origin, not the country. For example Yamaha make some product in China which is excellent, many other instruments coming from China are terrible. It's not the country but the company which dictates the quality. With that in mind it's difficult to apply sweeping statements to quality levels based on country of origin.
The tones are very different but both lovely! The curved was noticeably more punchy and raucous. I think personally I'd have zero problem using a straight sax for either classical or jazz, but based on this I wouldn't want the curved soprano on a classical piece.
Both really nice horns and good value. As I often say Simon could play a chair leg and make it sound great. Sam is a great presenter. A great Duo !! Thank you so much. Bill. Nottingham 🎷🎷
To me the straight one sounds a bit more nasal, the curved sounds warmer. but yet more punchy too. It would be nice to own both for the different sounds, but if I had to pick one I'd pick the curved.
I have a curved that I like. I wanted it because less people seem to have them, and I like the look better. I noticed in this video thew straight one sounds warmer but also more clarinetty (is that a word?). I think depending on what you want, you can have both and choose one for certain things and another for other things. The curved also sound smaller like it's trying to push air through a smaller pipe, and I can hear the length difference of the straight
I definitely prefer straight. It has a nicer darker tone and if ya can manage to get rid of that sawtooth-like sound then it’s perfect. I kinda wanna get one now just for that nice lil unique sound brooooo.
Thank you for the introduction. I'm interested in soprano sax, however a bit overwhelmed with the brands. Do you have any recommended affordable brands for beginners?
The sound of the straight soprano depends on how it is picked up: if you pick it up by the bell, the sound is brighter; if you pick it up by the keys, the sound is warmer. This variety of timbres is an advantage of the straight over the curved.
I play cornet/trumpet but a couple of days ago a friend lent me an alto saxophone and I am impressed by how easy it is to play - at first go. However, I find it cumbersome and heavy to hold - I am in my 70s and have a bit of arthritis and am wondering if a soprano would be significantly easier to handle - you mentioned that junior players sometimes opt for it as a smaller instrument. I also imagine I would like the feedback of the curved version. I play in a wind band and it is sometimes very hard to hear my cornet or trumpet. However, whereas the trumpet has five or six notes for each finger position the sax has only one so the problem of pitching will be less. I would appreciate your thoughts also in respect of buying a suitable instrument - is second hand typically OK? For my cornet/trumpet I am convinced that when on a limited budget it is better to buy a second hand professional model than a new intermediate.
Hi - The sop sax would certainly be easier to hold and handle, but not necessarily easier to play so that's worth bearing in mind. Second hand is a plausible option IF you're getting it from a reputable retailer who pre-checks and services the instruments before re-sale AND you stick to the main brands. There are so many cheap and nasty Saxes out there on the web (from non-reputable retailers, of which we are just one, there are number of specialists like us). The cheap and nasty models will have very poor intonation, often be very unreliable and thus make the whole process far less enjoyable and actually quite frustrating. Decent cheaper brands to consider would be Elkhart (Taiwanese models), Trevor James, Windcraft. However, if you want to step-up and get a higher quality model (but potentially s/hand) then the only real options are Yanagisawa, Cannonball or potentially Mauriat. They are the only main brands making curved models (i.e No Yamaha or Selmer options in curved). To see a full list of our approved range check out: www.dawkes.co.uk/woodwind-instruments/saxophone/soprano-saxophone
@@dawkesmusic Thank you very much for your reply. I'm guessing that the soprano sax will be a harder embucher but is there any other thing making it more difficult to play?
:) It's always tricky because people will have their own opinions on this. Fundamentally due to the size of mouthpiece/reed we do find people generally think the Alto is easier to start on. The smaller set-up on Soprano does perhaps demand a more controlled embouchure. But, in the grand scheme of things it's a small difference which is negated by the right amount of desire to succeed :)
@@dawkesmusic Thanks for reply. Had I not got some arthritis in hands, perhaps I would have gone for alto. However the sop is a Bb instrument - as are my brass band instruments and that might be an advantage - getting the expected pitch from the written music score.
Brendan Webster I’ve been playing trumpet for 15 years. Than I switched to tenor sax which for me was a few times easier to play. I’m also playing curved soprano and don’t have any problem with intonation however it’s very good instrument ( Yanagisawa 902). Don’t let people (I mean saxophonist) cheat on you. Sax is extremely easier to play than trumpet. However among all of them I found soprano the most demanding.(Still a piece of cake when you compare it to the trumpet) . Good luck with your new career or at least try to have some fun.
U no, I seriously wanted to switch from French horn to soprano sax and the first one I saw was a straight one, so I immediately assumed it was almost the same as a bass clarinet , so I looked up, soprano sax vs bass clarinet, wow I’m dumb
They both sound good, however to my ear the curved sounds more potent, more powerful, more in your ear, so to speak... More upfront... Know what I mean?
I have a curved Yani after a straight Mk V1 for 40 years. I agree with the intonation comments but I play in a lot of louder venues and the curved is not only man jewelry and a discussion piece, but it is so easy to mic like a regular sax. Especially if you have a clip on mic. I really like the curved for sure. They are different animals completely. I wish I had both but I had to sell my straight to get the curved.
Did anyone mention the ergonomics? a straight is spread in the hands even wider than an alto, while the curved is much tighter than an alto. I find the straight very comfortable and the curved is way too close together for me.
The straight soprano sounded much nicer in the lower register for me. Is that common to have such a big difference between the curved and the straight soprano (regarding the lower notes) or may it just be the branch of the saxophones?
I think your take on the difference is right on the mark. Personally, I think the curved neck modulates the tone a bit more as well as directing the sound more towards the audience. Van Morrison would definitely prefer the curved soprano.
Damn! The straight do sound better and i have a curved Yanigisawa. Still very happy with it though. Does this transfer to a straight alto as well? Are there straight tenors?
Hi thanks for sharing your video. I have played alto for a number of years. I have an inexpensive STAG. The low notes are very difficult to play especially low Bb as I have to do a big jump with my little finger. I have very small hands and am wondering whether a different Sax would suit me better. Also on the straight soprano not sure whether it is best to use the curved neck or straight neck. I also play sitting down. Any advice much appreciated.
Hi - Yes, some saxes have more ergonomic layouts which could mean an easier reach down to the low Bb, the Yamaha YAS-280 for example is nicely laid out for this. Also, playing low notes depends on (a) your fingers being able to reach the key and then (b) the pads closing over the hole correctly. Some of the inexpensive models are never set-up correctly meaning the pads won't always be sealing 100% over the hole. This means air escapes and it's harder for the note to speak. If you consider the low Bb requires all the holes to be shut then it's the note that will highlight any leaks the most because of that fact. Also, it's a harder note to voice because of the conical nature of the bore as it expands through the bell flare. If you can get to a store to try a Yamaha for example that would be one quick way to find out if that's the resolution. In terms of the Soprano, it's very much a personal preference on neck depending on how you hold it. If you prefer it straight out in front of you (when seated) then go for the straight, however if you feel more comfortable with it angled down a little more then the curved will allow for that. Hope all the above helps.
@@dawkesmusic Hi, I'd just like to add to this. I'm an instrument repair technician and also a soprano sax player, way more than on the other saxes, having a proper neck cork is paramount for playing the low end. Most shops will also be happy to shape a new cork to your specific mouthpiece at no extra charge (it's literally not extra work, we're shaping it to any random mouthpiece we have on hand anyway) and it can work wonders for your sound.
100 years late to the party, but I liked the curved. The straight sounded better in his first pop-style lick, but the curved blew it away with that jazzy lick at the end. Just a more smokey, traditional sax sound. I've been playing a Roland Aerophone but am looking at getting a "real" sax again. Contemplating a curved sop, maybe the Schagerl. Want Bb without the weight/bulk of a tenor.
I play the tenor as my main horn, but I want to find a small travel sax that I can put in my carry-on luggage so I can practice while on the road. I am assuming that the curved will feel "closer" to my tenor. I played the straight soprano many years ago, and I felt that the shift was more significant. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Why oppose them? (Versus?) They're two different instruments. I have both. My curved soprano is a cheapo but it's still fun...and it draws more questions and comments, and not only from nonmusicians. Plus it has a really pretty flower engraved on the bell. I used to have a pawn shop straight Ardsley (no, not Artley) that I loved, but got rid of when I got the curved one. (I regret that decision.) Later I got a straight Cannonball soprano. It's a good horn, but I never warmed up to it like I did with the pawn shop horn. Just me, I guess.
Pretty similar. Some people claim to hear a small difference, perhaps a little brighter or more direct, but it's more to do with intonation and feel for the player (i.e. angle in the mouth).
As for me, the straight one sounds softer n sweet and the curved one kind of concentrates the sound and vibrates a lil bit more. I'm about to buy one and lm not yet that sure of buying the straight one. I like Dave Caz, for instance n he plays the curved one but something deep inside is telling me the straight one's the one for me. Hope someone can tell me why l should buy this or that one. Thanks n blessings.
Hello thanks for your advice. I looked up the Yamaha Yas-280 but I think this is the alto model. Can you recommend a good soprano sax for someone with small hands?
Hello, man. I'm just wondering if you could help me. I learned how to play sax with my cheap alto Global Saxophone. I did pretty well with my playing. Then, at some time, a friend offered me her Curved soprano Fernando Sax because she wants to buy an alto sax for her daughter. So i decided to swap our instruments. We swapped. Now, the problem is, it really gives me a very hard time to give a decent sound. And when I make one, I just don't like the sound of it. The way your sax sounds is different from mine. Is it broken? Or does the mouth piece and reed matter? I have 2.5 in my previous sax as well as with this curved soprano. It sounds so deep. I really think it should sound sexy. Please help.
Hey, I hope you managed to get a fix! Soprano saxes have a bit of a different embouchure, they tend to need more mouth on the mouthpiece. Try giving it more support. I also use 2.5's, which are my favs (I use Vandoren, not sure about you. Maybe give a Legere a go as there's a bit less resistance on them, should make it a little easier to get a sound out of it). Mouthpieces make a difference- I've just ordered the straight soprano from here and am getting a Selmer S90, which at least on my tenor and alto has made a biiiiiig difference. Make sure it's totally clean, using a pullthrough, or perhaps using Yamaha powder paper if you have some to make sure you have no sticky keys. A workaround is scribbling on a piece of paper with a pencil and putting it under the keys. Cigarette paper will help you check for leaks, and make sure the mouthpiece is nice and clean too.
I prefer the sound of the curved. It just sounds more saxophone and also fits the look. The straight is too mellow and clarinet looking. I know either of these saxophones can sound just like a saxophone, I just prefer the curved.
I *think* if you play clarinet. A straight soprano would be eaiser to play. (It's just a hypothesis because- Well Clarinet is also a b flat instrument and it's straight.)
Daniel Campbell You are correct! You can play any clarinet pieces with a soprano saxophone because they are both in the B flat key. You can also play any trumpet piece with an a soprano.
Kind of, the angle you play clarinet at is vastly different, so actually can be confusing to play a straight soprano as not quite like a normal sax but not quite like a clarinet!
Surprised to prefer the sound of the straight soprano. The curved sounds a little too sweet-corny. When I’ve heard the comparison in the past I thought the curved sounded more like a saxophone, losing the oboeish sound of the straight horn.
If you're a senior, never go for the straight, your fingers will suffer, strap or not. I played one in my twenties, with no problem. I bought one again in my sixties and had to sell it because of instant finger fatigue and pain, even using a neck strap. Stick to the curved.
Shop our range of Saxophones (curved and straight!) here: www.dawkes.co.uk/saxophones/soprano
yes I prefer the curved soprano sax
I too love the curved soprano saxophone! 👍
I agree with you that the curved horn looks more "circus" and somewhat comical, and the straight horn does indeed have a more "serious" feel to it, and it looks more substantial. However, in terms of sound, the curved horn SOUNDS to me more like a smaller version of an alto, while the straight horn sounds less to me like what a "stereotypical" saxophone sounds like in my own head.
You are correct. The trademark saxophone sound comes from the tone which, down at the bow, reflects and changes direction up the bell; that extra richness of vibration is what makes saxophone such a unique instrument. But the straight saxophone does not have the bow, and that is why most straight versions sound like a glorified golden oboe. One must get a very expensive, extremely balanced straight soprano to match the quality of the tone which even a mid-range curved soprano delivers in spades.
Its really noticeable when he plays them at the end
It has a lot to do with projection and where the microphone is placed. On a curved, you can clip a mic to the bell and capture sound coming from the keys and the bell, while on a straight, it will mostly just capture the bell, so your upper stack notes will be slightly muffled.
Agreed. Never really liked the Soprano Sax...until I heard the curved soprano.
The straight sounds closer to an Oboe while the Curved is like an Alto but higher
That's why I like the straight one XD
You are correct there. I prefer the straight sopranos because they are the more iconic type of soprano saxophones. But between sopranos, altos, and tenors, I would have to say altos then tenors then sopranos. The straight sopranos do tend to sound more like brass oboes, whereas the curved sopranos sound like altos but higher.
I play the alto saxophone 🎷
If your soprano sounds like an oboe then you are playing it completely WRONG !!!!!
Tell that to Sidney Bechet, he’d return from the grave to prove you wrong ! He certainly could produce greater volume on a vintage Straight American soprano sax.
I didn't even know there was a Curved Soprano Saxophone until today.
look up a straight tenor and alto if you really want to blow your mind
I play multiple woodwinds. When upgrading from my straight soprano, I chose a curved soprano, because the smaller size of the instrument and case, I was able to better carry the multiple instrument cases when playing in a pit.
The straight sounds warm but the curved sounds almost sharp, not the intonation but the actual sound sounds almost like a knife kind of sharp
That kind of sound is called piercing by the way. Many describe high notes of clarinet and soprano as piercing.
derpyturtle 1210 it pierces the air more
Really good analysis!
Thanks Brian! By the way, we've enjoyed your channel for a while - keep up the good work :)
The curved has more of a punch. I'd use the curved for jazz & the str8 for classical.
Quite good analysis of the difference between the two. I play a straight soprano, but my main instruments are clarinet and tenor sax. In your demonstration of the two sopranos, I thought that the straight one had slightly better tone.
I have a Yanagisawa curved soprano and it is a joy to play. The intonation is fantastic and playing busy baroque music on it is just spell binding. Also a P. Mauriat sapranino, keeps me plenty busy playing stuff you would not typically hear on these instruments. My inspiration for the sapranino was watching Sonny Rollins live play "Airegin" on the sapranino when I was in college. I was only about 5-6 seats from the stage. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, and I said I will someday get one of those horns!
I really liked the sound of the curved soprano versus the straight.
The way Simon plays in the key of D on a Bb horn, almost sounds as natural as if it were a concert pitch woodwind. His playing in general easily reminds me of Tom Scott.
I have this same Windcraft curved soprano and coming from playing and owning Yamaha and Yanagisawa saxophones and knowing how well they are made, I was suirprised to find this is well made too, especially for the price, maybe not to the standard like Yamaha or Yani saxophones build, but still good. I played it with a Selmer Concept, Selmer one screw gold lacquer ligature and tried different reeds: Legere signature, classic cut, Legere signature Bb clarinet reeds and European cut clarinet reeds and the tone sounded very good on all of them.
It is freeblowing with the low Bb coming out well the first time for me. The sound is is warm and slightly rich with good projection which I like. Coming from playing a Yanagisawa AWO2 alto sax as my main instrument with its more centred intonation, it is taking me more time and work to be able to learn do play this soprano in tune tune as is getting used to the left hand pinky keys which feel a little different. It maybe more "circus" but like Simon said, it is more fun to play, and I love playing it.
I have played straight soprano saxes and my main issue has always been the weight of them on my right thumb and arm when playing. I also noticed the neck strap would get in the way of the octave key. I don't have those issues with the curved and I can play as long as I like without feeing my arm is getting sore which is the main reason I chose it. Yes the tuning takes more work compared to the straight soprano, but I find that compormise is worth it, especally if you prefer the sound of a curved soprano over a straight one.
I used to play clarinette as my main instrument and as I got into jazz I bought a soprano sax. Reason being that the soprano plays much like a clarinette in contrast to an alto. With that being said I found a lot of clarinette-like qualities in the straight sopranos which is why I went with a curved one. With the right mouthpiece you can get really warm and smooth jazz tones from it :)
I'd probably go with the straight. I like the tone a whole lot more. Plus, I've been playing clarinet for about 7 years. I'd just fit into it really quickly. I've played tenor sax (my main saxophone and main instrument), bari sax, and alto sax. I remember when I picked up the bari sax. It was so hard for me. Goodness! So was the alto sax which is odd. But I would definitely not pass up the opportunity of playing soprano sax.
I agree. I also played clarinet first. Then alto....Tenor....Bari. I wish I started out with Tenor because my air flow would have been more developed. Bari is tough for me. However I can't find this brand in the USA. We have our own inexpensive line "Allora" which is made in China. Where is "Windcraft" made?
The Windcraft Series II models are made in Taiwan to UK design specs. The production path/facility is similar to Mauriat, Eastman, TJ Horns etc. The Windcraft Series II models are at that mid-range quality level, way above the own brand cheaper (often Chinese) models. However, it's perhaps more important to talk about the factory and company of origin, not the country. For example Yamaha make some product in China which is excellent, many other instruments coming from China are terrible. It's not the country but the company which dictates the quality. With that in mind it's difficult to apply sweeping statements to quality levels based on country of origin.
ps - We ship instruments to the US every week so obtaining a Windcraft would be no issue, especially with the weak £pound at the moment!
@@dawkesmusic well said
I have a 1922 Buescher True Tone curved soprano. The town is very pretty and it's fun to play.
I saw a tenor true tone for sale about $500 USD. Is that a fair price?
Beautiful aren't they. And last I checked $4500 was on the low end. Unless you got someone who doesn't know what they have.
i have a 1919 Buescher Elkhart Alto with an amazing tone
The tones are very different but both lovely! The curved was noticeably more punchy and raucous. I think personally I'd have zero problem using a straight sax for either classical or jazz, but based on this I wouldn't want the curved soprano on a classical piece.
Both really nice horns and good value. As I often say Simon could play a chair leg and make it sound great. Sam is a great presenter. A great Duo !! Thank you so much. Bill. Nottingham 🎷🎷
The straight is my preferencer. Beautiful sound
To me curved has more a sax sound, straight more clarinet.
1:35-1:45 The most beautiful 10 seconds of the video.
I like the straight one it has more personality to me
The curved soprano sounds more like a miniature alto sax and the straight one sounds more like an oboe. Some people consider it a gold clarinet.
Owning both i find the Curved Soprano easier to play, and the intonation is better
I know curve Soprano Saxophone when Dave Koz has a concert in Dallas a few years back.
I actually like the sound of the curved one better! That's not how I previously thought I would be
1:40 i am damn sure he wanted to play the lick
Haha
To me the straight one sounds a bit more nasal, the curved sounds warmer. but yet more punchy too. It would be nice to own both for the different sounds, but if I had to pick one I'd pick the curved.
I have a curved that I like. I wanted it because less people seem to have them, and I like the look better. I noticed in this video thew straight one sounds warmer but also more clarinetty (is that a word?). I think depending on what you want, you can have both and choose one for certain things and another for other things. The curved also sound smaller like it's trying to push air through a smaller pipe, and I can hear the length difference of the straight
Clear and GREAT! THANKS🥇🎼🎨
And if you start having shoulder issues, the logistics of a curved is easier to hold in a gig.
👍prefer the curved sound 🎶🎷, more shape & living breath 😬
The straight sounds a bit warmer and softer
Agreed!!
I prefer the mellow tone of the curved horn.
Very informative.
I definitely prefer straight. It has a nicer darker tone and if ya can manage to get rid of that sawtooth-like sound then it’s perfect. I kinda wanna get one now just for that nice lil unique sound brooooo.
I've played both curved and straight--the curved really cramped my fingers. Both are vintage (1920s) which could be a factor.
Thank you for the introduction. I'm interested in soprano sax, however a bit overwhelmed with the brands. Do you have any recommended affordable brands for beginners?
The sound of the straight soprano depends on how it is picked up: if you pick it up by the bell, the sound is brighter; if you pick it up by the keys, the sound is warmer. This variety of timbres is an advantage of the straight over the curved.
I play cornet/trumpet but a couple of days ago a friend lent me an alto saxophone and I am impressed by how easy it is to play - at first go. However, I find it cumbersome and heavy to hold - I am in my 70s and have a bit of arthritis and am wondering if a soprano would be significantly easier to handle - you mentioned that junior players sometimes opt for it as a smaller instrument.
I also imagine I would like the feedback of the curved version. I play in a wind band and it is sometimes very hard to hear my cornet or trumpet. However, whereas the trumpet has five or six notes for each finger position the sax has only one so the problem of pitching will be less.
I would appreciate your thoughts also in respect of buying a suitable instrument - is second hand typically OK? For my cornet/trumpet I am convinced that when on a limited budget it is better to buy a second hand professional model than a new intermediate.
Hi - The sop sax would certainly be easier to hold and handle, but not necessarily easier to play so that's worth bearing in mind. Second hand is a plausible option IF you're getting it from a reputable retailer who pre-checks and services the instruments before re-sale AND you stick to the main brands. There are so many cheap and nasty Saxes out there on the web (from non-reputable retailers, of which we are just one, there are number of specialists like us). The cheap and nasty models will have very poor intonation, often be very unreliable and thus make the whole process far less enjoyable and actually quite frustrating. Decent cheaper brands to consider would be Elkhart (Taiwanese models), Trevor James, Windcraft. However, if you want to step-up and get a higher quality model (but potentially s/hand) then the only real options are Yanagisawa, Cannonball or potentially Mauriat. They are the only main brands making curved models (i.e No Yamaha or Selmer options in curved). To see a full list of our approved range check out: www.dawkes.co.uk/woodwind-instruments/saxophone/soprano-saxophone
@@dawkesmusic Thank you very much for your reply. I'm guessing that the soprano sax will be a harder embucher but is there any other thing making it more difficult to play?
:) It's always tricky because people will have their own opinions on this. Fundamentally due to the size of mouthpiece/reed we do find people generally think the Alto is easier to start on. The smaller set-up on Soprano does perhaps demand a more controlled embouchure. But, in the grand scheme of things it's a small difference which is negated by the right amount of desire to succeed :)
@@dawkesmusic Thanks for reply. Had I not got some arthritis in hands, perhaps I would have gone for alto. However the sop is a Bb instrument - as are my brass band instruments and that might be an advantage - getting the expected pitch from the written music score.
Brendan Webster I’ve been playing trumpet for 15 years. Than I switched to tenor sax which for me was a few times easier to play. I’m also playing curved soprano and don’t have any problem with intonation however it’s very good instrument ( Yanagisawa 902). Don’t let people (I mean saxophonist) cheat on you. Sax is extremely easier to play than trumpet.
However among all of them I found soprano the most demanding.(Still a piece of cake when you compare it to the trumpet) . Good luck with your new career or at least try to have some fun.
I saw a curved soprano sax at Sam Ash back in the day always thought it was a small child's instrument learn something new today
You guys are lying. The straight instrument is a golden clarinet. The curved instrument is a saxophone.
:)
No the curved is a mini golden bass clarinet
Wyatt Wahlgren funny!
U no, I seriously wanted to switch from French horn to soprano sax and the first one I saw was a straight one, so I immediately assumed it was almost the same as a bass clarinet , so I looked up, soprano sax vs bass clarinet, wow I’m dumb
Coltrane played a straight soprano and his sound is heavenly and ethereal. My sax player uses a curved and i hate it in the higher registers .
They both sound good, however to my ear the curved sounds more potent, more powerful, more in your ear, so to speak... More upfront... Know what I mean?
yes
It's hard to describe a sound right?
My husband actually owns one of each type. He prefers the curve soprano and less pressure on one’s thumb.
I have a curved Yani after a straight Mk V1 for 40 years. I agree with the intonation comments but I play in a lot of louder venues and the curved is not only man jewelry and a discussion piece, but it is so easy to mic like a regular sax. Especially if you have a clip on mic. I really like the curved for sure. They are different animals completely. I wish I had both but I had to sell my straight to get the curved.
Well said!
No thumb pressure with the curved one. Not a small thing to overlook.
Did anyone mention the ergonomics? a straight is spread in the hands even wider than an alto, while the curved is much tighter than an alto. I find the straight very comfortable and the curved is way too close together for me.
The curved one is cute, therefore it is better.
It's science.
The straight soprano sounded much nicer in the lower register for me. Is that common to have such a big difference between the curved and the straight soprano (regarding the lower notes) or may it just be the branch of the saxophones?
They are both good
I think your take on the difference is right on the mark. Personally, I think the curved neck modulates the tone a bit more as well as directing the sound more towards the audience. Van Morrison would definitely prefer the curved soprano.
I've always found the curved soprano so adorable
Damn! The straight do sound better and i have a curved Yanigisawa. Still very happy with it though. Does this transfer to a straight alto as well? Are there straight tenors?
Next ... _sopranino_ sax! 🎷🎷
After that ... sopranissimo sax! 🎷🎷
Hi thanks for sharing your video. I have played alto for a number of years. I have an inexpensive STAG. The low notes are very difficult to play especially low Bb as I have to do a big jump with my little finger. I have very small hands and am wondering whether a different Sax would suit me better. Also on the straight soprano not sure whether it is best to use the curved neck or straight neck. I also play sitting down. Any advice much appreciated.
Hi - Yes, some saxes have more ergonomic layouts which could mean an easier reach down to the low Bb, the Yamaha YAS-280 for example is nicely laid out for this. Also, playing low notes depends on (a) your fingers being able to reach the key and then (b) the pads closing over the hole correctly. Some of the inexpensive models are never set-up correctly meaning the pads won't always be sealing 100% over the hole. This means air escapes and it's harder for the note to speak. If you consider the low Bb requires all the holes to be shut then it's the note that will highlight any leaks the most because of that fact. Also, it's a harder note to voice because of the conical nature of the bore as it expands through the bell flare. If you can get to a store to try a Yamaha for example that would be one quick way to find out if that's the resolution. In terms of the Soprano, it's very much a personal preference on neck depending on how you hold it. If you prefer it straight out in front of you (when seated) then go for the straight, however if you feel more comfortable with it angled down a little more then the curved will allow for that. Hope all the above helps.
@@dawkesmusic Hi, I'd just like to add to this. I'm an instrument repair technician and also a soprano sax player, way more than on the other saxes, having a proper neck cork is paramount for playing the low end. Most shops will also be happy to shape a new cork to your specific mouthpiece at no extra charge (it's literally not extra work, we're shaping it to any random mouthpiece we have on hand anyway) and it can work wonders for your sound.
The Straight sounds more like a clarinet than a sax to me.
Agree
Robert Quance have you ever heard a clarinet before
@@djhfuctbgjo4741 there's a difference between "like" and "more like". It definitely sounds less gritty.
I play soprano alto end tenor .for some reason I am always more in tune with soprano and mostly in tenor .interesting 😮
That is a baby saxophone 🎷
100 years late to the party, but I liked the curved. The straight sounded better in his first pop-style lick, but the curved blew it away with that jazzy lick at the end. Just a more smokey, traditional sax sound. I've been playing a Roland Aerophone but am looking at getting a "real" sax again. Contemplating a curved sop, maybe the Schagerl. Want Bb without the weight/bulk of a tenor.
I play the tenor as my main horn, but I want to find a small travel sax that I can put in my carry-on luggage so I can practice while on the road. I am assuming that the curved will feel "closer" to my tenor. I played the straight soprano many years ago, and I felt that the shift was more significant. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Why oppose them? (Versus?) They're two different instruments. I have both. My curved soprano is a cheapo but it's still fun...and it draws more questions and comments, and not only from nonmusicians. Plus it has a really pretty flower engraved on the bell. I used to have a pawn shop straight Ardsley (no, not Artley) that I loved, but got rid of when I got the curved one. (I regret that decision.) Later I got a straight Cannonball soprano. It's a good horn, but I never warmed up to it like I did with the pawn shop horn. Just me, I guess.
Hello! I have recently started with alto sax and was wondering if I could alternate it with the soprano, learn both at the same time
I notice that the large keys on the curved sax are on the left rather than the right side of the bell. Does that affect anything?
Nope, just the way the curved has to be designed for space reasons.
What would the sound be like if the straight soprano had the straight neck attached ?
Pretty similar. Some people claim to hear a small difference, perhaps a little brighter or more direct, but it's more to do with intonation and feel for the player (i.e. angle in the mouth).
As for me, the straight one sounds softer n sweet and the curved one kind of concentrates the sound and vibrates a lil bit more. I'm about to buy one and lm not yet that sure of buying the straight one. I like Dave Caz, for instance n he plays the curved one but something deep inside is telling me the straight one's the one for me. Hope someone can tell me why l should buy this or that one. Thanks n blessings.
Hello thanks for your advice. I looked up the Yamaha Yas-280 but I think this is the alto model. Can you recommend a good soprano sax for someone with small hands?
Hello, man. I'm just wondering if you could help me. I learned how to play sax with my cheap alto Global Saxophone. I did pretty well with my playing. Then, at some time, a friend offered me her Curved soprano Fernando Sax because she wants to buy an alto sax for her daughter. So i decided to swap our instruments. We swapped. Now, the problem is, it really gives me a very hard time to give a decent sound. And when I make one, I just don't like the sound of it. The way your sax sounds is different from mine. Is it broken? Or does the mouth piece and reed matter? I have 2.5 in my previous sax as well as with this curved soprano. It sounds so deep. I really think it should sound sexy. Please help.
Hey, I hope you managed to get a fix! Soprano saxes have a bit of a different embouchure, they tend to need more mouth on the mouthpiece. Try giving it more support. I also use 2.5's, which are my favs (I use Vandoren, not sure about you. Maybe give a Legere a go as there's a bit less resistance on them, should make it a little easier to get a sound out of it). Mouthpieces make a difference- I've just ordered the straight soprano from here and am getting a Selmer S90, which at least on my tenor and alto has made a biiiiiig difference.
Make sure it's totally clean, using a pullthrough, or perhaps using Yamaha powder paper if you have some to make sure you have no sticky keys. A workaround is scribbling on a piece of paper with a pencil and putting it under the keys. Cigarette paper will help you check for leaks, and make sure the mouthpiece is nice and clean too.
Definitely. I think a metal mouthpiece on my curved sounds way too buzzy. I prefer a bigger chambered plastic or hard rubber mouthpiece.
I like the sound of curved better
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I prefer the sound of the curved. It just sounds more saxophone and also fits the look. The straight is too mellow and clarinet looking. I know either of these saxophones can sound just like a saxophone, I just prefer the curved.
Some one show me the notes to that solo👌
I always thought the Curved Soprano was bigger than what I'm seeing
Honestly, I hear the same
El curvo suena más power !!!
old chap doesnt seem like he'd wanna be seen in public with that thing.
The curved had some slight intonation issues. Little bit flat on the low D. Great mellow tone otherwise.
Cannonball makes a great soprano sax
I like the curved sopranos sound better.
Choose STRAIGHT SOPRANO SAX Because of intonation and ergonomics and the ergonomics same as alto
I *think* if you play clarinet.
A straight soprano would be eaiser to play. (It's just a hypothesis because- Well Clarinet is also a b flat instrument and it's straight.)
Daniel Campbell You are correct! You can play any clarinet pieces with a soprano saxophone because they are both in the B flat key. You can also play any trumpet piece with an a soprano.
Kind of, the angle you play clarinet at is vastly different, so actually can be confusing to play a straight soprano as not quite like a normal sax but not quite like a clarinet!
Most hard core horn guys usually have both, like me......
the curved one sounds like classic saxophone sound but straight almost sound like another instrument
Surprised to prefer the sound of the straight soprano. The curved sounds a little too sweet-corny. When I’ve heard the comparison in the past I thought the curved sounded more like a saxophone, losing the oboeish sound of the straight horn.
curved for me
I love the golden clarinet. Sounds a lot like a saxophone
The guy with the black shirt looks like the guy from the Big Bang theory’
Perhaps...but he gets paid a lot less than that guy ;-)
If you're a senior, never go for the straight, your fingers will suffer, strap or not. I played one in my twenties, with no problem. I bought one again in my sixties and had to sell it because of instant finger fatigue and pain, even using a neck strap. Stick to the curved.
soprano sax do be looking like a clarinet
even that big man is having a hard tyme playing the straight one
The straight reminds me of the clarinet, maybe a metal clarinet sound. Anyway around it, the curved soprano in the hands of a large man looks silly.
Baby Tenor sax
Straight sopranos. Old ones. Sound best. Without a doubt. And go up in value. But get what you like the sound of. It's not a competition.
SO true, not a competition.
the curved sounded better
Curve soprano : Kim Waters
sound.
I’m straight
Curved are easier to mic up... FWIW
The straight sound better
I'm the same size as the bald guy. And honestly curved looks like a toy.
soprano sax is a better clarient
LOL no... Just no...
@@jasonvoorhees7583 They just different.