A major selling point for the C melody saxophone was the fact that in contrast to other saxophones, it was not a transposing instrument. As a result, the player could read regular printed music (e.g. for flute, oboe, violin, piano or guitar) without having to transpose or read music parts that have been transposed into B♭ or E♭, which most other saxophones would require. This enabled amateur musicians to play along with a friend or family member by reading from the same sheet music-so long as the music fell within the pitch range of the C melody saxophone itself, that is, was not too high or low. Another selling point was that the C melody produces a more muted tone than the E♭ alto or B♭ tenor, which was useful when playing at home. Many novelty tunes, most influenced by 1920s dance music, were written specifically for the instrument. They were sometimes also used in churches to accompany hymns. Saxophone players in Irish and Irish-American dance bands of the 1920s and '30s often used the C melody as it made for easier fingering in the keys of G and D commonly used for traditional Irish tunes played by fiddlers, flute players and button accordionists. Similarly, some players prefer the C melody when playing guitar-based blues music in E or A.
Man you play good! If some manufacturer would make them today I'd get it the next day ! It has a great sound with the modern technology it would a be a great sax
Have you or anyone else come across a C melody with the screw on mouthpiece instead of the modern corked neck? I have a 1920's Conn silver plated with the screw on mouthpiece to the gooseneck. Thanks. David.
It's nice to hear one played with an alto mouthpiece -almost everyone uses a tenor Mpc on them that I've heard, or a C melody mouthpiece (which use tenor reeds, so it's basically just a tenor mouthpiece with a short shank). Definitely a different tone with the alto mpc, and I personally prefer it too.
I absolutely agree. I have been an alto player for 4 years. Once I found the C melody it's become my main instrument. It's nice to hear an alto mouthpiece on this saxophone. It a gives very nice tone.
wrong.....the C-Mel MP is a size all it's own and though it seems as large in diameter as a Tenor MP, the slope is way different. You have to take a LOT of the C-Mel MP into your mouth and at first it feels unnatural, but once you adjust to it, it's very pleasant
@@hamjohn8737 The C-mel mouthpieces I've seen are much closer in size to tenor than alto, and use tenor reeds, so I stand by my statement that most C-mel mouthpieces are "basically" just tenor mouthpieces with a short shank. Oversimplification, sure, but still generally true in the context of my comment.
Nice playing. If I was just listening I would have a hard time telling if it was Alto or tenor. There are times you have a Paul Desmond tone in the upper register and then time were you have a nice tenor tone. I like it. I would watch you at a gig playing that. It would be fun trying out different mouthpieces to fine tune that. I need to find me one of these.
Just bought a 1919 Conn tenor style C mel for $200 I’m a tenor and bari player so I’ll try my Theo Wanne Durga tenor piece on it I’ll be sure to give an update on how it went but super excited to try it
There are new C Melody mouthpieces being made nowadays, and Tenor reeds are the same width, just longer so it doesn't matter - they fit with a bit more reed sticking forward of the ligature.
I just picked up one of these (from Conn from 1923), and after a little tinkering, it plays nicely and works well with an alto mouthpiece. Mine came with an original C melody mouthpiece and it is VERY hard to play it with that; the low notes are basically impossible. Mine needs some work (a professional tuneup), but I would totally play it out and it's a new sound for me.
Thanks for the video. I got a new Chinese C-saxophone two years ago for a little under 800 dollars. Yes, the tenor mouthpiece - a Yamaha 6C Custom - needs to be pushed all the way in and still it’s flat. So I cut the tenor neck two millimeters but it’s still flat. I prefer the alto neck and the Chinese alto mouthpiece. The sax is sharp in the palm keys. I may go ahead and put some rubber flaps in those tone holes as I did in the B and the D tone holes. It made it better. My biggest problem is that the Bb tone hole is flat. I was unable to remedy that with a rubber flap. You can remedy a sharp tone hole but obviously you can’t remedy a flat tone hole. The sound is rather good. I did many other adjustments to better the ergonomics so bummer with the flat Bb tone hole.
Thanks for commenting. Congrats on your purchase... it sounds like at the very least you're learning a lot about the physics of intonation and saxophone construction, couple that what a decent sounding instrument that you enjoy playing - $800 bucks sounds like you've gotten your money's worth!
i got a silver gretch c melody with the original mouth pice and it fits my alto and changes the pitch really low and the neck on my c melody is curved like the tenors not straight now Im curious to repad it and see what the original sound would be like
I have a Conn with the alto-style neck like yours (Conn Castle made in 1923). I prefer a tenor mp because I found the alto mp to gurgle on the low notes, and I prefer the beefier sound of the tenor mp. I don't have a problem with the tenor mp playing flat because it is an old Brilhart #3 with a short shank. I usually play a 2.5 or 3 Rico Royal reed. Luckily for me the salesman at the Sam Ash store in Philly knew something and enclosed that mp with the horn. Like you I have to wrap something around the cork when playing the tenor mp; electrical tape works fine. Like you I am also a hobby player.
The pads are different sizes, but they are the same type of pads as any other saxophone. If you're thinking of ordering a set of pads I would strongly suggest you measure the key cups and order the pads individually to ensure a proper fit, as "pad sets" tend not to fit each key perfectly. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I just got one from Thomann in Germany $799 for the brass......and FAXX on EBay is a great mouthpiece and the Babbitt makes a great one as well. I like the 20s original MP with a Black Onyx reed from Harry Hartmann
Yeah, they call it that, but if you measure the horn / bore etc it is basically a slightly longer alto which is why an alto mouthpiece works better than a tenor mouthpiece. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle Some models are designed for a Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, but it's super cool. It's interesting to hear it becoming more popular again.
I've listened to both the curved and straight neck C-Melody Saxs (Can I call it a Contralto Sax?) and like the straight neck sound better. More alto-y, but in a pleasant contralto register. Like Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall, Karen Carpenter. Very nice.
From a personal standpoint, this particular C Melody Saxophone would be the actual Contralto Female Voice type. Obviously the Alto is supposed to be technically, and the Mezzo-Soprano Sax is the Mezzo-Soprano Female Voice equivalent. For me I guess the Alto Sax is just a RICH, Dark, Mezzo-Soprano instrument and Voice type, while the C Melody Sax is the actual equivalent to the Contralto Female Voice. Substituting the "C" Melody as "Contralto Melody" You play Awesome!! Great Video👍🏾👍🏾
@@TheSaxophoneOracle And now you can: ruclips.net/video/FS7G-8Q7JGI/видео.html He has actually recorded a bunch of stuff on the Aquilasax C that you can hear on Spotify.
@@ubizmo I tried a friend's Aquila C sax a few years ago, tenor style neck, my Brilhart #3 tenor mp. I found the horn very ergonomically uncomfortable, crushed into my chest. Don't know if that was because of the neck or that's just the horn. Sound was okay but my Conn sounded way better. Key work was smoother but that was made moot by the ergonomics of the horn. I wouldn't trade.
@@TheSaxophoneOracleaaaaaand I bought another one. Exact same model as yours. I’ve always loved the new wonder 2 series, I have always had one of the altos, and used to have a second. The cmel is really fun
How does one buy a saxophone accidentally? I like the buescher C melodies - good horns, but I prefer the Conn's 'cause I find the straight neck more comfortable to play. Have fun with it! BTW - here's a link to a video of me playing the true tone and my bandmate playing the Conn. ruclips.net/video/_6VCAwXFHZ4/видео.html
@@TheSaxophoneOracle I bought it based off of pictures and thought it was a tenor. I thought all beuscher c melody horns had the cage and key above the thumb rest but found out the hard way that the MK IV's do not.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle waiting on a tenor I won to show up. don't have high expectations but figure it will be a good horn to practice overhauling on. it's a conn 22m. I've read that they were actually decent horns, we'll see. I learned on the old shooting stars like most kids in the 80's. I had an old poll true II Bari that I wish I had kept. my point is that I've played on horns that don't have stellar reputations and I'm basically a bumblebee, I don't know that I'm not supposed to be able to fly.
So I disagree. Don't use a Bb Tenor or Eb Alto mouthpiece, use a C Melody. Get with it. There are 3 American companies that make new C Melody mouthpieces that cost from $160USD up to $320USD, still affordable. GS (Getasax), Morgan, and Caravan. If you want to be serious about C Melody, buy a C Mel mouthpiece!!! I believe they all use Tenor Saxophone reeds which is easy. Enjoy !!!
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, I'm not spending that on mouthpiece for a horn that is a novelty. Again, I like the Dolphy vide I get with an alto mp. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for watching. There is no problem actually - I like playing it with the alto mouthpiece, but if you work for GS Reso feel free to send me one. Cheers!
A major selling point for the C melody saxophone was the fact that in contrast to other saxophones, it was not a transposing instrument. As a result, the player could read regular printed music (e.g. for flute, oboe, violin, piano or guitar) without having to transpose or read music parts that have been transposed into B♭ or E♭, which most other saxophones would require. This enabled amateur musicians to play along with a friend or family member by reading from the same sheet music-so long as the music fell within the pitch range of the C melody saxophone itself, that is, was not too high or low.
Another selling point was that the C melody produces a more muted tone than the E♭ alto or B♭ tenor, which was useful when playing at home. Many novelty tunes, most influenced by 1920s dance music, were written specifically for the instrument. They were sometimes also used in churches to accompany hymns. Saxophone players in Irish and Irish-American dance bands of the 1920s and '30s often used the C melody as it made for easier fingering in the keys of G and D commonly used for traditional Irish tunes played by fiddlers, flute players and button accordionists. Similarly, some players prefer the C melody when playing guitar-based blues music in E or A.
I have 1920s Conn C melody. Great for church to read off the hymnal.
Seems like you're using it as was intended back in the day. Thank you for watching and commenting!
Just bought one of these, not sure what condition it will be in, but its fun to see so many conn c melody saxes on youtube.
Greatest C-sax player in the whole world, without doubts!!
Haha, that's very kind of you to say, but I've heard some pretty awesome C melody players over the years. Thanks for watching!
Man you play good! If some manufacturer would make them today I'd get it the next day ! It has a great sound with the modern technology it would a be a great sax
Have you or anyone else come across a C melody with the screw on mouthpiece instead of the modern corked neck? I have a 1920's Conn silver plated with the screw on mouthpiece to the gooseneck. Thanks. David.
Hi there, I'd love to see the mouthpiece and neck on this horn. Do you have any pictures online?
@@camdenloth7879 I am not home now but will get some pictures later in the week.
It's nice to hear one played with an alto mouthpiece -almost everyone uses a tenor Mpc on them that I've heard, or a C melody mouthpiece (which use tenor reeds, so it's basically just a tenor mouthpiece with a short shank). Definitely a different tone with the alto mpc, and I personally prefer it too.
I absolutely agree. I have been an alto player for 4 years. Once I found the C melody it's become my main instrument. It's nice to hear an alto mouthpiece on this saxophone. It a gives very nice tone.
Thanks so much!
wrong.....the C-Mel MP is a size all it's own and though it seems as large in diameter as a Tenor MP, the slope is way different. You have to take a LOT of the C-Mel MP into your mouth and at first it feels unnatural, but once you adjust to it, it's very pleasant
@@hamjohn8737 The C-mel mouthpieces I've seen are much closer in size to tenor than alto, and use tenor reeds, so I stand by my statement that most C-mel mouthpieces are "basically" just tenor mouthpieces with a short shank. Oversimplification, sure, but still generally true in the context of my comment.
Nice playing. If I was just listening I would have a hard time telling if it was Alto or tenor. There are times you have a Paul Desmond tone in the upper register and then time were you have a nice tenor tone. I like it. I would watch you at a gig playing that. It would be fun trying out different mouthpieces to fine tune that. I need to find me one of these.
Thanks! It is a fun little instrument, and plenty of great ones out there if you're willing to put a bit of money into reviving one. Thanks again!
I like the tone you got with the tenor.
Just bought a 1919 Conn tenor style C mel for $200
I’m a tenor and bari player so I’ll try my Theo Wanne Durga tenor piece on it
I’ll be sure to give an update on how it went but super excited to try it
There are new C Melody mouthpieces being made nowadays, and Tenor reeds are the same width, just longer so it doesn't matter - they fit with a bit more reed sticking forward of the ligature.
Yeah, I'd like to try one of those.
Sounds like a sax being played on an old 40's film. Its cool.
I just picked up one of these (from Conn from 1923), and after a little tinkering, it plays nicely and works well with an alto mouthpiece. Mine came with an original C melody mouthpiece and it is VERY hard to play it with that; the low notes are basically impossible. Mine needs some work (a professional tuneup), but I would totally play it out and it's a new sound for me.
Thanks for sharing! They are really cool horns.. I really like the Conn's. Hope to hear you play it sometime.
Thanks for the video. I got a new Chinese C-saxophone two years ago for a little under 800 dollars. Yes, the tenor mouthpiece - a Yamaha 6C Custom - needs to be pushed all the way in and still it’s flat. So I cut the tenor neck two millimeters but it’s still flat. I prefer the alto neck and the Chinese alto mouthpiece. The sax is sharp in the palm keys. I may go ahead and put some rubber flaps in those tone holes as I did in the B and the D tone holes. It made it better. My biggest problem is that the Bb tone hole is flat. I was unable to remedy that with a rubber flap. You can remedy a sharp tone hole but obviously you can’t remedy a flat tone hole. The sound is rather good. I did many other adjustments to better the ergonomics so bummer with the flat Bb tone hole.
Thanks for commenting. Congrats on your purchase... it sounds like at the very least you're learning a lot about the physics of intonation and saxophone construction, couple that what a decent sounding instrument that you enjoy playing - $800 bucks sounds like you've gotten your money's worth!
Tendrá la digitación del Sax C melody???
i got a silver gretch c melody with the original mouth pice and it fits my alto and changes the pitch really low and the neck on my c melody is curved like the tenors not straight now Im curious to repad it and see what the original sound would be like
I THANK IT SOUND AS GOOD AS THE OTHERS I have a 1923 c melody ?
SYOS is making a C melody mouthpiece for my 1925 martin.
Cool. You’ll have to let us know how you like it!
Nice playing!
Sounds GREAT!
Just seen this. Sounds great. Try using tenor reeds on the alto mp. At least theres no transposing headaches!
Thanks for commenting... yeah, I've tried tenor reeds on alto and it works fine, but tenor reeds cost more than alto and I'm cheap!
@@TheSaxophoneOracle but they last longer.
I have a Conn with the alto-style neck like yours (Conn Castle made in 1923). I prefer a tenor mp because I found the alto mp to gurgle on the low notes, and I prefer the beefier sound of the tenor mp. I don't have a problem with the tenor mp playing flat because it is an old Brilhart #3 with a short shank. I usually play a 2.5 or 3 Rico Royal reed. Luckily for me the salesman at the Sam Ash store in Philly knew something and enclosed that mp with the horn. Like you I have to wrap something around the cork when playing the tenor mp; electrical tape works fine. Like you I am also a hobby player.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
@@TheSaxophoneOracle BTW, you sound great, and even with your alto mp it sounds like a tenor!
@@cl7player Thank you
Is C melody sax same pads to Eb Alto sax?
The pads are different sizes, but they are the same type of pads as any other saxophone. If you're thinking of ordering a set of pads I would strongly suggest you measure the key cups and order the pads individually to ensure a proper fit, as "pad sets" tend not to fit each key perfectly. Thank you for watching and commenting.
I just got one from Thomann in Germany $799 for the brass......and FAXX on EBay is a great mouthpiece and the Babbitt makes a great one as well. I like the 20s original MP with a Black Onyx reed from Harry Hartmann
The Saxophone Oracle It's essentially a Non-Transposing variant of the Tenor Sax which is why it can also be called a "C Tenor Sax"
Yeah, they call it that, but if you measure the horn / bore etc it is basically a slightly longer alto which is why an alto mouthpiece works better than a tenor mouthpiece. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle Some models are designed for a Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, but it's super cool. It's interesting to hear it becoming more popular again.
The more accurate name would be the Contralto Saxophone, or the C Alto as it's range is closer to the alto, only off by a minor third.
I've listened to both the curved and straight neck C-Melody Saxs (Can I call it a Contralto Sax?) and like the straight neck sound better. More alto-y, but in a pleasant contralto register. Like Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall, Karen Carpenter. Very nice.
From a personal standpoint, this particular C Melody Saxophone would be the actual Contralto Female Voice type. Obviously the Alto is supposed to be technically, and the Mezzo-Soprano Sax is the Mezzo-Soprano Female Voice equivalent. For me I guess the Alto Sax is just a RICH, Dark, Mezzo-Soprano instrument and Voice type, while the C Melody Sax is the actual equivalent to the Contralto Female Voice. Substituting the "C" Melody as "Contralto Melody" You play Awesome!! Great Video👍🏾👍🏾
Isn't there a Chinese company still making C melody saxes?
Probably... but I've never seen one or tried one.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle And now you can: ruclips.net/video/FS7G-8Q7JGI/видео.html
He has actually recorded a bunch of stuff on the Aquilasax C that you can hear on Spotify.
@@ubizmo I tried a friend's Aquila C sax a few years ago, tenor style neck, my Brilhart #3 tenor mp. I found the horn very ergonomically uncomfortable, crushed into my chest. Don't know if that was because of the neck or that's just the horn. Sound was okay but my Conn sounded way better. Key work was smoother but that was made moot by the ergonomics of the horn. I wouldn't trade.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle
Yes I have a Chinese custom made C that is absolutely great, so good I had them make a Bari for me. Here is some pics of the C
Thanks for sharing. I prefer the alto mouthpiece sounds too. Nice use of Canadian Tire money. :)
Thanks for watching!
I love the tenor tone though brighter with the alto. Maybe a tenor with a softer reed?
That'd sound good, but I can't get the tenor mouthpiece on far enough to play in tune.
Love it
amazing
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice sound very similar to a tenor
Glad you like it
Bought one today for 80$. 1920 manufacture year. Needs some work, but I can’t wait to play it
Enjoy! Thanks for commenting!
@@TheSaxophoneOracleaaaaaand I bought another one. Exact same model as yours. I’ve always loved the new wonder 2 series, I have always had one of the altos, and used to have a second. The cmel is really fun
Mine came with an actual c melody saxophone mouthpiece. The reed that works best is a harder tenor reed, 4 or a 5
Very cool 🔥
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
I use this inexpensive mouthpiece on my C it's great
"MPC Planet mouthpiece about $ 60 to Canada
Cheers
Thanks, I'll check it out... I "might" be tempted to spend 60$ on C melody mp. I'll keep you posted.
just accidentally bought a buescher True Tone c melody. I don't hate it.
How does one buy a saxophone accidentally? I like the buescher C melodies - good horns, but I prefer the Conn's 'cause I find the straight neck more comfortable to play. Have fun with it! BTW - here's a link to a video of me playing the true tone and my bandmate playing the Conn. ruclips.net/video/_6VCAwXFHZ4/видео.html
@@TheSaxophoneOracle I bought it based off of pictures and thought it was a tenor. I thought all beuscher c melody horns had the cage and key above the thumb rest but found out the hard way that the MK IV's do not.
@@ucanbobonthis I see... well it's a fun little horn to play. Hopefully you'll find that tenor soon. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@TheSaxophoneOracle waiting on a tenor I won to show up. don't have high expectations but figure it will be a good horn to practice overhauling on. it's a conn 22m. I've read that they were actually decent horns, we'll see. I learned on the old shooting stars like most kids in the 80's. I had an old poll true II Bari that I wish I had kept. my point is that I've played on horns that don't have stellar reputations and I'm basically a bumblebee, I don't know that I'm not supposed to be able to fly.
Hip sound!
Thanks!
So I disagree. Don't use a Bb Tenor or Eb Alto mouthpiece, use a C Melody. Get with it. There are 3 American companies that make new C Melody mouthpieces that cost from $160USD up to $320USD, still affordable. GS (Getasax), Morgan, and Caravan. If you want to be serious about C Melody, buy a C Mel mouthpiece!!! I believe they all use Tenor Saxophone reeds which is easy. Enjoy !!!
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, I'm not spending that on mouthpiece for a horn that is a novelty. Again, I like the Dolphy vide I get with an alto mp. Thanks for commenting!
I couldn't agree with you more.
@@TheSaxophoneOracle You can get a close facsimile with the FAXX that only cost $40
798th sub
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Buy a GS Reso C mouthpiece. It will solve the problems,
Thank you for watching. There is no problem actually - I like playing it with the alto mouthpiece, but if you work for GS Reso feel free to send me one. Cheers!
@@TheSaxophoneOracle Jerk!
@@andrea22213 I don't understand? Why are you calling me a jerk?
If I had money, you bet your butt I'd give it all to get one for myself
Thanks for the comment! If you ever get the money together you can have mine!
@@TheSaxophoneOracle hypothetically....... how much might you be asking?
@@ryn-pg9wb 2000 Canadian dollars and it's yours.(plus Shipping)
Desconcierta bastante por q no podes hubicarlo ni en el registro de tenor ni del alto
It sounds nice but doesn't stand out against the piano much.