Why is Altissimo So Easy on Bari
Alto and baritone saxophones both receive the designation of "primary" saxophones and often share the stage in a big band gig. The similarities between both saxophones are numerous, but so are the distinctions.
These are, in short, just some of the differences between alto and baritone saxophones:
- Alto saxophones are smaller than baritone saxophones.
- Alto saxophones are higher-pitched than baritone saxophones.
- Baritone saxophones have more curves in their design than alto saxophones.
- Baritones are more difficult to play than altos.
In this article, we'll discuss these distinctions in more detail. Before we delve deeper into them, let's review the saxophones themselves for further understanding.
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What Is An Alto Saxophone?
The alto saxophone is the second-smallest primary saxophone, next to the soprano. It's also the smallest saxophone featuring an elbow by default (some soprano saxophones are manufactured with a curved framework, but they're seldom seen).
With that said, alto saxophones are relatively large compared to sopranos and virtually dwarf other less conventional members of the saxophone family like the sopranino and the soprillo.
Of course, alto saxophones are smaller than their tenor, baritone and bass counterparts.
Alto saxophones are curved at the bottom but are also bent at the neck area, a factor that differentiates them further from soprano saxophones (even curved sopranos). This perk would allow players to maneuver the instrument more comfortably.
One of the greatest advantages alto saxophones have over most other types of saxophones is their accessibility. This doesn't refer only to availability but also playability.
Altos are relatively easy to play, which is why saxophone trainers often recommend students to start with the alto rather than the soprano. Despite being more portable and lighter, sopranos are harder to play due to their tricky embouchure.
Alto saxophones are also incredibly popular and were the instrument of choice for some of the most illustrious saxophonists. Ambassadors of this instrument include Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, and Art Pepper, among many others.
The alto saxophone has a pitch range from Db3 to Ab5 and is built in the key of Eb.
What Is A Baritone Saxophone?
The baritone saxophone is the largest out of the four primary saxophones. Its tone is quite strong and mature, almost husky. It's designed in the key of Eb, with a pitch range from Db2 to Ab4.
While still a staple of many big bands and orchestras, the baritone (or "bari" as it's often called) is not predisposed to be featured as a solo instrument.
This is due to various factors, including the fact that it's generally harder to play. Its tone and timbre do not match the features most people would look for in lead instruments, at least within a more conventional framework.
Regardless, it's not unusual to find baritone saxophonists being praised for their melodic and solo works, with Harry Carney being one of the most iconic examples. Among other prominent baritone saxophonists, we can mention the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams, Cecil Payne, and Bob Gordon.
The baritone has also gained notoriety in pop culture thanks to Lisa Simpson, the famous character from The Simpsons cartoon. While most people might not recognize the instrument immediately as a baritone saxophone, it's the horn she appears to be playing in the cartoon's classical intro.
What Are The Differences Between Alto And Baritone Saxophones?
Next, we will segway into the main distinctions between alto and baritone saxophones, using the list we made in our introduction as a template.
First Difference: Size
The size difference should be quite notorious. Despite the fact that baritones are curvier, they still manage to double the height of the alto, which comes in just a tad above 2 ft.
The weight contrast is even starker, with the baritone being almost three times as heavy as the alto. To illustrate, the alto weighs roughly 4 lb 5 oz (2.2 kg), while the baritone reaches 11 lb 1 oz (5 kg).
Weights may vary more or less depending on the saxophones' material, but these are appropriate approximations.
Related article: Do You Need Big Hands To Play Saxophone?
Second Difference: Pitch
The baritone saxophone is exactly one octave lower than the alto saxophone (they're both in the key of Eb). This bears relation with the size difference, for frequency is inversely proportional to length. With a much wider and longer design, the baritone should naturally deliver lower-pitched notes than the alto.
These would be the approximate frequencies attained by each instrument (not counting thealtissimo range).
- Alto: Ranging from approximately 125 to 900 Hz (corresponding to Db3 – Ab5).
- Baritone: Ranging from approximately 69 to 415 Hz (corresponding to Db2 – Ab4).
Third Difference: Design
The design of the alto saxophone appears to be much more simple than that of the baritone, just slightly bent at the crook and with the elbow and bell being a third of the body's height.
Conversely, the baritone has a very prominent loop connecting the body with the neck and mouthpiece, while the bell's height is almost two-thirds of the body's. Baritones would normally carry a spit valve to leak out all the saliva and water buildups, considering the hardships involved in cleaning its bore.
Related article: Do Alto Saxophones Have Spit Valves?
This curvy form is, by no means, just for aesthetic purposes. If baritones were made in the same shape and proportions of an alto saxophone, it would be incredibly hard (if not almost impossible) to maneuver and play them, which is why some adjustments had to be made to the body in order to render them playable.
Fourth Difference: Difficulty
The baritone is harder to play than the alto due to its dimensions and the lung capacity required to produce an audible note. On the flip side, the alto is heralded as the most beginner-friendly saxophone next to the melody saxophone (largely out of production).
Baritones still pale in comparison to soprano saxophones in terms of difficulty. Still, baritones earn a very close second place in the ranking, with the weight being added to the challenge.
Differences Between Other Saxophone Types
Here are more My New Microphone articles discussing the differences between other saxophone types:
- The Differences Between Soprano & Alto Saxophones
- The Differences Between Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
- The Differences Between Soprano & Baritone Saxophones
- The Differences Between Bass & Soprano Saxophones
- The Differences Between Alto & Tenor Saxophones
- The Differences Between Baritone & Tenor Saxophones
- The Differences Between Bass & Tenor Saxophones
- The Differences Between Bass & Baritone Saxophones
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