The Bis Key Chronicles

I have been long toying with the purchase of a Conn F Mezzo soprano saxophone. So I was very excited when this one was listed this month:

"Up for auction is a RARE 1928 Conn F Mezzo Soprano Sax. Sometimes described as F altos, these saxes have a very interesting history that began in the mid-1920s and ended shortly after. Most of the F saxes ended up in Conn’s repair facility as test horns that were intentionally damaged and then repaired by Conn technicians. For more about the history go here: http://www.classicsax.com/asi/falto.pdf.

This may have been one of those "test" horns as it has a port added to the neck for what I can on imagine was a microphone. It is covered by a cap and seals perfectly, and therefore has no effect on its playability. This saxophone is plated with satin silver and has a light gold wash in the bell. The plating is in near perfect condition and shows almost no signs of wear other than some missing plating near the neck cork (from an overly aggressive cork replacement, I think), and a small amount of tarnish that could easily be polished off. There is also a number engraved above the serial number that may have been a previous owner’s identification number. I have tried to show all of the horn’s blemishes in the pictures. There are no major dents or scratches to speak of…this horn is really in near perfect shape.

Included is a brand new hard rubber F Mezzo-Soprano mouthpiece that I just acquired through JJ Babbitt (the makers of Otto Link, Meyer and many more) as well as a modified Protec trumpet case. I do not have the original mouthpiece or case. It has been through a repair shop recently and doesn’t need any pads, corks or felts. It is ready to play right out of the box." – author’s name removed at his request.

It sold yesterday for $4,650.00 to a bidder called jmichaelleonard. J. Michael Leonard is a world-famous saxophone player who will actually use this instrument as it was really meant to be used. That is if the buyer really is J. Michael because in this day and times anyone can use anyone’s name.I must admit that I do have a rare F Mezzo sax mouthpiece just in case I ever get a chance to play one. And one of the most successful eBay instrument sellers, QuinnTheEskimo, lets me know when he has interesting instruments for sale, like the Conn-o-sax that I got to play last year. Sweet!

This article in various forms has been posted this week at different sites and forums. This particular version is the best I have seen yet:

By KENNETH CHANG, February 12, 2008

"The saxophone, invented by Adolphe Sax, the Belgian instrument maker, and patented in 1846, is a curved tube of brass with holes. Its vibrations can reach high-pitched wailing notes, particularly when played by jazz musicians like John Coltrane.

The vocal tract, including the mouth and upper throat, is another vibrating tube, and for some years, scientists and musicians have wondered how important the one is to the other."

Read more …

The high notes also known as altissimo require the ability to voice the note and alternative fingerings. Maybe the definition of a professional saxophonist would not be just whether you get paid for gigs, but rather whether you can hit altissimo notes? I’m starting to feel that for a saxophonist to advance you must have the opinion that nothing is impossible on the instrument.

Some of my favorite sax players who can really hit the altissimo’s:

Lenny Pickett
Bert Wilson (Lenny’s private teacher for many years)
Donny Mccasslin
Chris Potter
Chris Speed
Rick Margitza
Joshua Redman

For a graphic example check out YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBGW3CaQR0 where Marc Russo was playing up there with excellent control…check out 3.56 and 4.41..

The article goes on to say that they are now testing clarinets. Ah, the science of music.