Most of my arrangements are not difficult, and the orchestra starts to sound almost immediately. Moreover, the fullness of the sound hardly depends on the number of musicians.
"What do you mean, it doesn't depend?" you may ask. Let me explain.
The Problem of an Incomplete Band
Amateur orchestras very often lack players of, say, the tuba, French horn, oboe, trombone or baritone. Among wind instruments, the saxophone is far more popular today. So arrangements written for a full band may sound "with holes" — after all, you don't have every instrument listed in the score.
Conductors try to compensate by adding a bass guitar, an electric guitar or keyboards to the wind orchestra. But then the orchestra depends on electricity, cables, amplifiers and speakers. Its sound changes, and its main advantage — mobility — is lost.
So how do you make an incomplete orchestra sound good and full — with musicians missing and without electronic instruments?
My Creative Trick
As a rule, wind-band scores contain parts for three saxophones: Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2, Tenor Sax.
All I did was add one more saxophone: Alto Sax 3. As a result, a saxophone quartet appeared inside the orchestra: Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2, Alto Sax 3, Tenor Sax. And counting the Baritone Sax part, you even get a saxophone quintet.
The saxophone quartet or quintet is part of the orchestra, but whenever needed the saxophone ensemble can also play on its own. This is exactly what makes the sound of the whole orchestra full and balanced. Even if some other instruments are missing, four saxophones guarantee that you have melody, harmony and bass.
Of course, if the orchestra has both woodwinds and brass, you will hear all the colors and nuances.
The Minimal Lineup
So: three alto saxophones and a tenor saxophone are the minimal requirement for my arrangements to sound.
For convenience, the Alto Sax 3 part is also transposed for tenor saxophone. It is called Tenor Sax 2 (instead of Alto Sax 3). In other words, the quartet can consist of two altos and two tenors.
The Bottom Line
In the end you get "two in one": an arrangement for the orchestra and an arrangement for a saxophone quartet/quintet.
Good luck!
Questions? Call: +972 54-622-2633.
Evgeny
