Tenor Saxophone Jazz music?

Question

Does Tenor Saxophone get better parts in Jazz music than Alto Saxophone

Answer 1

BIAS ALERT!! BIAS ALERT!!

OK, now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'd have to say it is a matter or personal preference. Some say Soprano sax, some say Alto sax, some say Baritone sax, I say Tenor sax but there are exceptions. Of course, as I introduced this statement I am biased because my father is a Grammy winning Jazz musician who is trained in various instruments, but is best known for his Tenor work. I've a soft spot for it, and believe if you hit his website, you could address and obtain charts for ALL but might find the most pleasing and wide-ranging in the Tenor arena. However, given the right forum, each can be unique and compliment one another and/or stand out on their own.

Answer 2

not really

the alto is the leader of the saxes so it gets all the cool lead parts

everyone else just gets the harmonies to the lead alto

so they are pretty much the same

but i play tenor in jazz band and theres nothing wrong with it

Answer 3

Well, it really depends on the arranger!

But in a general sense, you can break it down this way:

Middle school and some high school charts have the lead alto playing the melody with the other saxes playing harmony.  The lead tenor will be playing the same rhythms as lead alto, with 2nd alto, 2nd tenor, and bari playing more simple rhythms.  Although bari can also play harmonies with the trombones.

Advanced high school music and college charts usually have the lead alto playing one melody, 2nd alto playing harmony.  Lead tenor plays a countermelody (a meldoy completely different from the altos, but complimenting) and 2nd tenor gives harmony to the countermelody.  Bari has its own random role- linking the saxes with the trombones and bass- completely different rhythms, but often harmonies that go with the tenors or trombones.

Lead alto and lead tenor usually get the solos, so that lets you have a little fun with tenor.  The alto sits in the middle because it dictates phrasing and articulation- it's more easily heard than tenor because it's pitched higher.  The lead tenor though, usually sits next to the rhythm section- great for hearing the chord changes with your solos!  2nd tenor and bari sit together because they have many of the same rhythms and harmonize with eachother, depending on the chart.

So I wouldn't say that tenor or alto parts are any better than the other... they're just different.  They play different roles within the ensemble, and both can be fun and challenging to play!

Have fun! :)