The soprano saxophone adapted to different tone generators in comparison to prototype instruments

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to investigate the extent to which a prototype wind-instrument resonator could be equipped with various tone generators to meet basic expectations of Western music practice in terms of range, tonal balance, and intonation. Sound generators from a Renaissance cornett, a bassoon, a Chinese bawu, and an Armenian duduk were adapted to a soprano saxophone body to test this. Further, the saxophone was performed as a rim flute by blowing against the neck, and an extended didjeridu adapter was crafted as well. The adaptations were tested against the original instruments by comparing single tone recordings throughout the range of the instruments. The test criteria were the breadth of tonal range, achievable intonation accuracy, dynamic range, and the constancy of the frequency spectrum. Some of the variations, like the bawu-reed adaptation, were easy to play; others, like the cornett, required years of practice. It was possible to play each adapted instrument in tune throughout the range of the prototypical instrument from which the tone-generator was taken. The tonal spectra were generally between those of the original instruments, which provided the tone generator, and the spectrum of the soprano saxophone, which lent the body.