12 Moons Solo Saxophone Project Day 142

Date: 05/22/2013

Instrument: Tenor saxophone

Location: Home studio in Clinton, WA (Whidbey Island)

Notes:

This afternoon I worked with fixed scales that had a bluesy quality to them. Eventually I began transitioning the use of tempered pitches to more pliable ones with false fingerings. My improvisation today use a fixed scale with six different findings. This created a 7 note scale with non-tempered, de-tuned pitches. Some of the fingerings used make it possible to play a minor third, or minor second simultaneously. For example, with the pitches Bb and B the melodic variation between the notes was achieved with movement in air flow and embouchure with a single fingering.

The fingerings (from lowest to highest and in the tenor key)

1. C# (slightly sharp) (Left Hand) B-A-G keys, Octave, Low Bb, Palm Eb // (Right Hand) F-E keys, Side F#, Low C.

2. D (quarter step sharp) (Left Hand) B-A-G keys, Octave, Low Bb, Palm Eb // (Right Hand) F-E keys, Low C.

3. F (quarter step sharp) (Left Hand) B-A-G keys, Octave, Low Bb // (Right Hand) F-E keys, Low C. There is also naturally a minor third F to D chord with this fingering that speaks at times.

4. F# (quarter step sharp) (Left Hand) B-A-G keys, Octave, Low Bb // (Right Hand) F-E keys, Side F#, Low C.

5-6. Bb and B (Left Hand) B key, Octave, Low Bb // (Right Hand) F-E-D keys, Low Eb. To achieve each pitch bend with embouchure.

7. C# (Left Hand) B key, Octave, Low Bb // (Right Hand) F-E-D keys, Low Eb.

-Neil

The image accompanying today’s post is of Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who released a new music video today.