I think you're overlooking a great place for this instrument - accompanying pop / rock bands playing songs written by guitarists. For instance, the band you're in covers Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone. That's a great progression to solo over and you want your turn. The most common rock / pop keys are E, Em, A, Am, G, C and D. Bring your alto to the gig and you're playing in C#, F#, E, A and B. To my fingers these are some challenging keys! The C melody lets me use the simpler fingerings and easier keys.
I had both a C Melody (Tenor) and a C Soprano for a while many years ago, but sold them after a while because there was no real use for them. But now I’m inspired to get a hold of one (in working condition) and start playing it again. Kinda like an Alto Clarinet , which I stilll own and play & enjoy!
I've owned an old Elkhart C tenor for several years and just had it rebuilt. It was pricy but then again, it's over 100 years old. Well, this morning, while at church, I plan to take her along to join in our music group. Think this is the best way to honor this old girl.
I love the C-melody! It is my favorite to play, love the sweet range it has. I have a colllection of vintage c-tenors, 5 conn straight necks and 4 buescher true tones. I love all of the horns for different reasons. For ergonomics, I would choose the later model conn new wonder II "chu-berry" model. I find the keywork conn made, to be quite comfortable for a 1920's era horn, the straight neck helps the playing position. The palm keys on the series II models are nice and high compared to the series I which to me makes a huge difference. Now for the timbre, both brands sound nice, but I have to go with Buescher on this one. Buescher C-mels have a really dark and rich, tenor like sound where the conns sound a little thinner but with a very spread sound . Early Bueschers are a little iffy with intonation, but the late ones which are quite hard to find are excellect playing saxes. The Bueschers made from about 1927 and later have a redesigned body tube which has great intonation and is very free blowing across the whple range of the horn. The laters ones also have the most advanced keywork the Buescher made, however still not as comfortable as the conn instruments. There are a lot of myths about c-melody saxes being poorly made, and sounding like a duck. These horns are made of equal quality to their alto and tenor counterparts for the same brand of saxophone. They also can sound really nice with a good modern c-melody mouthpiece. So that is my opinion based one my experience with the 9 horns in my c-mel collection.
Another great presentation. I hope you produce as many of these instrument features as possible. Not only very informative but more importantly they spark the imagination. I've two Buescher C tenors. Must bump them up on my overhaul list.
I own one from the 1920s by J.W. York and Sons. It's my favourite to busk with. And oh, yes, I got it overhauled. When I buy an instrument, I fully intend to PLAY the thing! Worth every penny.
Greetings from Ukraine! Wow, I've just realized that such invention as C-melody sax exists ! What a revelation after alto clarinet for me, hehe... And I see that they are quite affordable, unlikely the antique Adolph Sax versions of altos and tenors, where the prices start at 2 grand...
Great show! I got a new Chinese c-tenor similar to yours a few years ago for about $800. It came with a alto m p with a 1.5 mm tip. I’m doing some upgrades on it now and then, ergonomically and tuning wise. It’s becoming a nice sax.
Thank you for your presentation! I, today in fact, just bought a Conn C Melody/Tenor sax. I am just beginning to try to educate myself about this instrument because my Grandfather played in a band in the 20’s and this was his instrument of choice. I actually prefer the alto sax but I intend to try to learn both. Aaaah, retirement! :)
Recently acquired a Conn C Melody (straight neck/New Wonder I), and I am using the Caravan mouthpiece. Very nice sounds! I am using it in a Moravian church band, on the c soprano part (flutes/oboes) which as written does not go very far above or below the stave (good range for a sax). The c melody blends very nicely into the band's ensemble.
I have repaired and overhauled a number C melodies. The best one I have run across was a Martin C-melody. They are hard to find in good condition though. Now days with the software available you can simply transpose the solo part of the alto or tenor part of a sax with piano accompaniment solo.
I think you're overlooking a great place for this instrument - accompanying pop / rock bands playing songs written by guitarists. For instance, the band you're in covers Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone. That's a great progression to solo over and you want your turn. The most common rock / pop keys are E, Em, A, Am, G, C and D. Bring your alto to the gig and you're playing in C#, F#, E, A and B. To my fingers these are some challenging keys! The C melody lets me use the simpler fingerings and easier keys.
I had both a C Melody (Tenor) and a C Soprano for a while many years ago, but sold them after a while because there was no real use for them. But now I’m inspired to get a hold of one (in working condition) and start playing it again. Kinda like an Alto Clarinet , which I stilll own and play & enjoy!
You mentioned that C Melodys were pitched a minor third below the Alto sax (in Eb), I think it would be humorous to score it as the 'alto de' more'
I've owned an old Elkhart C tenor for several years and just had it rebuilt. It was pricy but then again, it's over 100 years old. Well, this morning, while at church, I plan to take her along to join in our music group. Think this is the best way to honor this old girl.
I love the C-melody! It is my favorite to play, love the sweet range it has. I have a colllection of vintage c-tenors, 5 conn straight necks and 4 buescher true tones. I love all of the horns for different reasons. For ergonomics, I would choose the later model conn new wonder II "chu-berry" model. I find the keywork conn made, to be quite comfortable for a 1920's era horn, the straight neck helps the playing position. The palm keys on the series II models are nice and high compared to the series I which to me makes a huge difference. Now for the timbre, both brands sound nice, but I have to go with Buescher on this one. Buescher C-mels have a really dark and rich, tenor like sound where the conns sound a little thinner but with a very spread sound . Early Bueschers are a little iffy with intonation, but the late ones which are quite hard to find are excellect playing saxes. The Bueschers made from about 1927 and later have a redesigned body tube which has great intonation and is very free blowing across the whple range of the horn. The laters ones also have the most advanced keywork the Buescher made, however still not as comfortable as the conn instruments. There are a lot of myths about c-melody saxes being poorly made, and sounding like a duck. These horns are made of equal quality to their alto and tenor counterparts for the same brand of saxophone. They also can sound really nice with a good modern c-melody mouthpiece. So that is my opinion based one my experience with the 9 horns in my c-mel collection.
Another great presentation. I hope you produce as many of these instrument features as possible. Not only very informative but more importantly they spark the imagination. I've two Buescher C tenors. Must bump them up on my overhaul list.
I own one from the 1920s by J.W. York and Sons. It's my favourite to busk with. And oh, yes, I got it overhauled. When I buy an instrument, I fully intend to PLAY the thing! Worth every penny.
I have a bit of an obsession with obscure or unusual instruments, so I’m excited to see more videos like this!
Greetings from Ukraine! Wow, I've just realized that such invention as C-melody sax exists ! What a revelation after alto clarinet for me, hehe... And I see that they are quite affordable, unlikely the antique Adolph Sax versions of altos and tenors, where the prices start at 2 grand...
Great show! I got a new Chinese c-tenor similar to yours a few years ago for about $800. It came with a alto m p with a 1.5 mm tip. I’m doing some upgrades on it now and then, ergonomically and tuning wise. It’s becoming a nice sax.
I have a CG Conn C Melody Sax. Fully refurbished and plays
My favorite saxophone, thanks for doing a video on it. More instrument profiles would be great as well
Thank you for your presentation! I, today in fact, just bought a Conn C Melody/Tenor sax. I am just beginning to try to educate myself about this instrument because my Grandfather played in a band in the 20’s and this was his instrument of choice. I actually prefer the alto sax but I intend to try to learn both. Aaaah, retirement! :)
Yes pls do more
Great video! Thanks for sharing the info! Would like to see video profiles of the rest of the sax family.
Recently acquired a Conn C Melody (straight neck/New Wonder I), and I am using the Caravan mouthpiece. Very nice sounds! I am using it in a Moravian church band, on the c soprano part (flutes/oboes) which as written does not go very far above or below the stave (good range for a sax). The c melody blends very nicely into the band's ensemble.
There's a classic photo of Colman Hawkins holding one .
I have repaired and overhauled a number C melodies. The best one I have run across was a Martin C-melody. They are hard to find in good condition though. Now days with the software available you can simply transpose the solo part of the alto or tenor part of a sax with piano accompaniment solo.
Wasn't the C Melody originally a "Parlor Instrument" back in the day? Something for piano and sax duets at a family gathering or old time parties.
I have a Cohn one from 1914