The Quality of Design of the Saxophone - Assignment Example

Assignment4 In my Jazz es, I normally play the saxophone. The saxophone has been a crucial part of my jazz es.Nevertheless, I never considered its exceptional artistic and human-related features that make the instrument unique. Description The saxophone falls in the category of the most exclusive, nifty and flexible woodwind instruments. The saxophone lies in the caliber of woodwind instrument. Thus, many people who have never seen the saxophone perceive it as a wooden instrument (Stewart et al 5). However, the saxophone is a tall instrument (almost one meter long) that is made of brass. Saxophones are a common instrument in the contemporary society. Thus, the instrument can be found in musical classes or other Jazz sessions. The shiny nature of the instrument portrays it as an artistic masterpiece that arouses varied feelings on musical players. The instrument was originally intended for military and classical musical purposes. Owing to the versatility of the instrument, musicians in other genres around the globe are now playing the saxophone. Consequently, musicians in the avant-garde, classical, jazz, and pop and rock are playing the saxophone. The instrument can sound wild and poignant or smooth and stifling (Stewart et al., 5). The instrument can seamlessly blend into any joint, be it jazz big bands or orchestras. Moreover, the saxophone blends into the ensemble rock band solos or jazz quartets. Musicians in the contemporary world are trying to stretch the instruments into accommodating virtually every genre of music. Thus, the saxophone is steadily finding novel purpose in many genres of music. Formal analysis The design features of the saxophone depict an exceptional work of art. The design features appear attractive from the outward look to the inner features that create sound. The saxophone is a wind instrument of the nature of a conical bore. The instrument has a varying that increases from one end to the other (Hippe, 40). Thus, the instrument begins with a single diameter in one end that expands proportionately to the lowermost end of the instrument. By contrast, cylindrical instruments such as the clarinet, maintain uniform diameters in the whole length of the instrument. The varied design features of the saxophone have inner functionalities besides the outward looks. Conical bore instruments characteristically produce mellower and warmer qualities of tone compared to cylindrical instruments. Although saxophones are typically constructed using brass, plastic, gold and silver can also be utilized in the construction (Hippe, 40). The design of the key-work is majorly a combination of metal parts and leather pads. The key work is meticulously arranged over the key holes. The keys (metal buttons) connect to the leather pads. Upon pressing, the key-work covers the strategically located tone holes. When playing the saxophone, the varied key combinations yield diverse sound pitches. In some instances, the key combinations may result in sound effects such as screeching and growling. The sole reed and the mouthpiece of the instrument resemble the ones for cylindrical instruments (Hippe, 40). However, the two features have different angles, thus causing diverse embouchure from the cylindrical instruments. The embouchure refers to the coordination of the muscles and lips while playing instruments to generate sound. The difference between a saxophone and other instruments made of brass, for instance, the trombone or trumpet, is the manner of sound creation. The generation of sound by a saxophone makes its category be a woodwind instrument. The creation of sound in brass instruments is through the vibration of the players lips against the mouthpiece (Stewart et al., 5). Additionally, notes change due to the pressing of valves. On the other hand, woodwind instruments, like the saxophone, utilize a reed for direction air into the instrument. The directed air creates the perceived sound effects while pressing keys in opening and closing key holes results in varying notes. The process of playing the saxophone is simply to learn. The instrument is easy to play since it falls in the category of the recently designed systems of musical instruments. However, the uncomfortable physical nature of the saxophone can be quite intimidating to young people (Stewart et al., 5). The instrument is weighty and requires the utilization of neck straps and the hands of the player to hold it in position. The large width of the instrument makes creates problems when wrapping hands around it. Thus, children or people with small hands are unable to play an instrument. Consequently, people usually start learning the playing of the saxophone at the ages of ten to11 years. For people who can physically manipulate the instrument, playing is comparatively simple. The fingering scheme is easy to comprehend, and production of tone is simpler than in other wind instruments (Bacci & David, 15). However, controlling the intonation of the instrument can be unwieldy. The conical shape inhibits the pitch stability experienced in most cylindrical instruments. Additionally, every saxophone pitch possesses a characteristic timbre. Thus, it is problematic to grasp the intonation pattern. Mastering intonation requires adequate learning and practice. Category of the Visual Arts The saxophone falls in the category of functional arts. Functional arts refer to visual objects that are designed for specific purposes (Simoff et al., 23). The saxophone serves the musical purpose of creation of sound. Moreover, the instrument is industrially designed for its musical purpose. Tactics & Strategies Many people in the world consider the saxophone to be a complicated instrument. Thus, the instrument fails to appeal among common people. Ordinary people regard the saxophone as an instrument for the modernized and the elite in the society. The shiny brass or golden outlook further creates the perception of a multifaceted instrument (Bicchi, 57). The choreography of the varied features of the instrument can be intimidating to novel learners. However, many contemporary societies have increasingly begun to embrace the features of the saxophone. The exceptional sound and a unique visual outlook is increasingly becoming an asset for many societies. The saxophone is increasingly recording success in modern classical music ensembles. Indian musicians utilize the mimicking capability of the instruments in the traditional songs. The Japanese consider the visual parameters as appealing to see (Gates, 60). The Europe music market is increasingly improvising brands by adding novel sounds and colors of the saxophone. In the American movie culture, the saxophone plays soundtracks in movies. The instrument can describe a variety of tales. Image Styles The image styles of the saxophone represent an artistic choreography. From the color to the shape, the instrument appeals to the eyes (Fiske, 56). The key-work is indicative of a constant variation in intonation and creates an impression of a variety. The larger diameter at the lowermost end is representative of amplification of sound. The tapering outlook represents the propagation of sound. The image style is conceptual as people can relate to the effects envisioned by the original maker. The gold or silver color of the saxophone is representative of a precious piece of art. Playing the saxophone just arouses feelings of self-esteem. Exploration of my experience The love for classical and jazz music influences my experiences with the saxophone. The instrument triggers my hearing senses especially when playing it. The perception of the variations of the intonations creates an impression of an artistic masterpiece (Farenga, 40). Whenever I play the saxophone, I feel a deeper and intimate connection with the tranquility of the world. Playing the saxophone is probably a reliever of the stresses of everyday duties. Since I play the saxophone on evening classes, the instrument creates a form of peace and solace. Playing the saxophone requires a complete coordination of all the senses of the body. When playing the saxophone, I involve all the body senses. My hearing senses present the balance of coordinating the intonations as well as maintaining a balanced posture of the instrument (Weiten, 54). My sense of sight enables me to perceive the feelings that the playing sounds induce on the audience. My sense of touch aids in the coordination of key-work to create varied pitches. The sense of touch enables the coordination of the diverse features of the instrument that create sound. The sounds of the saxophone trigger romantic emotions. Most of the classical songs played by the instrument have the theme of romance. The jazz sessions attract people with intimate relationships (Rupprecht, 23). The jazz sessions that play saxophones attract couples who find the places comforting. However, the sounds of the saxophone have been recently featured as theme songs in Indian, European, Japanese, and American movies. The sounds trigger emotions of sorrow and sympathy. Playing the saxophone depends on skills and knowledge of players. In most of my playing sessions, I realized that playing the saxophone is an art as opposed to a hobby (Scoggin, 31). The levels of intelligence I applied determined the sound effects created and the appeal to the audience. Although learning the saxophone is simple, may people fail to master the art. Perhaps the level of naturalistic intelligence matters. My musical intelligence equipped me with the ability to discern tone, rhythm and pitch. The intelligence determines the capability for the creation, reproduction, and reflection on music. When playing the instrument, the quality of the pitch depends on the link between emotions and music. The saxophone is huge and holding it requires a great level of Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence. Thus, players can handle the instruments with physical skills that connect to the mind. The saxophone relates to three needs in the Hierarchy of Maslow. The instrument satisfies the social needs of belonging (Heavner, 34). People playing the instrument are regarded as elite and modernized. The instrument covers the need for self-esteem (status and respect). However, most people play an instrument for self-actualization. The need to explore my creativity, self-achievement and creativity prompts me to play an instrument. The social motives for plays the instrument include the need for affiliation (socialize with people of unique class), need for power (to build a reputation to people), and the need for self-achievement (to be exceptional as a saxophone player). Because of the love for the classical music, I might be inclined to offer biased perceptions regarding the saxophone (Moeslund, 18). Nevertheless, the instrument presents a great asset for intellectual and creative growth. Findings Adolphe Sax, the original maker of the saxophone, made the instruments for intended purposes. Of the two sets made, one was envisioned for the orchestra. The other set was envisioned for military bands (Angeles et al., 44). The French military bands adopted the saxophones, which marked the beginning of a revolution. Until present day, military bands are playing the saxophone. On the other hand, the saxophone has failed to become a crucial facet of the orchestra. The contemporary uses of saxophones include movie soundtracks. The quality of design of the saxophone is unique. The instrument is easy to play compared to cylindrical instruments (Lorentz, 59). The design of the physical outlook and color of the saxophone appeals to the eyes of players and the audience. My fascinating thing about the saxophone is the amount of catalogs that provide guidelines for playing. Many books exist in virtually every musical genre, from jazz to classical sonatas (Powell, 77). I am amazed at the influence of the saxophone in the music world! The saxophone represents classical modernization of the musical world. The saxophone is a channel for self-actualization of my personal self. Works Cited Angeles, Jorge, Benoit Boulet, James J. Clark, József Kövecses, and Kaleem Siddiqi. Brain, Body and Machine: Proceedings of an International Symposium on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Mcgill University Centre for Intelligent Machines. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010. Internet resource. Bacci, Francesca, and David Melcher. Art and the Senses. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Bicchi, Antonio. The Sense of Touch and Its Rendering: Progress in Haptics Research. Berlin: Springer, 2008. Print. Farenga, Stephen J. The Importance of Average: Playing the Game of School to Increase Success and Achievement. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010. Print. Fiske, Susan T. Social Beings: A Core Motives Approach to Social Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley, 2010. Print. Gates, Jamie. Gracefully Design: A Memoir. S.l.: Trafford On Demand Pub, 2014. Print. Heavner, Tracy L. Saxophone Secrets: 60 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Saxophonist. , 2013. Print. Hippe, Zdzisław S. Human-computer Systems Interaction 2: Backgrounds and Applications. Berlin: Springer, 2012. Print. Lorentz, Jonathan. The Improvisational Process of Saxophonist George Garzone with Analysis of Selected Jazz Solos from 1995-1999. , 2008. Print. Moeslund, Thomas B. Visual Analysis of Humans: Looking at People. London: Springer, 2011. Print. Powell, Gavin. Beginning Database Design. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2006. Print. Rupprecht, Philip. Rethinking Britten. Oxford [etc.: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print. Scoggin, Nancy. Barrons Ap Music Theory / Nancy Scoggin ; [music Illustrations and Piano Tracks by Mary Elizabeth/voice of the Phoenix]. Hauppauge, N.Y: Barrons Educational Series, 2010. Print. Simoff, Simeon J, Michael H. Böhlen, and Arturas Mazeika. Visual Data Mining: Theory, Techniques and Tools for Visual Analytics. Berlin: Springer, 2008. Print. Stewart, John, Olivier Gapenne, and Paolo E. A. Di. Enaction: Toward a New Paradigm for Cognitive Science. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 2010. Print. Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: Themes and Variations. Belmont, Calif: Cengage/Wadsworth, 2012. Print. Read More