Saxophobia: How to Play Rudy Wiedoeft's Saxophone Classic with a Free PDF
Saxophobia: The Ultimate Guide to Rudy Wiedoeft's Masterpiece
If you are a saxophone lover, you have probably heard of saxophobia. It is one of the most famous and influential saxophone compositions of all time, written by the legendary Rudy Wiedoeft in 1919. But what exactly is saxophobia, and why is it so important for saxophonists? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about saxophobia, from its history and structure to its legacy and influence. You will also discover how to get a free PDF copy of saxophobia, so you can enjoy this masterpiece yourself.
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The History of Saxophobia
Saxophobia was composed and performed by Rudy Wiedoeft in 1919, during the height of his career as a virtuoso saxophonist. Wiedoeft was born in Detroit in 1893, and started playing the violin at a young age. He later switched to the clarinet, and then to the saxophone, which was still a relatively new and obscure instrument at the time. He moved to New York in 1916, where he quickly became a sensation in the vaudeville circuit, playing solo or with his own band. He also recorded over 300 records for various labels, making him one of the most prolific and popular recording artists of his era.
Wiedoeft was inspired to write saxophobia by his fascination with phobias, or irrational fears. He wanted to create a piece that would showcase the versatility and expressiveness of the saxophone, as well as his own virtuosic skills. He also wanted to challenge the common misconception that the saxophone was only suitable for jazz or military music, by demonstrating its classical potential. Saxophobia was an instant hit with audiences and critics alike, who praised its originality, humor, and brilliance. It became Wiedoeft's signature piece, and he performed it countless times throughout his career.
Saxophobia also changed the perception and popularity of the saxophone in America and beyond. It introduced many people to the sound and possibilities of the instrument, and inspired many aspiring musicians to take up the saxophone. It also influenced other composers and saxophonists, who followed Wiedoeft's example and created their own works for the saxophone. Saxophobia is widely regarded as one of the most important saxophone compositions of the 20th century, and a milestone in the history of the instrument.
How to get a free PDF copy of saxophobia?
If you are interested in playing or studying saxophobia, you might be wondering where to find a copy of the sheet music. Fortunately, you can get a free PDF copy of saxophobia from this website: https://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=1360. This is a public domain version of the original edition, published by Leo Feist in 1919. You can download it and print it out, or view it on your device. You can also listen to a MIDI version of the piece on the same website, or watch a video of Wiedoeft himself playing saxophobia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwZwZwZwZw.
The Structure and Style of Saxophobia
Saxophobia is a solo piece for alto saxophone and piano accompaniment. It is written in the key of F major, and has a tempo of 120 beats per minute. It is divided into four main sections, each with its own theme and character:
The first section (measures 1-16) introduces the main theme, which is a catchy and playful melody that uses syncopation, glissando, and chromaticism. The theme is repeated twice, with slight variations.
The second section (measures 17-32) presents a contrasting theme, which is more lyrical and expressive. It uses long notes, vibrato, and slurs. The theme is also repeated twice, with slight variations.
The third section (measures 33-48) returns to the main theme, but with a twist. It modulates to the key of B flat major, and uses multiphonics, or playing more than one note at a time. This creates a dissonant and humorous effect, as if the saxophonist is suffering from saxophobia.
The fourth section (measures 49-64) concludes the piece with a recapitulation of the main theme in the original key, followed by a coda that uses rapid scales, arpeggios, and trills to end with a flourish.
Saxophobia is a piece that showcases the technical and musical abilities of the saxophonist. It requires a high level of proficiency in fingering, articulation, intonation, dynamics, and expression. It also requires a good sense of rhythm, timing, and phrasing. Some of the challenges and tips for playing saxophobia are:
Syncopation: This is when the accent falls on an unexpected or weak beat, creating a rhythmic tension. To play syncopation well, you need to practice with a metronome or a backing track, and pay attention to the notation and markings.
Glissando: This is when you slide from one note to another smoothly, without stopping on any intermediate notes. To play glissando well, you need to use your embouchure (mouth position) and air pressure to control the pitch, and your fingers to slide quickly between the keys.
Vibrato: This is when you vary the pitch slightly around a note to create a warm and expressive sound. To play vibrato well, you need to use your diaphragm (breathing muscle) and throat to modulate the air flow, and your embouchure to adjust the tension.
Multiphonics: This is when you play more than one note at a time by using special fingerings or overblowing. To play multiphonics well, you need to experiment with different combinations of keys and air pressure, and listen carefully to the resulting sound.
The Legacy and Influence of Saxophobia
Saxophobia is not only a masterpiece in itself, but also a source of inspiration for other composers and saxophonists. Some of the ways that saxophobia influenced the saxophone world are:
The Legacy and Influence of Saxophobia
Saxophobia is not only a masterpiece in itself, but also a source of inspiration for other composers and saxophonists. Some of the ways that saxophobia influenced the saxophone world are:
It inspired other composers to write for the saxophone, such as Ferde Grofé (Saxophone Concerto), Paul Creston (Sonata for Alto Saxophone), Darius Milhaud (Scaramouche), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Fantasia), Leonard Bernstein (Prelude Fugue and Riffs), and John Williams (Escapades).
It influenced other saxophonists to develop their own style and repertoire, such as Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, and David Sanborn.
It popularized the saxophone as a solo instrument in various genres and contexts, such as classical, jazz, pop, rock, film, and TV.
Saxophobia is still widely performed and recorded today by many saxophonists around the world. It is also a common piece for saxophone competitions and auditions. It is considered a classic and a must-know for any serious saxophonist.
How can you learn and practice saxophobia today?
If you want to learn and practice saxophobia today, you have many resources and options available. Here are some of them:
You can download the free PDF copy of saxophobia from this website: https://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=1360. You can also find other versions and arrangements of saxophobia online or in music stores.
You can listen to the original recording of saxophobia by Rudy Wiedoeft on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwZwZwZwZw. You can also listen to other recordings and interpretations of saxophobia by different saxophonists on various platforms.
You can watch video tutorials and lessons on how to play saxophobia on YouTube or other websites. You can also find tips and advice from professional saxophonists on how to master saxophobia.
You can practice saxophobia with a metronome or a backing track to improve your rhythm and timing. You can also practice with a tuner or a drone to improve your intonation and pitch.
You can join a saxophone community or forum online or offline, where you can share your progress and feedback with other saxophonists. You can also find a teacher or a mentor who can guide you and help you improve your skills.
Conclusion
Saxophobia is a masterpiece that every saxophonist should know and appreciate. It is a piece that showcases the beauty and potential of the saxophone, as well as the genius and talent of Rudy Wiedoeft. It is a piece that has a rich history and a lasting influence on the saxophone world. It is also a piece that is fun and challenging to play and learn.
If you are interested in playing or studying saxophobia, you can get a free PDF copy of it from this website: https://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=1360. You can also find many other resources and options to help you learn and practice saxophobia. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, you will surely enjoy and benefit from playing this masterpiece.
So what are you waiting for? Download your free copy of saxophobia today, and start playing this amazing piece. You will be amazed by what you can do with your saxophone!
FAQs
What is the meaning of saxophobia?
Saxophobia is a word that combines "saxophone" and "phobia", meaning an irrational fear of the saxophone. It is also the title of a famous saxophone composition by Rudy Wiedoeft, written in 1919.
Who was Rudy Wiedoeft?
Rudy Wiedoeft was a virtuoso saxophonist and composer, who lived from 1893 to 1940. He was one of the pioneers and innovators of the saxophone, and one of the most popular and influential saxophonists of his time. He composed and performed over 300 pieces for the saxophone, including his signature piece, saxophobia.
How long is saxophobia?
Saxophobia is a solo piece for alto saxophone and piano accompaniment. It is written in the key of F major, and has a tempo of 120 beats per minute. It is divided into four main sections, each with its own theme and character. The total duration of saxophobia is about 3 minutes.
What level of difficulty is saxophobia?
Saxophobia is a piece that showcases the technical and musical abilities of the saxophonist. It requires a high level of proficiency in fingering, articulation, intonation, dynamics, and expression. It also requires a good sense of rhythm, timing, and phrasing. Some of the techniques that are used in saxophobia are syncopation, glissando, vibrato, and multiphonics. Saxophobia is considered a difficult piece for intermediate to advanced players.
Where can I find more information about Rudy Wiedoeft and his music?
If you want to find more information about Rudy Wiedoeft and his music, you can visit these websites:
https://www.rudywiedoeft.com/: This is the official website of Rudy Wiedoeft, where you can find his biography, discography, sheet music, photos, videos, and more.
https://www.saxophone.org/museum/biographies/bio/id/138: This is a biography of Rudy Wiedoeft by the Saxophone Museum, where you can learn more about his life and career.
https://www.saxontheweb.net/threads/rudy-wiedoeft.372/: This is a forum thread on Sax on the Web, where you can find discussions and opinions about Rudy Wiedoeft and his music.
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