Jazz for unaccompanied instruments (not piano or guitar)

Started by XB-70 Valkyrie, July 10, 2019, 08:01:29 PM

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XB-70 Valkyrie

I am fascinated by music for unaccompanied instruments, especially winds, and various strings. It is not at all uncommon for piano/harpsichord and guitar obviously, but what about compositions for unaccompanied saxophone? trumpet? bass? I really dig Branford Marsalis' album (yeah, I'm calling them albums these days!) In my Solitude recorded at Grace Cathedral in the greatest city in the world, San Francisco (and I say this after two weeks in Paris, which I loved!  :P ) There is even one track where he mimics the sounds of the shakuhachi, one of my favorite instruments. Really sends chills up and down my spine!

Anthony Braxton had at least one composition on his album For Alto. What other examples are there?



If you really dislike Bach you keep quiet about it! - Andras Schiff

Karl Henning

Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

XB-70 Valkyrie

BRAVO, well done sir! You need to provide us with an encore!  :laugh:

I don't recognize the tune, but it is very nice and you have a very beautiful tone. Who is the maker of that instrument?

I played the clarinet (and later the alto sax) in high school, and few people realize how difficult the instrument is in terms of consistently generating a good tone, especially in the higher registers. It certainly requires a lot of technique and dedication.

I have always thought the Bach partita for unaccompanied flute would work well on other wind instruments, especially the clarinet.



If you really dislike Bach you keep quiet about it! - Andras Schiff

Karl Henning

Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot