Saxophone for Swing Jazz - Transposition & Melodic Approaches

Saxophone Transposition

Saxophones are transposing instruments - the written note differs from the sounding pitch.

Transposition Chart

Quick Transposition Reference

For Alto Saxophone (Eb)

For Tenor Saxophone (Bb)

Practical Transposition Tips

Alto (Eb): Add 3 sharps (or remove 3 flats) and write a 6th higher

• Concert C major = Alto A major
• Concert G major = Alto E major
• Concert F major = Alto D major

Tenor (Bb): Add 2 sharps (or remove 2 flats) and write a 2nd higher (+ octave)

• Concert C major = Tenor D major
• Concert Bb major = Tenor C major
• Concert F major = Tenor G major

Swing Era Saxophone Styles

Two Primary Approaches

1. Coleman Hawkins Style (Vertical/Harmonic)

• Arpeggiate chord tones
• Strong emphasis on harmony
• Full, warm tone with vibrato
• "Body and Soul" (1939) - landmark recording

2. Lester Young Style (Horizontal/Linear)

• Melodic, flowing lines
• Weaves in and out of chord structure
• Lighter, smoother tone
• Less vibrato, fitted to the passage
• Major influence on Charlie Parker and modern jazz

Melodic Techniques for Swing

Chord Tone Emphasis

Build melodies around:

1. Root - stability
2. 3rd - defines major/minor quality
3. 5th - support
4. 7th - jazz color

Guide Tones

Focus on 3rds and 7ths - they define the chord and create smooth voice leading:

Dm7:    F (3rd) and C (7th)
G7:     B (3rd) and F (7th)
Cmaj7:  E (3rd) and B (7th)

Approach Patterns

Enclosure

Surround target note from above and below:

Target: G
Approach: A - F# - G (above, below, target)

Chromatic Approach

Lead into chord tones chromatically:

Target: E (3rd of Cmaj7)
Approach: D# - E or F - E

Swing Phrasing

1. Swung Eighth Notes: Long-short feel (triplet-based)
2. Start Phrases Off-Beat: Begin on "&" rather than downbeat
3. Use Space: Don't fill every beat
4. Call and Response: Short phrase, pause, answer

Scales for Swing Improvisation

Essential Scales

Blues Scale (Universal Application)

C Blues: C - Eb - F - F#/Gb - G - Bb - C

Use over blues progressions and dominant chords for "bluesy" flavor.

Pentatonic Scales

Major Pentatonic (C): C - D - E - G - A Minor Pentatonic (C): C - Eb - F - G - Bb

Articulation in Swing

Tonguing Patterns

• Doo-Dat, Doo-Dat: Classic swing articulation
• Tongue on beat, slur off-beat
• Soft attack, not harsh

Vibrato

• Wide and warm for ballads (Hawkins style)
• Subtle or none for up-tempo (Young style)
• Add at end of sustained notes

Dynamics

• Crescendo through phrases
• Accent beats 2 and 4 to support swing feel
• Ghost notes: Very soft notes for rhythmic interest

Melodic Ideas for Solos

Lick Vocabulary

Build a vocabulary of short melodic phrases:

1. Major 7th arpeggio: C - E - G - B
2. 1-2-3-5 pattern: C - D - E - G
3. Bebop scale run: C - D - E - F - G - Ab - A - B - C
4. Blues fragment: G - Bb - C - C# - D

Developing Motifs

1. State a simple idea (2-4 notes)
2. Repeat at different pitch level
3. Vary rhythm
4. Expand or contract

Song Transformation Approach

When adapting a non-jazz song:

1. Identify the melody in concert pitch
2. Transpose for your saxophone
3. Simplify if needed - focus on key melodic notes
4. Add swing phrasing - delay notes, add grace notes
5. Embellish with approach notes and passing tones
6. Create fills between phrases using scales/arpeggios

Practice Routine Suggestions

1. Long Tones: 10 minutes - tone quality and breath control
2. Scales: All 12 keys, in swing rhythm
3. Arpeggios: Maj7, m7, dom7 through all keys
4. Transcription: Learn classic swing solos by ear
5. Play-Along: Practice with swing backing tracks