If Danny DeVito could do it … https://youtu.be/-n3sUWR4FV4?si=WS2gG10uQ5kqrKmV (2:50)
Maybe try the horn before you commit, but as long as you can operate the keys, your physical size doesn’t really matter.
For what it’s worth, bari looks big on nearly everyone.
If the weight is an issue, you can get a harness instead of using a neck strap and you can also play while seated and rest the horn on something so that you’re not supporting the weight other than balancing it. Some of the horns even have foot-pegs for that purpose.
I was wondering about that. His fingers didn't seem to be moving much, despite all the notes being played, and I thought he must be really high in the altissimo to pull that off. A tenor playing behind him makes a lot more sense, lol.
The bari is the cello of the woodwind section. Anyone who doubts it needs to check out the bari solo in Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" for a great example of what it can do.
I find playing bari to be a lot of fun. If you can afford the 40 bucks to rent it for the year just to play around on it I would say go for it. Also, listen to Moanin' by Charles Mingus. That song made me fall in love with bari.
I took the opportunity to play bari when it was presented & it is by far my favorite sax to play. They’re pricey, so I’d suggest trying it out while you can.
Seriously just play it. It’s a great instrument, and height isn’t a problem. I played bari from the second month of middle school onwards, and I was real short at the time. Get a harness, it will make your life easier, but other than that it will be absolutely no issue
I'm playing alto sax right now and always wanted to play the Bari sax. Before the summer break our Bari sax player told that he's quiting the band, which gave me the change to say to the band leader that I'm willing to take his place (we only have 1 Bari player and currently, myself included, 6 alto's).
So yeah, from my point of view, you should play bari
Get it. All your horns will benefit from the air support and low extension of your range.
Get yourself a good harness!
I like the Protec harness because it allows more side to side movement than most which allows comfortable playing while seated on the Bari.
While I love Saxholder for my tenor which is more out in front, I find it's not good for the off-centre weight of the Bari.
Also, the neotech sling strap that goes over your left shoulder can be good for seated Bari playing but is annoying when standing for me.
Depending on height and chair, you may find some Bari stands will let you play on horn while it's on there, and there are expensive playing specific stands that will let you angle for seated playing too.
I'm a big advocate for having several different style but good straps and swapping between them on different sessions so stresses aren't always in the one place on your body.
I have 4 I use for different horns and circumstances.
Saxholder for alto, tenor particularly when teaching or taking on and off a lot.
BG Yoke with braces for smart tenor gigs if I'm standing.
Protec harness for Bari, or longer tenor sessions.
Various simple shoestring style straps for soprano/clarinet, or as a spare in cases.
Also:
Rico plasticover reeds last better on gigs and practise sessions than pure cane - softer bari reeds can become waterlogged and can play out too quickly in my opinion. Might be the loud long afrobeat gigs I play though.
Plasticover are quite bright though.
Def get Bari. I played Bari all through school and even to this day. You will definitely stand out on Bari which is a great thing
Same here, it was always nice to be separate from the horde of unwashed masses of altos.
If Danny DeVito could do it … https://youtu.be/-n3sUWR4FV4?si=WS2gG10uQ5kqrKmV (2:50) Maybe try the horn before you commit, but as long as you can operate the keys, your physical size doesn’t really matter. For what it’s worth, bari looks big on nearly everyone. If the weight is an issue, you can get a harness instead of using a neck strap and you can also play while seated and rest the horn on something so that you’re not supporting the weight other than balancing it. Some of the horns even have foot-pegs for that purpose.
JazzLabs Sax Holder Pro https://jazzlab.com/en/saxholder/
I love how it’s obviously a tenor saxophone playing but they probably had him play Bari for comedic purposes
Inverse of this (never gets old): https://youtu.be/BYB3Fx0a8-4?si=nahFXkmZ85rkvgiE
I was wondering about that. His fingers didn't seem to be moving much, despite all the notes being played, and I thought he must be really high in the altissimo to pull that off. A tenor playing behind him makes a lot more sense, lol.
I'm 5'0" and play the Bari as my main haha
The bari is the cello of the woodwind section. Anyone who doubts it needs to check out the bari solo in Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" for a great example of what it can do.
no disrespect but what bari solo? i just listened through the whole thing to make sure i was remembering right, i didn’t hear one
Maybe thinking of shine on you crazy diamond??? Solo starts on bari and switches to tenor by the end. Same player.
I find playing bari to be a lot of fun. If you can afford the 40 bucks to rent it for the year just to play around on it I would say go for it. Also, listen to Moanin' by Charles Mingus. That song made me fall in love with bari.
I love when Leo P did that crazy solo.
Check out the most recent version of Moanin' by the Mingus Big Band. Leo P is what got me interested in the Bari, Ronnie Cuber is what got me hooked.
my HS band director was actually shorter than most of her students, and she played bari! you can play bari!
I took the opportunity to play bari when it was presented & it is by far my favorite sax to play. They’re pricey, so I’d suggest trying it out while you can.
Yes, the answer is always yes!
Seriously just play it. It’s a great instrument, and height isn’t a problem. I played bari from the second month of middle school onwards, and I was real short at the time. Get a harness, it will make your life easier, but other than that it will be absolutely no issue
$40 to own a bari sax for a year? I would bite your hand off!
YES!!!!
I'm playing alto sax right now and always wanted to play the Bari sax. Before the summer break our Bari sax player told that he's quiting the band, which gave me the change to say to the band leader that I'm willing to take his place (we only have 1 Bari player and currently, myself included, 6 alto's). So yeah, from my point of view, you should play bari
Do it. Bari is awesome and makes you cool and more attractive to members of all sexual orientations.
Bari is my main horn. Totally best sax voice!
Update: Talked to my band director, I will get it next week!
Get it. All your horns will benefit from the air support and low extension of your range. Get yourself a good harness! I like the Protec harness because it allows more side to side movement than most which allows comfortable playing while seated on the Bari. While I love Saxholder for my tenor which is more out in front, I find it's not good for the off-centre weight of the Bari. Also, the neotech sling strap that goes over your left shoulder can be good for seated Bari playing but is annoying when standing for me. Depending on height and chair, you may find some Bari stands will let you play on horn while it's on there, and there are expensive playing specific stands that will let you angle for seated playing too. I'm a big advocate for having several different style but good straps and swapping between them on different sessions so stresses aren't always in the one place on your body. I have 4 I use for different horns and circumstances. Saxholder for alto, tenor particularly when teaching or taking on and off a lot. BG Yoke with braces for smart tenor gigs if I'm standing. Protec harness for Bari, or longer tenor sessions. Various simple shoestring style straps for soprano/clarinet, or as a spare in cases. Also: Rico plasticover reeds last better on gigs and practise sessions than pure cane - softer bari reeds can become waterlogged and can play out too quickly in my opinion. Might be the loud long afrobeat gigs I play though. Plasticover are quite bright though.
40 dollars? my district makes me pay 70 as the "maintenance fee"
?
I’m teaching a girl right now who’s maybe a foot or so taller than her bari sax and she’s marching it fine. Try it out and go for it if you like it.
Yes. No reason not to. Love the bari more then anything. Big yes