Music

The saxophone and its role in other genres such as rock and metal

It is popularly thought that one of the most extreme things is rock and metal music, due to the dizzying speed at which they perform their songs and the intense and sharp lyrics. However, not all rock and metal bands dare to incorporate the saxophone into their songs.

Jazz is one of the musical genres that have most influenced the world of music today, merging and integrating with other genres perfectly, resulting in new and experimental rhythms, which is why many say how agile it is thanks to the effect produced by the sound of the saxophone.

This is why approximately two centuries after the death of the inventor of the saxophone, Adolph Sax, we still continue to see how the saxophone breaks any mold and integrates perfectly with any genre, so there is no current musical style that has been resist integrating the melodies and rhythms produced by a saxophone in his songs, including rock and metal, genres so powerful that it could make some doubt about such a musical fusion.

The invention of the saxophone

The inventor of the saxophone was the Belgian Adolph Sax in his father’s music workshop, where he sought to invent a unique and new musical instrument, which was very versatile and manageable, based on existing instruments such as the flute and the clarinet. After debuting his instrument, his idea became part of any group, merging with all existing styles and rhythms, giving rise to new musical genres and subgenres. Shortly after, each group began to have a fixed space for a saxophonist in their group.

Although hearing the sound of a saxophone in a metal song is a bit strange to see, there is a great selection of songs that are classics that integrate the saxophone into their set of musical instruments. Many researchers point out that the first successful symbiosis of the saxophone with the rock and roll genre was made in 1966 with the song “Got to get you into my life” from the Beatles’ album revolver. This was perhaps the first time that a saxophone was used with a trumpet by a Rock and Pop band. Shortly after, with the song “Yellow Submarine”, these instruments could be heard at times.

The saxophone in rock and metal

The saxophone is one of the most versatile musical instruments on the market, which manages to illuminate and fill any environment with life, lifting the spirits of those present. In addition, it is an ideal instrument to accompany any song, which is why many professional musicians learn to play it. The saxophone has the peculiarity that it is the only instrument that can sound sweet and strong at the same time.

By the end of the 1960s, other bands came to light that, perhaps inspired by the Beatles, began to use wind instruments such as the saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Among the most famous rock groups that stood out at this time were Sweet & Tears, Blood and Chicago, who used the three aforementioned wind instruments on their first album entitled Chicago Transit Authority.

In the seventies, the artist known as The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, released his first LP record in 1973, called ¨Greeting from Asbury Park, NJ¨ in which Clarence Clemons, a saxophonist who will play with Bruce, is revealed. during a 30-year career. In addition, in 1973 some songs were released such as money, Shine on you crazy diamond, among others, in which the saxophone participated at full throttle with the help of the legendary progressive rock group, Pink Floyd.

By the 90’s the saxophone would have already walked through all the musical genres we know, doing an excellent job in those songs where its sound has been a participant. With enough experience in the world of rock, we have to remember the North American group, Morphine.

This band stood out for having a sax and rhythm section only, showing the public that, although rock and roll does not need that instrument to interpret its songs, the use of a saxophone in this genre can undoubtedly raise the effect of the song, raising the power of suggestion and the degree of intensity and passion.

Some rock songs that include the saxophone

The following songs are proof that the saxophone can be a great success as an instrument in a rock or metal song. Among the most recognized is Ceremony Ek Stasis, a 16-minute song by the post-metal group from Illinois, Minsk.

On the other hand, there is the musical band Napalm Death, with its member John Zorn, for whom progressive and completely heavy music is no stranger. For this occasion, Zorn used a saxophone, demonstrating on the track Everyday Pox, how great musical compositions sound in the company of a saxophone.

The Rivers of Nihil group stands out for being the only death metal band that incorporates the sound of the saxophone in all its songs and not just in one song as most have done. What is most striking about the album ¨Where Owls Know My Name¨ is the amazing combination of death metal together with a dark jazz atmosphere, which is nuanced thanks to the band’s saxophonist, Zach Struse.

Lastly, who doesn’t know Black Sabbath? After six albums of pure rock metal gold, Ozzy Osbourne can do practically anything with this band, so they have the luxury of experimenting with new sounds, bringing out the theme Breakout, which is a perfect theme for a movie of ’70s sleuths, where Tommy Iommi’s guitar riffs end with a jaw-dropping saxophone solo.

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