DocuSign Envelope ID: 4E7DE825-BE46-4CD2-8CFA-4D97B3CE4FC3 The Bass Saxophone: A Historical Account and Performer's Guide by Lucas_____________________________________ Hopkins _____________________________________B.M., University of Minnesota _____________________________________M.M., Northwestern University A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of _____________________________________Doctor of Musical Arts _________2021 The Bass Saxophone: A Historical Account and Performer's Guide __________________________________________ Thesis title Lucas__________________________________________ Hopkins Written by For a _________________Doctorate Degree in _____________________________Saxophone Performance Tom_________________________________ Myer _________________________________ 5/20/2021______________ Main Advisor Signature Date Keith_________________________________ J Waters _________________________________ 5/24/2021______________ 2nd Advisor Signature Date Daniel____________________ Silver _____________ _________________________________ ______________5/24/2021 3rd Advisor Signature Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. DocuSign Envelope ID: 4E7DE825-BE46-4CD2-8CFA-4D97B3CE4FC3 Abstract Lucas_______________________________________________________ Hopkins Name & Title The Bass Saxophone: A Historical Account and Performer's Guide __________________________________________ Thesis title Tom_______________________________________________________ Myer A Directing Professor & Title Around 1840, Adolphe Sax created the saxophone with the original intention of bridging the tonal disparities between the different sections of the orchestra. Although an entire family of saxophones would come into existence shortly after its invention, the bass saxophone was the first saxophone that Adolphe Sax created. At the time, the bass instruments of the orchestra often lacked power or had a harsh sonority as mentioned in the saxophone patent, and Sax likely envisioned the bass saxophone as solving these issues. The bass saxophone has a rich history, from early descriptions of the instrument and its uses in military bands and orchestral compositions, to its significant use in the jazz music of the 1920s-1930s. Additionally, the instrument has seen continuously increasing use as a contemporary solo instrument. This document is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource about the bass saxophone through discussing the extensive history of the instrument and as a tool to aid performers interested in performing on the bass saxophone. Various uses of the bass saxophone throughout time are examined: from its invention, to its use in jazz music, the wind ensemble, as a solo instrument, and more. In terms of playing the bass saxophone, few resources exist and the Performer’s Guide section is intended to aid anyone interested in playing this instrument. Included are discussions on equipment, suggestions and tips for playing the instrument, altissimo fingering charts, and extensive repertoire lists. THE BASS SAXOPHONE: A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE by LUCAS HOPKINS B.M., University of Minnesota, 2012 M.M., Northwestern University, 2014 S.M., University of Michigan, 2016 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts – Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy College of Music 2021 ii ABSTRACT The Bass Saxophone: A Historical Account and Performers Guide Lucas Hopkins Around 1840, Adolphe Sax created the saxophone with the original intention of bridging the tonal disparities between the different sections of the orchestra. Although an entire family of saxophones would come into existence shortly after its invention, the bass saxophone was the first saxophone that Adolphe Sax created. At the time, the bass instruments of the orchestra often lacked power or had a harsh sonority, as mentioned in the saxophone patent, and Sax likely envisioned the bass saxophone as solving these issues. The bass saxophone has a rich history, from early descriptions of the instrument and its uses in military bands and orchestral compositions to its significant use in the jazz music of the 1920s-1930s. Additionally, the instrument has seen continuously increasing use as a contemporary solo instrument. This document is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource about the bass saxophone by discussing the instrument's extensive history and as acting as a tool to aid performers interested in performing on the bass saxophone. Various uses of the bass saxophone throughout time are examined: from its invention, to its use in jazz music, the wind ensemble, as a solo instrument, and more. In terms of playing the bass saxophone, few resources exist, and the Performer’s Guide section is intended to aid anyone interested in playing this instrument. Included are discussions on equipment, suggestions and tips for playing the instrument, altissimo fingering charts, and extensive repertoire lists. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As I think back on what brought me to where I am today, finishing a doctoral degree and writing a major document on the bass saxophone, I realize that many opportunities, life choices, and supportive individuals have helped make this possible. I probably would not be playing the bass saxophone or writing this document if it were not for my former teacher, Timothy McAllister. During my Master’s degree at Northwestern, Dr. McAllister assigned me to play bass on a piece in the wind ensemble in the spring of 2014. Shortly after this, he decided to make the move to the University of Michigan, where I would follow to continue studying with him for a Specialist degree. It was at this time that Dr. McAllister recommended me to join the Michigan-based Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet as their new bass saxophonist. If not for this, I likely would not be in this group, nor would I have begun my journey with the bass saxophone. With this, I would like to thank the past and present members of the Moanin’ Frogs, especially founding members Eddie Goodman and Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, for accepting me into their group. Additionally, with the support and financial sacrifice by the members of the Moanin’ Frogs, we were able to save and fundraise enough money to purchase a bass saxophone for the group, which in turn, I have been able to use for many personal projects unrelated to the group. Playing in the Moanin’ Frogs has been the joy of a lifetime and has spring-boarded my fascination with the bass saxophone. I would also like to thank Tom Myer, my major professor at the University of Colorado, for all of his support, wisdom, and opportunities provided to me, as well as all of my committee members for being so supportive, especially Keith Waters for help with revisions to this document. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for all of their support. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. iii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1: THE INVENTION AND EARLY USES OF THE BASS SAXOPHONE .............1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 EARLY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SAXOPHONE .............................................................................................. 1 WHY THE BASS? ............................................................................................................................. 13 EARLY USES OF THE BASS SAXOPHONE ................................................................................................ 15 THE BASS SAXOPHONE IN MILITARY BANDS .......................................................................................... 22 CONCLUDING REMARKS ................................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 2: THE BASS SAXOPHONE IN JAZZ AND POPULAR MUSIC ..........................27 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 27 THE SIX BROWN BROTHERS .............................................................................................................. 27 THE BASS SAXOPHONE IN DANCE BANDS ............................................................................................. 28 ADRIAN ROLLINI ............................................................................................................................. 29 ROLLINI’S INFLUENCES ..................................................................................................................... 42 SPENCER CLARK .............................................................................................................................. 43 SIGNIFICANT PERFORMERS ...............................................................................................................