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Saxaphone
The Saxaphone was invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1846 to be a new orchestral instrument. It never
became popular in the orchestra but did become popular in the marching band. It was not used in jazz until after 1920 and
developed into one of its most popular instruments. The saxophone family consists of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.
Clarinet
The Clarinet enjoyed its most popularity in the era of 1900 to 1920 when it was a key part of the
Dixieland band. The played rapid runs in contrast the to the melody in the trumpet. It was replaced by the saxophone in the
1920s, although some band leaders such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman playing the instrument as band leaders
in the 1940s.
Flute
Saxophonists in the jazz band occasionally play flute to create a different timbre. This is called
doubling.
Trumpet and Cornet
The Trumpet and the Cornet play in the same register but with different timbres. In early jazz the
cornet was commonly found but gave way to the more brilliant sound of the trumpet in the 1930s.
Trombone
The Trombone plays in a lower range than the trumpet. It sounds in the tenor range and is sometimes
referred to as the tenor trombone. The trombone was a part of the Dixieland band in Early Jazz, playing the countermelody
against the cornet's lead line (main melody).
Tuba
The Tuba was used as a bass line instrument in the early years of jazz. By the mid 1920s it was replaced
the string bass which was more flexible.
String Bass
The job of the Bass player in a jazz ensemble is to facilitate time. The bass part is usually improvised
with one note played on each beat with occasional embellishment added for variety. The second and fourth beats are emphasized
creating the swing feeling in jazz.
Piano
The role of the Piano in jazz is to provide harmonies and rhythmic support for the soloist. In the
early years of jazz the pianist played a bass line and chords with the left hand and melody with the right hand.
Drums
The Drums are the anchor of the rhythm section playing repetitive, time keeping patterns on the drums
and cymbals.
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