Saxaphone vs. Trumpet...Which do you prefer?


It’s not the first time I’ve thought about it, but it came up again last night as I was listening to Quintessence volume 2, Stan Getz and Chet Baker recorded live. (an amazing disc) I have to say that for myself, I prefer the saxophone because it seems capable of infinite textures and subtle shadings as well as eye opening dynamic shifts. Of course I love the trumpet too; especially in the hands of a player like Chet Baker.


128x128roxy54
Saxophone for much the same reasons as yourself. It does take someone like a Chet Baker or Louis Armstrong to get a halfway pleasant sound out of a trumpet. All too often trumpets just sound shrill and noisy whereas saxophones just ooze life and sensuality.

Probably also explains why I prefer Coltrane over Davis too. 


It is the sax for me but the trumpet between the right lips can be very satisfying. And agree with @bdp24 , hate the flute.
You can’t rule out one instrument over another. They each have their purpose. Even the Doors could have used a bass player, despite how good Manzarek was on the organ. 
Well the sax is big and heavy and you have to suck on the reed and stuff and if your embouchure isn't perfect it just makes the most hideous sound like a whipped dog or something. Plus there's a whole slew of things to keep cleaned and lubed. Trumpet on the other hand is small and just the three slides to take care of, but talk about embouchure, can't hardly get anything out of it at all less you get your lips nice and tight. At least with the sax if you blow right its gonna play. Trumpet you're just not getting squat no way without the right embouchure.

So played both, dunno, guess that's why I prefer harmonica.