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
There's only 2 types of music; good & bad.
There's only 2 types of musicians; good & bad.

Sounds like there's a few of you that's never heard a good trumpet or flute player.  2 instruments that are truly capable of infinite sensitivity and beauty.  I would never handcuff my love of music with a blanket statement stating I hate an INSTRUMENT!  Talk about waste, you're effectively blocking out a virtual universe of music!

poorly played sax = camel in protracted labor


Gotta love all the tenor players who worked with the Duke over the years.

Hi Roxy54,
You posted a very fun question for a committed jazz fan such as myself.
As has been stated above both are tremendous in the hands of a talented musician. In the spirit of this thread where a preference is requested I’ll go with the magnificent trumpet.

Simply sublime with Bop, ballads,blues, modal etc. Upper register pyrotechnics or mid/lower register sensual introspective from the soul playing. Just think, Miles, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Chet, Art Farmer, Wynton, Kenny Dorham,Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove and on and on😊😊. Trumpet and Fugelhorn = sheer beauty.
Charles