Claude T. Smith - Fantasia for Alto Saxophone || James Barger, Saxophone

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  • čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
  • Live performance of Claude T. Smith's "Fantasia for Alto Saxophone" by saxophonist, James Barger with the West Texas A&M University Symphonic Band. The performance took place on February 9, 2012 as a part of the Texas Music Educator's Association Convention. The West Texas A&M University Symphonic Band is under the direction of Don Lefevre.
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Komentáře • 297

  • @Orionbae
    @Orionbae Před 17 dny +5

    When I was in Middle school my saxophone line had the privilege of learning from him a few times before competitions, He’s a great teacher.

    • @jbargermusic
      @jbargermusic  Před 17 dny +2

      Thanks so much for the kind words - I'm glad I was able to work with you and help out!

  • @Saxologic
    @Saxologic Před 10 lety +275

    5:09 was really moving.. especially when he bent the altissimo note.. got goosebumps.

    • @bluejay7058
      @bluejay7058 Před 7 lety +9

      No one seems to notice how it took him a whole beat to realize he should've bent XD, but no really it did sound amazing!

    • @anaisroy5963
      @anaisroy5963 Před 5 lety

      Do you traduit in french for me plaes lol ym speak french

    • @sukhmanb5939
      @sukhmanb5939 Před 5 lety +1

      @@bluejay7058 i dont mean any offense but the bend is written into the music (yes ik ur comment is a year old but that doesnt excuse ignorance) you can find the arrangement here czcams.com/video/nNAanKk8EMU/video.html

    • @sukhmanb5939
      @sukhmanb5939 Před 5 lety

      @Gekuyume i completely agree as i stated on my previous post lol (if u think i was bashing the main commenter u should check who i @'ed in my post)

    • @EmanSax03
      @EmanSax03 Před 5 lety

      We meet again

  • @tonylort
    @tonylort Před 5 lety +127

    You have inspired my 16 yr old son to try this at a recital in a few weeks. He's been practicing for ages now along with a Glazunov piece. I don't think I have ever seen him practice his sax or his oboe as hard as he has for this. He's getting pretty good at it too. Thank you for inspiring my young musician.

    • @uprise2229
      @uprise2229 Před rokem +7

      What does he do now 4 year later

  • @samh_06
    @samh_06 Před rokem +20

    i feel like i came full circle with this piece. when i was 13 i listened to this recording and i fell in love with this piece, and now 4 years later i’m playing it for my senior year recital in 2024

    • @adude3929
      @adude3929 Před rokem

      I WANT THE SAME MOTIVATION AS YOU GOT, LIKE HOW YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF PRACTICING

    • @samh_06
      @samh_06 Před 10 měsíci

      ⁠@@adude3929oh trust me i get really tired sometimes😭it’s nearly impossible to never get tired of practicing. but if you stick with a consistent schedule you’ll be ok

  • @thelowlybard
    @thelowlybard Před 7 lety +255

    HOW DOES HE PLAY SO CLEANLY MY LOWER REGISTER SOUNDS LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER

  • @dxddydas
    @dxddydas Před 6 lety +63

    It's currently 1 AM and I am back watching this video for the 1000th time. I'm not upset about it either.

  • @aadarshbalireddy2939
    @aadarshbalireddy2939 Před 5 lety +29

    Awesome! On an unrelated note, the performer's mom, Mrs. Barger, was actually actually my freshman geometry teacher in high school. Small world!

  • @Fecannon
    @Fecannon Před 5 lety +25

    This is what motivates me to become a better saxophonist. So I can play like this one day 😩❤️

    • @jbargermusic
      @jbargermusic  Před 5 lety +6

      Thank you Felicia - keep working hard and you will!

  • @50JJRodriguez
    @50JJRodriguez Před 2 měsíci +1

    Absolutely wonderful.

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 10 lety +183

    @Kezia Lovick-Jones Thank you so much! I'm playing on a Selmer Super Action 80 Series II. The fingering I used for the altissimo E is octave key, RH first finger, RH third finger, RH Eb key (OK, 4, 6, Eb). As far as getting the note to speak, I spend a lot of time working on overtones - I highly recommend Don Sinta's book "Voicing" for more information and a clear approach to practicing this. I was circular breathing at times. To have a consistent circular breathing technique, you have to practice it everyday. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time working on just the neck of the saxophone to perfect the technique before trying to incorporate finger technique as well. Then, simple two-note, five-note, and scale patterns are good ways to practice breathing while you are moving your fingers. I almost always take a circular breath while my fingers are moving to help hide the bumps in the sound. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me on my page. Best of luck!

    • @Jaybird9x
      @Jaybird9x Před 8 lety +1

      +James Berger why did you not raise your stand? you looked all crunched up. I think you would have gotten much more quality sound and would help your air control

    • @oscareat8
      @oscareat8 Před 8 lety +7

      Jaybird IB Soloist lower there stand so they can project more and allow the audience to see him.

    • @Jaybird9x
      @Jaybird9x Před 8 lety +1

      oscar wei I know that but why would he risk losing his air stream instead of lifting the stand and moving it to the side a little bit

    • @oscareat8
      @oscareat8 Před 8 lety +5

      Try it... not a noticeable difference...

    • @SaxVentures
      @SaxVentures Před 4 lety +1

      @today is not yesterday Completely agree! Classical Sax is so underrated, but I think things are beginning to change... slowly!

  • @altotenor
    @altotenor Před rokem +2

    Been playing saxophone for 13 years now and I make it a point to come back and watch this recording every few months. Absolute masterclass. Great playing, James!

  • @fefewang1
    @fefewang1 Před 11 lety +7

    That altissimo E gave me the goosebumps. Bravo!

  • @aschlegel
    @aschlegel Před 4 lety +6

    This has very quickly become one of my favorite pieces ever made, thank you, James

  • @bambino100011
    @bambino100011 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Bravo to the soloist :) Horns sounded phenomenal in this band.

  • @jacobmares878
    @jacobmares878 Před 7 lety +30

    Thank you for existing, James, this was an amazing performance.

  • @charlesherman286
    @charlesherman286 Před 2 lety +3

    This shouldn’t be on the internet, it’s giving people wrong assumptions on how easy this is. This is the kind of thing that makes kids want to play saxophone and spend countless hours on something they THOUGHT was easy. Wrong. Saxophone is hard, and this piece is harder. Congratulations on this piece it’s too beautifully amazing 😡 🤩

  • @-sweatersister5495
    @-sweatersister5495 Před rokem +13

    What a lovely piece! My son played this four years ago in a regional competition and won. He was not happy because it sounded not as good as you hoped since the reed was dry. I started listening to this again because he is going to play it again at the festival and the high school band will accompany him. He is very excited and practices very hard. I wish him well! Thanks for the great performance!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 12 lety +15

    Thank you for watching the performance again!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 12 lety +9

    Thanks! The altissimo E's (especially the exposed one in the cadenza) were the source of much stress leading up to the performance, haha. I am glad that it spoke the way that it did here!

  • @PhillipSamuel_fsamuel011
    @PhillipSamuel_fsamuel011 Před 8 lety +6

    I had the honor to watch an ensemble in Manitoba perform this exact piece a few weeks ago. Stunning. The sax solo was just phenomenal. This is pro music.

  • @BlackHawk86580
    @BlackHawk86580 Před 7 lety +67

    5:31 THAT DIP IN THE G IS PORN TO MY EARS

  • @TheVolcom2310
    @TheVolcom2310 Před 10 lety +24

    The slow section was so moving and beautiful! You're a really talented saxophonist, wish I had your skills as a musician.

  • @finallyforfeited
    @finallyforfeited Před 3 lety +2

    We're playing this soon, never heard it before it was on my stand, super excited now!!

  • @zangsax
    @zangsax Před rokem +3

    Such a musical interpretation! Bravo,bravo

  • @tannerthomas1595
    @tannerthomas1595 Před 8 lety +17

    Just incredible. Absolutely amazing.

  • @Kaonno
    @Kaonno Před 3 lety +3

    i am back here again for my annual binge of this video

  • @livethumos
    @livethumos Před 11 lety +58

    I think this is the best Saxophone playing I've ever heard. I started watching your videos around the time I began playing the saxophone. You were a very large source of inspiration for me to getting into learning. Now I'm an all-stater because of your playing that made such a great model for me to base my tone off of. Btw- I know your mom. She's a teacher at my old school... didn't mean to sound like a creeper.

    • @DanielSmith_19
      @DanielSmith_19 Před 4 lety +6

      No disrespect to the soloist in this here video, but here's the link to a performance of this that just blows every other one away.
      czcams.com/video/sx0jwZvwmfg/video.html

    • @jeffkarns8543
      @jeffkarns8543 Před 4 lety

      See Jim. I'm not the only one. Not crazy!!

    • @DanielSmith_19
      @DanielSmith_19 Před rokem +2

      @Christopher Partridge Oh, wow, I didn't know Dr. Murphy was sick in that performance. He really is otherworldly.
      As I said, I don't at all mean to disrespect the performer in this video. I just ghink that Otis Murphy's recording of this is phenomenal. I recognize it has its own flaws, definitely, but I'm yet to hear the Fantasia played like that.

    • @mtgn42
      @mtgn42 Před rokem

      @Christopher Partridge there is opinion that getting sick is good for muscians for making your playing more senseful
      but, ofc, taking some techicall skills from u

  • @seleneaguirre1
    @seleneaguirre1 Před 4 lety +2

    Hearing this played on saxophone in person is insane

  • @ConnorOToole
    @ConnorOToole Před 12 lety +3

    Quite honestly, this is the best recording I've heard of this piece.

  • @ethanpayne4116
    @ethanpayne4116 Před 5 lety +3

    You do the piece and your instrument justice. Beautiful work.

  • @MoistDelta.
    @MoistDelta. Před 7 lety +6

    I replayed this so many times

  • @issaccamarena8644
    @issaccamarena8644 Před 5 lety +17

    2:15 slow down to .75 and reference this as good vibrato and practice.

  • @vorteok285
    @vorteok285 Před 7 lety

    ughh this peice gives me chills!!! the slow part is probably the most passionate music will ever get.

  • @connorthomasmusicstudio7341

    Playing this on my Senior Recital in a few months, been practicing it for over a year now. Such an amazing piece and I am so excited to play it!

  • @harliecherman5287
    @harliecherman5287 Před 3 lety +1

    Saying that it’s a “simple piece” would be an insult to both the composer and any performer, but as a non-musician I feel like I can really understand this piece.

  • @austinparsons2996
    @austinparsons2996 Před 10 lety +1

    I am a freshman in Saint Clair County High School Odenville AL and we are playing this piece for our spring concert, even though it is kind of hard, i still think it is so much fun to play and we are also playing The Marriage Of Figaro, The Seal lullaby, and Fate of the Gods. I encourage all to liste to at least one of them. P.S. My favorite is Fate of the Gods. I t is so big and full of different parts for all. And also your saxophone playing is awesome. I hope you listen to some of our music, if you like Christmas music, we played Carol of the bells, Sleigh Ride and other pieces.

    • @austinparsons2996
      @austinparsons2996 Před 10 lety

      Also i play trumpet which I love but I ALSO LOVE SAXOPHONE

  • @lynnespringer1513
    @lynnespringer1513 Před 4 lety

    This University band is one of the best in this part of the country, No doubt in my mind they are the best in Texas and have been for awhile. They have the have very talented graduates

  • @alilhoneybee
    @alilhoneybee Před 4 lety +2

    this man is the sax god. 😌

  • @joeschmo1332
    @joeschmo1332 Před 9 lety +1

    Super soloist and a top band, GREAT !!

  • @thanosave7112
    @thanosave7112 Před rokem

    you have to possesses exceptional skills to tackle this piece. being just good won’t get it. He is a exceptionally gifted saxophone player.

  • @out_in_the_reeds
    @out_in_the_reeds Před 7 lety +1

    Impeccable altissimo playing! Brilliant!

  • @Saxtifyre
    @Saxtifyre Před 12 lety +1

    Bravo! I have been playing for 40 years. I enjoy this recording of this piece best of all others. Impressed with your tempos and melodic interpretation and execution. All the other guys play this too fast!! You get all the notes and with awesome rythmic interpretation and expression. Sweet altissimo bell tones, legato and gliss. it's all there. Great cadenza! Most use 2 much space in my Op. Yours is goldielocks. Triple Alt. A ending, anyone? A+! Best recording of this piece ever!

  • @clueless3398
    @clueless3398 Před 8 lety +6

    altissimo aside this guy's articulation and fingers are perfectly in time at a really high speed

  • @teacherontap
    @teacherontap Před 8 lety

    Thanks you James. Breathtaking playing.

  • @coffeekhan
    @coffeekhan Před 11 lety +1

    Simply. Awesome. This is the first time I have heard this piece, and what an introduction! Bravo!

  • @disconzifamiglia3483
    @disconzifamiglia3483 Před 6 lety

    Non mi stanco mai di ascoltare questa performance ,grazie grazie grazie

  • @Saxplayer8
    @Saxplayer8 Před rokem +1

    Used to listen to your solo recording all the time! So good!! Chills

    • @jbargermusic
      @jbargermusic  Před rokem +1

      Thanks Andrew - I hope that you’re doing well!

  • @michaeljonesmedia
    @michaeljonesmedia Před 9 lety +11

    Great performance, the solo sax nails the high note. I think Kenneth Tse's version is just a little cleaner, but the entire band sounds better in this version.

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 11 lety +1

    Thank you!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 11 lety

    Thank you Bob! It's a wonderful piece and I'm glad that you enjoyed my performance.

  • @thanosave7112
    @thanosave7112 Před rokem

    simply amazing !! bravo 👏 👏👏👏

  • @bigdoor619
    @bigdoor619 Před 11 lety

    Thanks for the quick response! As a student on my way last year of high school, performances like these inspire me to keep going with music. I've been looking for a new horn because the student horn I bought years ago just isn't holding up anymore. Been looking at some saxophones and trying some out, and the SA-80 have been the best so far. Keep being great!

  • @matheuspessoa5584
    @matheuspessoa5584 Před 5 lety

    James Barger I like your videos, very good, you is the master in saxophone. Congratulations for you performance. I am Brazilian saxophonist and like your performances. Congratulations more one time👏👏👏👏🎷

  • @irlmajorminor2991
    @irlmajorminor2991 Před 7 lety

    Fantastic! Probably my favorite piece for saxophone

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 12 lety +1

    Thank you Henrik!

  • @nathanmartin546
    @nathanmartin546 Před 3 lety

    Really terrific. Thank you.

  • @TheSaxForge
    @TheSaxForge Před 12 lety

    Fantastic performance!!! Beautiful!

  • @andrewkendle3251
    @andrewkendle3251 Před 5 lety

    Wow … Just the other side of Fantastic. Amazing !!!

  • @monicamayer8790
    @monicamayer8790 Před 4 lety

    What a legend

  • @sebastiancarlson8746
    @sebastiancarlson8746 Před 7 lety

    puts a smile on my face when he gets to that upper register

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 11 lety +3

    Thanks! I use the first and third fingers on the right hand and the pinky Eb for the E.

  • @TheListerbo
    @TheListerbo Před 7 lety

    AMAAAAZING!

  • @alloygermany8883
    @alloygermany8883 Před 9 lety

    This is inspiring I've been playing saxophone for 3 years and a half and I am thinking of majoring in music. This makes me want to become better. Thank you so much for such an amazing good quality of music. You're amazing.

  • @Hr_r-ul6hy
    @Hr_r-ul6hy Před 6 lety +1

    THE BEST

  • @xiam4749
    @xiam4749 Před 3 lety

    BRAVO!!!!!!!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 12 lety

    Thank you very much! I'm glad that you found the Glazounov to be a helpful resource to you as well!

  • @RedValkyrie165
    @RedValkyrie165 Před 6 lety +3

    I, a Saxophonist myself, personally adore this song and I am actually getting the sheet music soon.

  • @noaheleazar2617
    @noaheleazar2617 Před 4 lety

    😍 Te amo.. que lindo tocas el sax 🎷.. Eres mi inspiración.

  • @TheSaxForge
    @TheSaxForge Před 11 lety

    That Altissimo E was PERFECT. 0.0

  • @boxer.1234
    @boxer.1234 Před rokem +2

    incredible performance! if you mixed Otis Murphy's unique tone and your quality of playing, we would have a perfect sax player!

  • @daltonfreire6328
    @daltonfreire6328 Před 4 lety

    Great performance!

  • @samhouse8592
    @samhouse8592 Před 2 lety +1

    5:11 would be such a good hit in a marching show

  • @myhrcat
    @myhrcat Před 9 lety

    Rock on man, amazing performance!

  • @kenichikawamoto2833
    @kenichikawamoto2833 Před 3 lety

    Bravo.wonderful tone!

  • @Consonanter
    @Consonanter Před 12 lety

    I'm really impressed by the control it sounds like you have over your altissimo. I still feel uncertain when I go into that register.

  • @thiagomeira3474
    @thiagomeira3474 Před 6 lety

    Sou apaixonado por essa peça!!! Você é muito fera , parabéns.. que um dia eu chegue no mesmo nível !

  • @joeycastrellon7754
    @joeycastrellon7754 Před 4 lety +1

    impressive for a young player. Excellent control. Almost to the level of Kenneth Tse. Good job, man.

    • @jeffkarns8543
      @jeffkarns8543 Před 4 lety

      I love kc also but I hear no difference in control and James has twice the richness of overall sound. He's got more sound to control.

  • @petrius666petrius
    @petrius666petrius Před 12 lety

    Congratulations! Great performance!

  • @MrRaelsax
    @MrRaelsax Před 11 lety

    Congratulations !!! Very Good Solo!!

  • @OneRandomCommunity
    @OneRandomCommunity Před 10 lety

    You inspire me. Thank You.

  • @mauriciofonseca2079
    @mauriciofonseca2079 Před 11 lety +1

    Awesome, my favorite song...love it.

  • @basilhendricks788
    @basilhendricks788 Před 4 lety +1

    Wow, great

  • @TheDarkHipster7
    @TheDarkHipster7 Před 10 lety +11

    You have an amazingggggg sound. Wow. Blown away. Any tips for an incoming college freshman?

    • @dxddydas
      @dxddydas Před 6 lety +17

      John Wardlaw someone is close to graduating college, i guess those tips would be a bit late lol

  • @RonWylie-gk5lc
    @RonWylie-gk5lc Před 10 lety

    Brilliant!

  • @313BlazeF
    @313BlazeF Před 8 lety

    just beautiful

  • @michaeldean9338
    @michaeldean9338 Před rokem

    This was impressive, indeed. Thanks so much for the upload. Enjoy your channel, as well :)

  • @HenrikSchaanning
    @HenrikSchaanning Před 12 lety

    WOW! Well played sir!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 10 lety +8

    @Colton Feliciano The Yamaha Custom EX's and Selmer SA80 Series II and Series III are all great horns and I would recommend any of them. I, personally, have been playing a Selmer Series II for 10 years so I am definitely more biased toward them

    • @Captaincrab77
      @Captaincrab77 Před 10 lety

      Always great to hear another sax player to make me want to get better! Your playing is like really amazing. Your tone is beyond awesome! I am an 8th grader and I practice overtones but I have trouble with them getting pass the High D. Any advice on overtones? Like I besides thinking the sound.

  • @ichbinnichtfaul1
    @ichbinnichtfaul1 Před 11 lety

    Nice compliment! James is only about 15-16 years younger than both of them :). Can't imagine where he'll be playing wise in that time!

  • @jbargermusic
    @jbargermusic  Před 12 lety

    Thank you Petrius!

  • @leonardoadornetto5376
    @leonardoadornetto5376 Před 9 lety

    AMAZING!!

  • @ConnerEByrd
    @ConnerEByrd Před 11 lety

    New saxophone role model... Those altissimos!!! Keep it saxy my friend

  • @AmberRaven11
    @AmberRaven11 Před 10 lety

    phenomenal performance and amazing tone quality. well done :)

  • @Criptoseguro13
    @Criptoseguro13 Před 11 lety

    you're a great saxophonist¡¡¡that altissimos is very great ¡¡¡amazing your solo.

  • @Hr_r-ul6hy
    @Hr_r-ul6hy Před 3 lety

    Eu sempre choro ao ouvir isso, que som magnífico, mds

  • @J0o0shlikesPandaz
    @J0o0shlikesPandaz Před 12 lety

    So gorgeous.

  • @joer3481
    @joer3481 Před 6 lety

    Fine performance:-)....the Selmer loves you...Bravo !

  • @Catsssoul
    @Catsssoul Před 10 lety +1

    톤이 너무 좋으시다.. 굿입니다!

  • @bobbyzz94
    @bobbyzz94 Před 11 lety

    Bravo!!

  • @MrLalammm
    @MrLalammm Před 11 lety

    Me dejaste sin palabras, eres un gran saxofonista, Saludos desde México :D