Musicians are people who perform professionally or semi-professionally on musical instruments or sing; the term is sometimes used to describe people who play as a hobby, but it implies that the person has a thorough understanding of music theory and practice. Saxophonists are people who play the saxophone professionally, semi-professionally, or as a hobbyist and have a thorough understanding of the instrument. Saxophonists can perform solo or in a band with other musicians who play other instruments, and they can perform in a variety of musical genres.
Saxophonists frequently perform in the genres of jazz, blues, and rock and roll. These musicians may perform as a profession, which usually entails performing for money on a regular basis or promoting a music album that will earn them money. Some saxophonists even book long-term gigs at specific performance venues, where they perform nightly or weekly. A semi-professional musician may perform in venues as well, though he or she is likely to have a secondary source of income in addition to playing the saxophone. Saxophonists may be hired as session players or saxophonists who play on recordings for various artists recording studios.
The term’s exact definition varies, and it’s not uncommon to hear people who play the saxophone as a hobreferred to as saxophone musicians. To be considered a musician, one does not have to make money from music; many people play for fun, but they have a thorough understanding of music as well as some skill in playing the instrument well. More commonly, however, the term refers to people who incorporate the saxophone into their daily lives or careers in some way.
The saxophone is a brass instrument with several keys running the length of the instrument’s curved body. The saxophonist performs blowing into one end of the instrument. The air creates sound as it passes through the curved brass horn. Depressing or releasing the keys along the length of the instrument changes the tone of the sound. Saxophonists will devote a significant amount of time to mastering the techniques for producing sounds that are both creative and pleasing. Some musicians choose to teach others how to play the instrument, giving the saxophonist yet another career option.