Concert band music is usually written for a 4 part saxophone section: 2 Eb altos, 1 Bb Tenor, and 1 Eb Bari. Sometimes it might only have 1 alto sax part. Very rarely is any other saxes used that`s not in the standard instrumentation. I would guess that while it is possible to find concert band music with a C-melody part, it is not common at all and very hard to come across.

Hey,
I have never heard of a C-Mel being used in concert band. Its rather pointless IMO. It really wouldnt add much to a sound spectrum, and the notoriously play out of tune (not that they cant be played in tune, but think about middle school bands, and how they play, intonation wise... then think about putting some bad instruments into the mix!).

F-mezzos are really a cool instrument. I own one, and its is as perfect as they come. One of the first ones made, and 100% plating. Original Mouthpiece, case, ligature... I love that thing. And its is a killer player.

Steve P
page0149@umn.edu

but then aren`t F-mezzos just as obselete? Course i`d take one anyway.

Obsolete: Yes, basically. But, they are far more rare an item than a C-mel, hence why they cost so much more. However, these instruments are being rediscovered, and restored to their playing glory more and more. I regularly perform on mine, and there are others who do so as well (Jay Easton, Paul Brodie etc). James Carter, a favorite jazz player of mine, has used one on a number of his CDs. These are truely wonderful instruments, and it is nice to see them being used again. I feel that they were never really given a chance. They were just being produced at the wrong time.

Steve P

Also, Wildband...you said you have a selmer C-Mel.. is ist a Selmer Paris, or USA? And, I highly doubt it is sterling silver, either way. Silver plate maybe.

It says

Selmer
New York

(serial number)
55636
Low pitch

the patent number has worn off. I don`t know if it is sterling silver or not, i`ll look into that. But, as you said, it seems these vintage saxes are coming back around, which is fine with me; perhaps one day production will be restarted. It`s be interesting to get a modern version of the horns. Specialy for the reeds and the mouthpieces.

Conn should re-start production of pro horns and make some curved and straight necked C-Mels (drooling)...

oh, that`s right, selmer owns them and won`t let them.

Its not really that Selmer wont let them... There is simply no demand for them. No wealth of literature, solo, band or otherwise. And theres not a huge community clamoring for new C-melody`s. The guys who use them seem content with the old Conns and Bueschers, and rightly so! Those horns wail!

Steve P

Ps---ahh, the good old selmer New York. Nice stencil horns.
Silver or nickle plated I would imagine.

I know that. I was talking about them re-starting pro horn production. Anyway, it can`t hurt to hope.

sure it may be stencil but it`s good. And, it is silver. Yes, it tarnishes, and you should`ve seen it before the overhaul. pure black. Now, it`s a beauty.

And as for conn pro`s, they were the best in thier time, weren`t they? Now all the conns I ever see are horrible student horns. (the new ones)

Yep. pity.
Anyway... check out this site for some more c-mel info. They have some great guys at this forum:

http://boards.eesite.com/board.cgi?boardset=cmelody