I've always had the tough decision to make whenever I just want to play the sax. I'm a lead alto, but every new year goes by and i'm stuck with the decisions: Soprano? Alto? Tenor? Bari? which ones better?

hmmm, I guess it depends on what kind of ensemble you're playing in. I like soprano, but there's not a lot ensemble literature written that takes advantage of it, so, in those cases, you'd be back stuck at the alto. You might wanna try tenor.

I know one of my directors, when he was younger, gave up his lead alot role in a jazz setting in order to play bari. It's just what you like most really, play around on em all is my suggestion. As for me, I'm lead alto as well, but I like to take a bari or tenor part sometimes.

depends what band/ ensemble/ grop your playing in.
bari gets boring in some songs for everything except marches.
alto is fun and has its moments and noticable parts.
soprano i really dunno about.
tenor gets the best of both worlds, 1/2 fun 1/2 sort of counter melody and low stuff.
depends what u like.

Even tho im mainl an alto player, id suggest tenor. I agree with triforce on the tenor parts, but it kinda does depend on what u like...

If you're lead alto, I'd stick with the alto sax, but maybe "double-up" on another sax, as well. Basically, stick with alto (you've gone this far) but have another sax to play on if push comes to shove (sp?). Who knows? Maybe you'll like a different sax better. Just remember it's your choice.