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What's the most underused instrument in jazz?

cubdog

cubdog

banging through drywall
I'm curious to what you guys think about this. Can we all agree that the piano, bass, and drums can be excluded from the conversation? Likewise the saxophone, tenor and alto anyway, and trumpet could possibly be excluded Maybe not, we'll see.

I would nominate the clarinet which has seemingly fallen out of favor except in Dixieland or big bands.

I have a few more instruments I feel need to be used more often but I'll wait to see what you all think.

cubdog
 
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I see your clarinet, and raise you a bass clarinet.:D

Just before Christmas I grabbed Buddy DeFranco's Blues Bag from the library because of the title and the players on it.
I have to admit(sadly) that both he and the bass clarinet were pretty much off my radar, but holy hell is it a great listen. I'm not the biggest clarinet guy, but I can't get enough of his tone on that album.

I guess french horn should be in the mix, too.
 
You probably should include a list of instruments to be considered in the OP, since when it is left wide open, the instruments not typically used in jazz would be most of them.

If I limit the field to what I think should be on that list, I think the clarinet is pretty underutilized in the jazz that currently enjoys the most popularity, while the saxophone is too pervasive. I don't refer here to new recordings, but rather to what seems to me to be most popular based on things like recommendations made on AK to jazz newbies, eBay completed sales, and discussions with record store owners etc.
 
I think he is asking what instrument, that is typical in a jazz setting, should be used more, or isn't used as often. I don't think he's asking what instrument "should" be used out of all available. Because that would clearly be the euphonium.

I would love to see more Jazz flute. It is the coolest sound, especially when played in duet with a flugelhorn or trumpet.
 
For me, the Big Bang for bass clarinet in jazz was Eric Dolphy's recording of "God Bless the Child."

As a former baritone saxophonist, I still dig listening to one. Leo Parker, Gerry Mulligan and Harry Carney are currently tops on my list.
 
keithpgdrb said:
I think he is asking what instrument, that is typical in a jazz setting, should be used more, or isn't used as often. I don't think he's asking what instrument "should" be used out of all available. Because that would clearly be the euphonium.

I would love to see more Jazz flute. It is the coolest sound, especially when played in duet with a flugelhorn or trumpet.
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That's it, very simple. I thought it was pretty clear.

cubdog
 
bobsvinyl said:
Harmonica-Toots Thielemans. He almost carried the banner by himself.
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That's a good one that I hadn't even thought about. I will confess though that I'm not a lover of jazz harmonica while I love good blues harp.

cubdog
 
The other two I initially thought about were the Baritone Sax and trombone. Especially the valve trombone.

Vibraphone is another good one that I hadn't thought about. I love the Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson recordings.

cubdog
 
cubdog said:
That's a good one that I hadn't even thought about. I will confess though that I'm not a lover of jazz harmonica while I love good blues harp.

cubdog
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I feel the same way you do, but if you think about it, if you get someone who can really improvise on the harp, it could end up being pretty interesting.
 
I have yet to hear a Petite Wazoo!



Never heard a Jews Harp in jazz either, but I really don't listen to much jazz.
 
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