Should guitar play the harmony line if there is one?

[misre]

Hi, new forum user and new player here. My friend (who plays alto sax) and I are wanting to play Shorter's Black Nile at an upcoming jam session, and we both want to play the melody. However, we were curious about who should play what part on the tune's B section. Should I play the harmony part while my friend plays the main line on sax or vice versa? What's typical? Attached a picture of the relevant section in the sheet music. Thank you.

(Also, obligatory "sorry if this is in the wrong section")

[AllanAllen]

If there's a piano, play the melody. If there is no piano it's up to you.

I think it would be cool if you guys arranged this part and he took, say, the bottom note and you took the top.

[pamosmusic]

Generally (no hard and fast rule) the sax would take the top line. Thats just because sax will blow guitar out of the water in terms of projection and the top line is usually the melody.

Listen to Miles and Milt Jackson on Bags Groove. Miles plays the melody the first time, while Milt plays the lower line. Then they switch. But whatever miles is playing sounds like the melody because of how much better the instrument cuts through.

[AllanAllen]

You would know better than me.

[mr. beaumont]

Original is trumpet over tenor, right? So you got a choice to make...

As long as the upper part fits in the alto's range comfortably, I say give the top part to the sax...it will be stronger

[ragman1]

Try both, see which sounds better. Why don't you trust yourselves?

[JazzerEU]

Play both of the notes, melody and harmony. If you have a more treble and brightness in your tone that will cut through the mix perhaps play the harmony line. Back in my day playing professionally, I would've just played both notes because the horn player would just naturally overpower the clean sound of an electric guitar. You might have to ask permission to play more than one note. Back in my day, I got a lot of hate thrown my way for playing more than one note. It was expected that guitarists were the same as horn players. Your city and scene might be different.

[ragman1]

And he never came back...

[pauln]

Try both ways - adapt level of playing volume.
Sax is not "too loud" for a secondary harmony.
Listen to end of Just Squeeze Me, from @7:00.
Miles is above, John is below - playing very low.

[rpjazzguitar]

Since there's a lot of variation in the sound of both alto and guitar, it seems to me trying it both ways makes sense.

I'd make the decision based upon which way it sounded better blended.