Difference between revisions of "Saxophone"
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There are four types of saxophones in common use today: soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. More obscure saxophones are the soprillo, sopranino, mezzo-soprano, bass and contrabass saxophones and the tubax. | There are four types of saxophones in common use today: soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. More obscure saxophones are the soprillo, sopranino, mezzo-soprano, bass and contrabass saxophones and the tubax. | ||
| − | Because the note fingering is the same on all types of saxophones | + | Because the note fingering is the same on all types of saxophones - being [[transposing instrument]]s - it is easy for a saxophonist to switch from one sax to another, although it is sometimes difficult to adjust to the differently-sized mouthpiece of each instrument. |
==Table of Saxophone Types== | ==Table of Saxophone Types== | ||
Revision as of 00:58, March 2, 2009
The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1841, a Belgian clarinetist. The saxophone was invented to resemble an intermediate instrument between woodwind and brass, although it is generally considered a single-reed woodwind instrument. Originally, Sax invented 14 different saxophones.[1] There are four types of saxophones in common use today: soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. More obscure saxophones are the soprillo, sopranino, mezzo-soprano, bass and contrabass saxophones and the tubax.
Because the note fingering is the same on all types of saxophones - being transposing instruments - it is easy for a saxophonist to switch from one sax to another, although it is sometimes difficult to adjust to the differently-sized mouthpiece of each instrument.
Table of Saxophone Types
The following table lists common and uncommon types of saxophones, listed from highest pitch to lowest pitch.
| Type | Key | Obscurity |
|---|---|---|
| Soprillo | B♭ | Obscure |
| Sopranino | E♭ | Obscure |
| Mezzo-soprano | F | Obscure |
| Soprano | B♭ | Common |
| Alto | E♭ | Common |
| C melody | C | Obscure |
| Tenor | B♭ | Common |
| Baritone ("Bari") | E♭ | Common |
| Bass | B♭ | Obscure |
| Contrabass | E♭ | Obscure |
| Tubax | B♭ | Obscure |
References
- ↑ Pearson, Bruce. "Standard of Exellence Comprehensive Band Method Book 1 E♭ Alto Saxohone." San Diego: Niel A. Kjos Music Company, 1993. 48.
