The saxophone is a single-reed woodwind instrument, despite its brass construction, producing sound through the vibration of a cane reed against a mouthpiece. This allows for a versatile and expressive tonal quality, described as reedy, warm, or resonant. Adolphe Sax invented the instrument in the 1840s to bridge the sonic gap between brass and woodwind instruments, for a warm, enveloping sound. The saxophone has since found its place across numerous music genres, including jazz, classical, pop, rock, and military bands, frequently serving as a solo instrument or part of a horn section.
The Core Four: Common Saxophone Types
The soprano saxophone is the smallest saxophone, typically straight in shape, though curved models also exist. Pitched in B-flat, it offers the highest pitch among the core four, sounding one octave above the tenor and a fifth above the alto. Its tone is clear, bright, vibrant, sometimes with a nasal quality, and frequently featured in jazz and classical music. Mastering its intonation and breath control can be challenging for new players due to its sensitivity.
The alto saxophone is a medium-sized instrument, recognized by its “J” shape with a bent neck. Pitched in E-flat, it sounds a fourth lower than the soprano and an octave higher than the baritone. It produces a bright, clear, warm sound, making it a popular choice across jazz, classical, and pop genres. Its manageable size and weight, along with its versatile tone, make it a recommended instrument for beginners.
The tenor saxophone is larger than the alto and features a slightly curved neck leading to its “J” shaped body. Tuned in B-flat, it sounds an octave lower than the soprano and a whole step lower than the alto. It is known for its deeper, fuller, often huskier sound, making it a backbone in jazz and blues, and popular in rock and pop music. While it requires more breath support than the alto, its rich, resonant tone is highly valued for solos and ensemble work.
The baritone saxophone is the largest of the core four, characterized by its large, curved shape with a neck loop. Pitched in E-flat, it plays two octaves lower than the soprano and one octave lower than the alto, providing a deep, rich, powerful foundational sound. It is primarily used in jazz, big band, and classical music, contributing lower harmonies and bass lines to ensembles. Its size and the significant air required to play it can present physical demands for some musicians.
Specialized and Rare Saxophones
Beyond the core four, several specialized and rare saxophones exist, often designed for specific sonic ranges or historical contexts.
Sopranino Saxophone
The sopranino saxophone is the highest-pitched, playing an octave above the alto and two octaves higher than the baritone. It is even smaller than the soprano, with a bright, high pitch, and rarely seen outside of avant-garde or experimental music due to limited literature and accessories.
Bass Saxophone
The bass saxophone is larger than the baritone, standing around 4 feet tall. While less common today, it was popular in the early 20th century for providing a strong low end in jazz big bands. It requires significant lung capacity, making it unsuitable for beginners and more suited for experienced players.
Contrabass and Subcontrabass Saxophones
The contrabass saxophone is even larger, standing around 6 feet tall, and produces extremely low, resonating notes. It is rarely played, primarily by virtuoso jazz musicians, and its immense size and air requirements make it a novelty instrument. An even larger version, the subcontrabass saxophone, can reach up to 10 feet tall, producing notes so low they are barely audible to the human ear, with very few existing globally.
C Melody Saxophone
The C Melody saxophone was popular in the early 1900s, pitched in the key of C, one whole tone above the B-flat tenor. This made it a non-transposing instrument, allowing it to play directly from piano or vocal music without transposition. Most C melody saxophones have curved necks, similar to the tenor, but some straight-necked models existed. Its popularity declined after the 1929 stock market crash, and it is now uncommon, having a muted sound compared to other saxophone types.
Choosing Your Saxophone
The player’s age and physical size are important considerations. Younger or smaller individuals find alto or soprano saxophones more manageable due to lighter weight and closer key spacing, easing hand stretch. The alto saxophone is often recommended for young beginners, sometimes with specialized models for smaller hands. Older or physically larger students might find the tenor saxophone a suitable starting instrument.
Musical interests and preferred genres guide the choice. For jazz or blues, tenor and baritone saxophones offer soulful, resonant tones. Classical and solo performances favor the clarity and precision of alto and soprano saxophones. Alto and tenor saxophones are versatile choices for pop and contemporary music.
Budget is a significant factor; student models typically range from $500 to $1,000, while professional models can exceed $10,000. Beyond the instrument, beginners should budget for additional expenses like reeds (around $25+ per box of ten, requiring regular replacement) and yearly servicing (around $80+). Accessories such as a neck strap, cork grease, and a cleaning swab add an estimated $50-100.