The saxophone, or sax, is a vibrant and important instrument that is apart of the woodwind family of instruments. The sax is typically made of brass and is standard for an orchestra, jazz band, or other musical procession. The saxophone has a big history in jazz and big band. But the saxophone has been a key instrument for blues and lately, modern rock. This beautiful music maker has also been known to be included in military bands and processions.
The saxophone is a complex brass instrument that includes the following components:
Brass stock/horn
Single-reed mouthpiece
Tone holes (20-30)
Speaker holes
Keys (or pad cups)
Spit Valve
The pieces of this instrument have been developed over the years to better sounds by engineering and testing. The mouthpiece, in example, has been made of various metals, such as: gold, silver, rubber, glass, wood, porcelain, crystal, or bone. Instrument makers throughout the years have attempted various prototypes to improve the tone and overall sound quality of the instrument.
Saxophones have increased in popularity since their invention by Adolphe Sax in 1841. Sax was headstrong to develop an instrument that would cover the pitch between all other woodwinds and brass instruments. Mr. Sax did what he wished and the saxophone was common in orchestras of the late 19th century. For military, the sax did great when set in a E and B pitch. Also, the saxophone was the perfect instrument to get a C and F tone. Later on, the sax was an instrument of necessity for jazz music and included the tone holes to produce pitches of all magnitudes (A, B, C, G, F, and E).
Needless to say, Adolphe Sax's patent expired in 1866 which prompted manufacturing of new saxophones by several organizations. And, in the 1950's, a gentleman by the name of M. Houvenaghel of France, introduced a great line of saxophones which introduced a single-tone key system that allowed the musician to create octaves with one thumb; this design stayed permanent with the sax and was used ongoing in sax production. Other methods were tested and tried but this kind remained the best.
In modern times, the saxophone is most popular in rock, jazz, and armed forces bands. Saxophones are built of either brass or bronze and vary in price, capability, and style. Preferences are made by most musicians of jazz and funk; a lot of jazz musicians like mouthpieces with a lower chamber due to the ability to produce a high baffle, louder, and brighter sound. Other classical players look for a larger chamber because of the simpler, duller sound. Whatever the application, the saxophone is the popular instrument for all bands. From invention to improvement, the sax has been improved upon and is said to be the cornerstone instrument of jazz and funk.
The saxophone is a complex brass instrument that includes the following components:
Brass stock/horn
Single-reed mouthpiece
Tone holes (20-30)
Speaker holes
Keys (or pad cups)
Spit Valve
The pieces of this instrument have been developed over the years to better sounds by engineering and testing. The mouthpiece, in example, has been made of various metals, such as: gold, silver, rubber, glass, wood, porcelain, crystal, or bone. Instrument makers throughout the years have attempted various prototypes to improve the tone and overall sound quality of the instrument.
Saxophones have increased in popularity since their invention by Adolphe Sax in 1841. Sax was headstrong to develop an instrument that would cover the pitch between all other woodwinds and brass instruments. Mr. Sax did what he wished and the saxophone was common in orchestras of the late 19th century. For military, the sax did great when set in a E and B pitch. Also, the saxophone was the perfect instrument to get a C and F tone. Later on, the sax was an instrument of necessity for jazz music and included the tone holes to produce pitches of all magnitudes (A, B, C, G, F, and E).
Needless to say, Adolphe Sax's patent expired in 1866 which prompted manufacturing of new saxophones by several organizations. And, in the 1950's, a gentleman by the name of M. Houvenaghel of France, introduced a great line of saxophones which introduced a single-tone key system that allowed the musician to create octaves with one thumb; this design stayed permanent with the sax and was used ongoing in sax production. Other methods were tested and tried but this kind remained the best.
In modern times, the saxophone is most popular in rock, jazz, and armed forces bands. Saxophones are built of either brass or bronze and vary in price, capability, and style. Preferences are made by most musicians of jazz and funk; a lot of jazz musicians like mouthpieces with a lower chamber due to the ability to produce a high baffle, louder, and brighter sound. Other classical players look for a larger chamber because of the simpler, duller sound. Whatever the application, the saxophone is the popular instrument for all bands. From invention to improvement, the sax has been improved upon and is said to be the cornerstone instrument of jazz and funk.
About the Author:
Jim Samposzi is a journalist with over 15 years of writing experience. Jim is currently engaged as a technical writer for many well-known b2b portals and has become the in house authority on musical instruments. Take the time to visit our web portal for additional information on Saxophones and Soprano Saxophone.
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