Saxophone

The Saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1846, as a means to fill out the middle registers of the Brass Band but nowadays it is more commonly found as a Jazz instrument.  It has a bright, steady but very expressive tone, and is rarely used in an orchestra due to its poor ability to blend in.

The Saxophone comprises a Clarinet mouthpiece and keywork with a bent brass body and flared, upward turning bell.  Five members of the original 14 in the saxophone family are in common use; the Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass.

Although rare, some modern works make use of the saxophone, notably Britten's 'Sinfonia da Requiem' and Vaughan Williams' Sixth Symphony.