MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: WOODWINDS: SAXOPHONES

History
The saxophone was invented around 1840 by Adolphe Sax. Sax was a Belgian instrument-maker who worked in Paris. To create the saxophone, he took a clarinet mouthpiece and put it on a ophicleide, an instrument that is today obsolete. He created a family of saxophones, 14 in all. Of those 14 original instruments, only 8 are commonly made today. 

The eight common today are: (smallest-largest) sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, and subcontrabass. Out of these, only 4 are used widely. These 4 are the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. 

Description
Although saxophones are commonly grouped with the clarinets, because they are both single-reed instruments, it is actually a hybrid of the clarinet and oboe. While the reed and mouthpiece of the saxophone is incredibly similar to that of a clarinet, the shape is not. The shape of a saxophone can be better related to the oboe. It has a conical tube and flared bell, something native to the oboe family. 

While saxophones are not made of wood, they have a reed mouthpiece which categorizes them as woodwinds. Like most woodwinds, the saxophone can often be found in orchestral works. It adds a very warm, but unique sound to orchestral music and composers, particularly French composers, took advantage of this.

The saxophone’s true home, however, is inarguably jazz music. The saxophone can play incredibly fast parts, as well as a variety of specials including harmonics, or playing “super-high” notes not in the saxophone’s normal range. The colorful sax’s sound adds a real zesty flavor to any jazz group.  

Saxophone Variations
Tenor saxophone: The tenor sax can be a jazz or orchestral instrument. It can be very expressive and is found as a metal instrument, or occasionally plastic.

Alto saxophone: This saxophone is perhaps one of the most popular, due to its versatility. It is made of brass and can be found in a wide range of music groups.

Soprano saxophone: Of the four common saxaphones, the soprano is the smallest. It is straight, like an oboe or clarinet, and features no “u-bend” like the other members of its family. It is made of brass and often found leading jazz bands.

Baritone saxophone: The largest of the four common saxophones, the baritone is a jazz instrument at its best. It is made of brass and has a very deep voice.

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cool

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You seem to be under the impression that all soprano saxophones are straight. There are curved sopranos, (what you call "u-bend")

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You seem to be under the impression that all soprano saxophones are straight. There are curved sopranos, (what you call "u-bend")

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The sopranino also comes curved. And the alto and tenor can be strait as well.

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This site helped me a lot for a speech I am giving.

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yes my dad just got a saxophone from a relative and we dont know if it is a tenore soprano or what if you could please email me some diagrams it would help us out a ton! Thanks

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i was wondering if saxes were hand made or factory built??

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i was wondering if saxes were hand made or factory built??

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saxes rock i have one in my band!!

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to spice up this website u should have were they are made

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the sax is one of the worlds best insterments

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I love the saxophone. I tried to play one today and I blew some sound into the instrument for the first time in my life. I love jazz and The Simpsons. Cool site!

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I love the saxophone. I tried to play one today and I blew some sound into the instrument for the first time in my life. I love jazz and The Simpsons. Cool site!

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Make sure you spell Saxohone correctly. On the woodwind quiz page, it is spelled with an "a" (saxAphone--not saxOphone). Great site.

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Make sure you spell Saxohone correctly. On the woodwind quiz page, it is spelled with an "a" (saxAphone--not saxOphone). Great site.

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I play alto saxophone and it's a lot of fun! It can be VERY frustrating, but overall it's worth it. I like doing duets. This article is nice. I didn't know there was sopranino saxophone! cool!

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Yeah, right now I am searching for information on the subcontrabass sax. I have seen soe sites that even dispute the existence of the subcontrabass. Also if you could contact me, what were the others that you talked about that are not made anymore?

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to add some "jazz" to this page try adding pictures by the way great site!!

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try adding pictures

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hey were Can i get tabs for The Alto saxaphone i just thought i would ask i can't find none.

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This site's o.k no really good. SORRY to say.Maybe a little more details

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This site's o.k no really good. SORRY to say.Maybe a little more details

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This site's o.k no really good. SORRY to say.Maybe a little more details

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spellings way off

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under the soprano saxophone it says it is straight and features no u-bend, but in fact some do. They look relatively like a alto saxophone but noticably smaller. Josh Kent

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i play the alto sax, and its really fun! we are playing the simpsons in the band cool!

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This is a decent site, doesn't give much useful info, needs more details

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Thank you vey much for this page it helped out a lot, but some of your facts are wrong I'll get back to you on that in a while.

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This is the best website!!!!!

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this is a pretty cool site good work guys.

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Dis page helped me tons on evrythang bout saxes i needed 2 know!!! Thank u Google or whoever made dis page.

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you should add some famous people who played the saxophone

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thanks! your site helped me for a project!

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thankm u for the information that u gave me

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your site helped me alought for my skool pro thankz for that....

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It is very informational but what about the pictures of the instruments?

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hey i just purchased a new alto sax. i played one in junior high over 40 years ago. i was surprised as i could pick out many of the old songs and many of the chromatic scales. however, i do not have a fingering chart for this instrument. could someone please forward one to my e-mail address? thanks for your response to this request.

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hey i just purchased a new alto sax. i played one in junior high over 40 years ago. i was surprised as i could pick out many of the old songs and many of the chromatic scales. however, i do not have a fingering chart for this instrument. could someone please forward one to my e-mail address? thanks for your response to this request.

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Hello!!!Awesome site. .I just started playing Tenor Sax and cant remember the correct way 2 hold it .Can u send me a diagram or a picture

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IF N-E 1 OUT THERE HAS A PICTURE OF A BASS SAXAPHONE OR A PICTURE OF A SOPRANINO SAXAPHAPHONE PLESE E-MAIL ME.

P.S. GO TTMS MARCHING COUGARS!!!

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IF N-E 1 OUT THERE HAS A PICTURE OF A BASS SAXAPHONE OR A PICTURE OF A SOPRANINO SAXAPHAPHONE PLESE E-MAIL ME.

P.S. GO TTMS MARCHING COUGARS!!!

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I'm doing a project in music class and iI need some pictures of an alto saxaphone

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I'm doing a project in music class and I need some pictures of an alto saxaphone.

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you need more info on the bari sax

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you need more info on the bari sax

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Hey im in a Dave Matthews cover band and sometimes i have trouble figuring out the sax part and was wondering if anyone konws some sites where i can find sax tabs for Dave. Thanks for your support

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Thank you very much for this information. I am doign a research paper on the jazz age with information regarding the sax. Do you know where else I could find information on how the sax influenced music in the jazz age? Thanks.

Great site, really like it.

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Thank you very much for this information. I am doign a research paper on the jazz age with information regarding the sax. Do you know where else I could find information on how the sax influenced music in the jazz age? Thanks.

Great site, really like it.

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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this website is great! it really helped me with a project for school, thanks! Don't you think some people's comments are extremly rude! i think it is when they are saying you misspelt words!

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Trying to find out about an Italian soprano saxophone called " Borgani Macerata?

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Trying to find out about an Italian soprano saxophone called " Borgani Macerata?

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it suxs where are all the oictures

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uhm....... fack you

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hjd

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Cool but where r tha pix? I need pix 4 mah project...

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where were saxophones oringially made??!?!?!?!

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Hey,i play tenor sax. i love it alot, but no matter where i go i cant find names or pictures of the other saxophones that no longer exist. I really want to find out about all of them. if u can help me then please email me!!!!!!

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Hey,i play tenor sax. i love it alot, but no matter where i go i cant find names or pictures of the other saxophones that no longer exist. I really want to find out about all of them. if u can help me then please email me!!!!!! Oh, cool sight but put more pictures.

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nuts

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Please send me one.

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Thanxz ☺,

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i'm looking for a sax diagram for the fingering i played a long time ago and for got a lot..

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i'm looking for a sax diagram for the fingering i played a long time ago and for got a lot..

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Thank you for helping me with my school assignment. I needed to know who invented the saxophone.

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you should have more pictures

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this is the best info ever it saved me in a music project

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this is the best info ever it saved me in a music project

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i need adiagram

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i need adiagram

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very good

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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i play all four

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Okay, I need help w. my scales for bari, and i can't find any site to help me! can you help me out, very great site 2, I play alto and bari :)

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Does anyone have a fingering chart for the bari sax? please reply

:)

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COOL

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I play the saxaphone and i need a site that shows me how to play Dave Matthews Band songs. Can anyone help?

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Is there a book or website with keyings for the Soprano sax... as Im converting from the clarinet

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I am having trouble finding saxaphone tabs for christian music.

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thanks man it was a real help to my project unlike another web site i tryed

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thanks man it was a real help to my project unlike another web site i tryed

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I am looking for information on the saxophone for a project. I need pictures and i can't find any on this site.

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tenor saxers rule i play one !!! oh your site is good but you need heaps more pics got lots of info for my assinment thanz !

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tenor saxers rule i play one !!! oh your site is good but you need heaps more pics got lots of info for my assinment thanz !

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I would like to learn to play the Sax .Before that I would like to buy a Sax and I have been looking for information and what I read from this page has been immensely informative .What sort of a Sax would you suggest for somebody interested in Church music?

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I would like to learn to play the Sax .Before that I would like to buy a Sax and I have been looking for information and what I read from this page has been immensely informative .What sort of a Sax would you suggest for somebody interested in Church music?

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they r cool

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Why don't you mention how heavy a baritone sax is. I am in an adult marching band and play Bari sax. I weigh 120 pounds and it is complete torture marching w/it. I would love to see a picture of a Bass Saxaphone, it is the only one I've never seen, there are only 7 or 8 in the world. P.S. BART--anyone who can play one of them can play all of them...they work the same...boy some people who wrote on this site are STUPID

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Why don't you mention how heavy a baritone sax is. I am in an adult marching band and play Bari sax. I weigh 120 pounds and it is complete torture marching w/it. I would love to see a picture of a Bass Saxaphone, it is the only one I've never seen, there are only 7 or 8 in the world. P.S. BART--anyone who can play one of them can play all of them...they work the same...boy some people who wrote on this site are STUPID

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MY FIRST NAME IS TENOR!!!

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MY FIRST NAME IS TENOR!!!

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MY FIRST NAME IS TENOR!!!

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MY FIRST NAME IS TENOR!!!

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MY FIRST NAME IS TENOR!!!

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Cool!! I play tenor, bari, and a "C" soprano. I also play flute.

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Cool!! I play tenor, bari, and a "C" soprano. I also play flute.

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i pl

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hello

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hello

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wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

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wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

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I love the saxophone. I play the alto saxophone. What I hate though are trumpets because they are always to loud and when we have the melody they always drown us out.

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You should put some pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You should put some pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Question: I am an "intermediate" player and am buying a saxophone. I am trying to choose between a Selmer III and a Yanagasiwa 991. I prefer a mellower sound (as opposed to bright), and I already have an Alto Selmer that I am very happy with. What is your advice? Thanks, Chris

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I love the saxophone, I play the bari, this site is great GO SAXOPHONE

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I love the saxophone, I play the bari, this site is great GO SAXOPHONE

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Hi bec, i love saxaphones

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Hi bec, i love saxaphones

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Hi bec, i love saxaphones

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Hi bec, i love saxaphones

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Hi bec, i love saxaphones

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want to know about the other 6 saxaphones

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sdfa

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I've been playing the alto for 4 years and I thik its cool. I've got my own and its black.

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Hi this is Jeff I would like to ask do u got the notes to play the simpsons theme. For Alto sax. i am willing to learn it please send it to me thank

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Hi this is Jeff I would like to ask do u got the notes to play the simpsons theme. For Alto sax. i am willing to learn it please send it to me thank

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I've been playing alto sax for like 4 years and im trying to find blink 182 tabs email me if any one here find any

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I've been playing alto sax for like 4 years do u have any blink 182 tabs email me if you have any

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Dear, Think Quest Could you send me pictures and information of the early form of a saxophone? (Perferably the alto saxophone) Signed, Sydney Cormier Thanks! P.s: YOUR WEBSITE ROCKS! I GOT ALOT OF INFORMATION FOR A PROJECT FROM THIS!!

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Dear, Think Quest Could you send me pictures and information of the early form of a saxophone? (Perferably the alto saxophone) Signed, Sydney Cormier Thanks! P.s: YOUR WEBSITE ROCKS! I GOT ALOT OF INFORMATION FOR A PROJECT FROM THIS!!

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I was wondering if there was a difference between metal and Plastic mouthpieces for an alto Sax.

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the saxophone rocks!!!!!i play it to :)

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Hello! I Play the Alto Sax and of course enjoy it very much but after 4 years i thought i try something new, so i am getting a soprano sax. Curved one too!

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hi

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hi

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I was wondering if you had any other info you could send on the saxes, thanks

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What's this? No coverage on the contrabass saxaphone! If you would be kind enough to put some type of information up I would gladly read it. I would also like some pics if you don't mind.

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What's this? No coverage on the contrabass saxaphone! If you would be kind enough to put some type of information up I would gladly read it. I would also like some pics if you don't mind.

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You guys blow munkey balls

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You guys blow munkey balls

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I really enjoyed your info on saxaphones but I am doing a project and need a lot more info, so if possible can you send me all the info you know on this instument.

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Have a question. Do you know anything about a Laval Soprano Saxaphone?

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On a different site it stated that the first saxaphone was created with a clarinet and an oboe body not a ophicleide.

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On a different site it stated that the first saxaphone was created with a clarinet mouthpiece and an oboe body not a ophicleide body.

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huh it was ok i guess try adding more information on its classification and another suggestion is add some pictures

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huh it was ok i guess try adding more information on its classification and another suggestion is add some pictures

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could you send me some pictures of the alto sax

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What is An Eb alto sax?

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cool. great help for musical history assignments

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hi i was just loking for some jazz 80's music so i could play on my alto saxaphone i was looking for music also on a group called los garcias see they have a guy he plays the sax like me and i wanted to know the notes so if u find any music plz email it to me

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I love the alto saxophone...I have played it for 5 years and every year I've learned something new..I broke my arm and I'm out for marching season and I have to write a report on alto saxophones and this really helped me a lot!!!Thanks

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I love the alto saxophone...I have played it for 5 years and every year I've learned something new..I broke my arm and I'm out for marching season and I have to write a report on alto saxophones and this really helped me a lot!!!Thanks

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I love the alto saxophone...I have played it for 5 years and every year I've learned something new..I broke my arm and I'm out for marching season and I have to write a report on alto saxophones and this really helped me a lot!!!Thanks

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this site is really good i am getting horney ny guys who wanna have it and want me 2 suck their cock just write one of these and i will get back 2 u

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this site is really good i am getting horney ny guys who wanna have it and want me 2 suck their cock just write one of these and i will get back 2 u

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this site was pretty good and i am horney real bad

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Could you give me the ranges for the alto sax and the tenor sax?

Thanks

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where can i find sax tabs?? please tell me where, like for the simpsons!!

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where can i find sax tabs?? please tell me where, like for the simpsons!!

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I play the alto sax and love it I did not know that the saxaphone was so old. I like the alto better than the tennor, I had the chance to play it or my alto and chose the alto.

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can any1 give me any alto sax tabs?

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can u give give me a web site with alto sax tabs?

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this web page helped me alo on my project about the tenor sax. thanks for having such a good web page.

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I was wondering what the other 6 saxes that you said weren't widely produced anymore. I only know of one, the C Melody Saxohpone. Please let me know of the others. Bari Saxes will rule the world!

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I was wondering what the other 6 saxes that you said weren't widely produced anymore. I only know of one, the C Melody Saxohpone. Please let me know of the others. Bari Saxes will rule the world!

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I love this saxaphone