Soprano saxophone
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The soprano saxophone was invented in 1814 and is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument. The soprano is the second in size of the saxophone family which consists, as generally accepted, (from smallest to largest) of the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, and contrabass. (Benedikt Eppelsheim has constructed a new "Soprillo" saxophone, which sounds an octave above the soprano.)
A transposing instrument pitched in the key of B♭, the soprano saxophone plays an octave above the commonly used tenor saxophone. Some saxophones have additional keys, allowing them to play an additional F♯ and G at the top of the range. These extra keys are commonly found on modern saxophones. Additionally, skilled players can make use of the Altissimo register, which allows them to play even higher. There is also a soprano pitched in C, which is less common and has not been made since around 1940.
The soprano sax can be compared to the clarinet; it generally has a louder and more penetrating sound than the clarinet in the extreme high notes.[vague] Due to the smaller bore of the soprano, it is less forgiving with respect to intonation, though an experienced player will use alternate fingerings or vary breath support, tongue position, or embouchure to compensate. Due to its similarity in tone to the instrument, the soprano saxophone is sometimes used as a substitute for the oboe.
Soprano saxophones are usually straight, but sometimes have slightly or fully curved necks and bells. The fully curved variety looks much like a small alto saxophone with a straighter crook.
In 2001, François Louis created the aulochrome, a new woodwind instrument that is made of two soprano saxophones joined together, which can be played either in unison or in harmony.
Musicians especially known for playing the soprano saxophone include jazz musicians John Coltrane (most notably on the landmark album My Favorite Things), Sidney Bechet, Bob Berg, Wayne Shorter, Joe Farrell, Steve Lacy, Lucky Thompson, Sonny Fortune, Anthony Braxton, Gary Bartz, Bennie Maupin, Branford Marsalis, Paul Winter and Dave Liebman; smooth jazz saxophonists Kenny G, Dave Koz and Grover Washington, Jr.; and Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Fela Kuti.
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