| Classification | Aerophone |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 422.212-71 (Single-reeded aerophone with keys) |
| Inventor(s) | Adolphe Sax |
| Developed | 28th June 1846[1] |
| Playing range | |
In E♭: sounds a major sixth lower than written. Most modern alto saxophones can reach a high F♯ |
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| Related instruments | |
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Military band family:
Orchestral family: Other saxophones:
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| Musicians | |
| More articles | |
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions. The alto and tenor are the most common types of saxophone.
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The alto saxophone is an E♭ transposing instrument and reads the treble clef. A written C-natural sounds as the concert E♭ a major sixth lower.
The range of the alto saxophone is from concert D♭3 (the D♭ below middle C—see Scientific pitch notation) to concert A♭5 (or A5 on altos with a high F♯ key). As with most types of saxophones, the standard written range is B♭3 to F6 (or F♯6).[2] Above that, the altissimo register begins at F♯ and extends upwards. The saxophone's altissimo register is more difficult to control than that of other woodwinds and is usually only expected from advanced players.
Notable alto saxophonists include jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Dorsey, Johnny Hodges, Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley, Eric Dolphy, Sonny Stitt, David Sanborn, Ornette Coleman, Anthony Braxton, Jackie McLean, Phil Woods, John Zorn, and Paul Desmond. Classical musicians include Marcel Mule, Sigurd Raschèr, Jean-Yves Fourmeau, Lawrence Gwozdz, Donald Sinta, Larry Teal, Jean-Marie Londeix, Kenneth Tse, Harry White, Otis Murphy, Claude Delangle, and Eugene Rousseau. The alto saxophone is included in classical music more often than the tenor, and many concertos for alto exist. The alto is used commonly in symphonic, jazz, and marching band music.
Some companies that currently produce saxophones are Buffet Crampon, KHS/Jupiter, Selmer, Yamaha, Leblanc/Vito, Keilwerth, and Yanagisawa. New alto saxophones range in price between US$200 for lower quality student models to over US$8000 for professional models.
It is sometimes used by French Composers—for example Georges Bizet features it in the Minuet from the second suite of music from L'Arlésienne.
It was asked for by Richard Strauss in his Sinfonia Domestica, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including an alto saxophone in F.
Maurice Ravel uses the saxophone prominently in his orchestration of Modest Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, most notably as the soloist in "Il Vecchio Castello".
Alban Berg uses the saxophone in his late orchestral works, most notably Der Wein, Lulu, and the Violin Concerto.
Additionally, Sergei Rachmaninoff uses the saxophone in his Symphonic Dances as a soloist in the first movement.
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