B♭ soprano saxophone (left), silver-plated C soprano saxophone (center), E♭ sopranino saxophone (right). |
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| Classification | Aerophone |
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| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 422.212-71 (Single-reeded aerophone with keys) |
| Inventor(s) | Adolphe Sax |
| Developed | 28th June 1846[1] |
| Playing range | |
In C: sounds as written. |
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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 C soprano saxophone is a member of the saxophone family. It closely resembles the more common B♭ soprano saxophone but is pitched a whole step higher. Unlike all other saxophones, it is not a transposing instrument.
In the early 20th century, the C soprano was marketed to those who wished to perform oboe parts in military band, vaudeville arrangements, or church hymnals. C sopranos are the same shape as B♭ sopranos and differ in length by only around 3 centimeters. C soprano saxophones usually have a "C" stamped on them, close to the serial number. The same companies that made C melody instruments manufactured C soprano saxophones (e.g. Conn)[2]. As with C melody instruments, production of C sopranos commenced circa 1919 and ended around 1929. Currently, AquilaSax makes C soprano saxophones.
It was used by Richard Strauss in his Sinfonia Domestica, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including a soprano saxophone in C.
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