| Classification | Aerophone |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 422.212-71 (Single-reeded aerophone with keys) |
| Inventor(s) | Adolphe Sax |
| Developed | 28th June 1846[1] |
| Playing range | |
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In B♭: sounds a minor seventh higher than 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 sopranissimo or soprillo saxophone is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone. Because of the difficulties in building such a small instrument—the soprillo is 12 inches long, 13 inches with the mouthpiece—it is only recently that a true sopranissimo saxophone been produced. The keywork only extends to a written high E♭ (rather than F like most saxophones) and the upper octave key has to be placed in the mouthpiece.
The extremely small mouthpiece requires a small and focused embouchure, making the soprillo difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. There is very little market demand for soprillos, reducing the economy of scale and making the soprillo more expensive than more common saxophones like the alto or tenor.
As of 2004, soprillos were being manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim and the retail price is approximately US$2,900.
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