Soprano saxophone

Infobox Instrument
color1=#FFD700
color2=#FFEC8B
name=Soprano saxophone


image_capt=
classification=
*Wind
*Woodwind
*Aerophone
range=
related=Military band family:
*Sopranino saxophone
*Soprano saxophone
*Alto saxophone
*Tenor saxophone
*Baritone saxophone
*Bass saxophone
*Contrabass saxophone
*Subcontrabass saxophone----Orchestral family:
*C melody saxophone
*Mezzo-soprano
*C soprano saxophone ----Other saxophones:
*Soprillo
*Tubax
musicians=*List of saxophonists
articles=*Saxophone

The soprano saxophone was invented in 1840 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 BMusic|b, the soprano saxophone plays an octave above the commonly used tenor saxophone. Some saxophones have additional keys, allowing them to play an additional FMusic|# 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, Dave Liebman and Evan Parker; smooth jazz saxophonists Jay Beckenstein, Kenny G, Dave Koz and Grover Washington, Jr.; and Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Fela Kuti.

The soprano saxophone is also known to be curved slightly in a shape resembling the alto and tenor, however much smaller. The straight soprano has a curved and straight neck which allows for a restrained mellow sound, or a full unrestrained sound for concert pieces. It has all the same keys of the other saxophone models, disregarding the extra A on some baritones. It also fashions an extra high G key commonly, which makes the past altissimo note more realistic. The mouthpieces for the Soprano can be purchased as a metal model or of a plastic model. The metal makes a more mello sound that appeals to jazz players, and the plastic has a round, warm sound used for concert tones.

ee also

*List of saxophonists