Soprillo

Infobox Instrument
color1=#FFD700
color2=#FFEC8B
name=Soprillo


classification=
*Wind
*Woodwind
*Aerophone
range= higher than written
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
articles=*Saxophone

Soprillo is the brand name of a piccolo or sopranissimo saxophone, the smallest saxophone in the family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone, although the keywork only extends to a written high E♭ rather than F. Due to its small size, the upper octave key has to be placed in the mouthpiece. It is difficult to build an instrument so small, and only recently has a true sopranissimo saxophone been produced. The Soprillo is 12 inches in length (13 inches with the mouthpiece).

Because it is so small and requires such a small and focused embouchure, the Soprillo is difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. Additionally, the market demand for soprillos is comparatively small, so the economy of scale is reduced, thereby making a soprillo more expensive relative to other, larger saxophones such as the alto or tenor.

As of 2004, Soprillos are manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim and the retail price is approximately US$2,900.

External links

* [http://www.soprillo.com/ Website dedicated to the Soprillo]
* [http://www.eppelsheim.com/soprillo.php?lang=en Soprillo page] from Benedikt Eppelsheim site
* [http://www.saxchoir.com/index.php The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain (NSC)] Hear the Soprillo in action with other members of the saxophone family
* [http://www.soprillo.com Soprillo.com - Getting high on the world's smallest saxophone!] by Nigel Wood
* [http://www.jayeaston.com/galleries/sax_family/unusual_saxes_page/sax_php_unusual.html strange saxes page] at the web site of Jay C. Easton; includes pictures and sound clips of his Soprillo.

Listening

* [http://www.eppelsheim.com/soprillo.php?lang=en Soprillo MP3s] from Benedikt Eppelsheim sitehttp://www.saxtetpublications.com/catalogue/viewrecording.php?id=295&PHPSESSID=fa31c3ace0065ee633811ad5416a9957 SOPRILLOGY: The first CD dedicated to the Soprillo. 'Soprillogy' is over an hour long and includes new music for soprillo with piano, accordion and harp.

ee also

*Sopranino saxophone
*Soprano saxophone
*Tubax