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RE: "C" Melody Sax?

Author: Denis
Date: 1999-05-28 13:09

Just found on SaxFiend's web page http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/2048/ :

The saxophone was patented in 1846 by Brussels-born clarinetist and inventor Adolphe Sax. His original horn was a bass saxophone in C. Made of brass; but with a mouthpiece like a clarinet and a pattern of fingering quite similar to that of the oboe. This hybrid instrument was intended to increase the volume and impact of the lower woodwinds; which at the time were rather weak. After it's agility and expressiveness were discovered, an entire family (14 to be exact.) was comprised; from sopranino to contrabass; in two families. The band family pitched alternatingly in Eb and Bb; and the orchestral family
pitched alternatingly in F and C. The orchestral family was all but abandoned; as the tone of the saxophone did not blend well in that ensemble. The only surviving member of the orchestral family being the C-melody, or tenor in C. The saxophones that are still commonly seen are the Bb soprano, Eb alto, Bb tenor, Eb baritone (or bari for short), and the massive four-and -a-half foot tall BBb bass sax. Other, rarer, sizes are the tiny Eb sopranino and the gargantuan 6'8'' EEb contrabass. Rumors have swirled about as to the existence of a Sub-contrabass saxophone in BBBb; but there has been no proof to support or debunk these claims.

Denis

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