The Colorful Story Of The Saxophone
The saxophone, or sax, is a lively and widely used instrument belonging to the woodwind family of instruments. The sax is mostly made of brass and is standard for an orchestra, band, or other musical production. The saxophone has a big history in jazz and big band. However, the sax has been a key instrument for blues and more importantly, modern rock. This magnificent instrument has also been known to be included in military bands and processions.
The saxophone is a complex brass instrument that includes the following components:
Brass stock/horn
Single-reed mouthpiece
Tone holes (20-30)
Speaker holes
Keys (or pad cups)
Spit Valve
The components of this instrument have been developed in the past few decades to further expand the capabilities via engineering and development. The mouthpiece, as an example, has been built out of different metals, like: gold, silver, rubber, glass, wood, porcelain, crystal, or bone. Companies over the years have attempted various prototypes to improve the tone and overall sound quality of the instrument.
Saxophones have made a lasting impression since their first model made by Adolphe Sax in 1841. Sax was determined to create an instrument that would bridge the gap between all other woodwinds and instruments. He was very successful in his endeavors and the saxophone was the leading instrument in orchestras of the late 19th century. For military, the sax worked perfectly when tuned to include B and E pitches. Also, the saxophone was created for a C and F pitch for orchestra inclusion. Later, the saxophone was an instrument of necessity for jazz music and developed to include and produce pitches of all levels (A, B, C, G, F, and E).
Eventually, Adolphe Sax's patent expired in 1866 which prompted manufacturing of new models by several organizations. Later, in the 1950's, a a man named M. Houvenaghel of Paris, introduced a great line of saxophones which included a single-tone key arrangement which enabled the musician to manage octaves with just the thumb; this design stayed permanent with the sax and was a permanent facet of saxophone creation from then on. Other methods were tested and tried but this one-thumb control remained a permanent fixture to the sax.
Today, the sax is most common in rock, jazz, and Army bands. They are usually made of either brass or bronze and are different in expense and sound. Preferences are typical with different musicians of jazz and funk; many jazz players like mouthpieces with a shorter chamber that generates a high baffle, louder, and sharper tone. Other classical players appreciate a larger chamber because of the lower, milder tone. No matter the band, the saxophone is a great instrument in music of all types. From invention to improvement, the sax has come a long way in development and improvement and is proven to be the instrument of choice for those who play jazz and funk. - 23806
The saxophone is a complex brass instrument that includes the following components:
Brass stock/horn
Single-reed mouthpiece
Tone holes (20-30)
Speaker holes
Keys (or pad cups)
Spit Valve
The components of this instrument have been developed in the past few decades to further expand the capabilities via engineering and development. The mouthpiece, as an example, has been built out of different metals, like: gold, silver, rubber, glass, wood, porcelain, crystal, or bone. Companies over the years have attempted various prototypes to improve the tone and overall sound quality of the instrument.
Saxophones have made a lasting impression since their first model made by Adolphe Sax in 1841. Sax was determined to create an instrument that would bridge the gap between all other woodwinds and instruments. He was very successful in his endeavors and the saxophone was the leading instrument in orchestras of the late 19th century. For military, the sax worked perfectly when tuned to include B and E pitches. Also, the saxophone was created for a C and F pitch for orchestra inclusion. Later, the saxophone was an instrument of necessity for jazz music and developed to include and produce pitches of all levels (A, B, C, G, F, and E).
Eventually, Adolphe Sax's patent expired in 1866 which prompted manufacturing of new models by several organizations. Later, in the 1950's, a a man named M. Houvenaghel of Paris, introduced a great line of saxophones which included a single-tone key arrangement which enabled the musician to manage octaves with just the thumb; this design stayed permanent with the sax and was a permanent facet of saxophone creation from then on. Other methods were tested and tried but this one-thumb control remained a permanent fixture to the sax.
Today, the sax is most common in rock, jazz, and Army bands. They are usually made of either brass or bronze and are different in expense and sound. Preferences are typical with different musicians of jazz and funk; many jazz players like mouthpieces with a shorter chamber that generates a high baffle, louder, and sharper tone. Other classical players appreciate a larger chamber because of the lower, milder tone. No matter the band, the saxophone is a great instrument in music of all types. From invention to improvement, the sax has come a long way in development and improvement and is proven to be the instrument of choice for those who play jazz and funk. - 23806
About the Author:
Jim Samposzi is a columnist with over 12 years writing experience. Jim is currently working as a publicist with our b2b site and has become the in house expert on saxophones. Visit our very useful website for more information on Saxophones and Soprano Saxophone.
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