Everything about Alto Sax totally explained
The
alto saxophone is a variety of the
saxophone, a family of
woodwind instruments invented by
Adolphe Sax. The alto is the third smallest of the saxophone family, which consists of ten sizes of saxophone. The alto is the most common size of saxophone, and is also the size most commonly included in
classical compositions.
Because of the music world's lack of respect for Adolphe Sax, the saxophone wasn't immediately recognized or utilized in the musical community. The saxophone had to wait many years before its potential was recognized. It gained its reputation in American jazz movement, and ever since has been becoming more and more popular.
Because of its prevalence, the alto saxophone is the most common choice for beginners learning to play the saxophone. The second most common saxophone used by beginners is the
tenor; teachers often suggest either an alto or a tenor for a beginner depending on their physical size, as well as their preferences.
The alto saxophone is a
transposing instrument and reads the
treble clef in the key of E♭ (meaning that a written C for the alto will sound as E♭; concert, a major sixth lower, or a minor third above).
The range of the alto saxophone is from concert D♭ (D♭3) to concert A♭ (A♭5) (or A5 on altos with a high F# key). The "normal" range as written for the player is B♭3 to F6 (or F#6). The third octave, known as the
altissimo register, begins at F# and extends upwards. Since the altissimo register of a saxophone is much more difficult to control than other woodwinds, it's usually only expected from advanced players.
Notable alto
saxophonists include jazz musicians
Charlie Parker,
Cannonball Adderley,
Lee Konitz,
Eric Dolphy,
Ornette Coleman,
Elton Dean,
Phil Woods,
Dave Koz, and
Paul Desmond, and classical musicians
Marcel Mule,
Sigurd Raschèr, and
Eugene Rousseau (for more see the
Complete list of saxophonists). The alto saxophone is included in classical music more often than the
tenor, and many concertos for alto exist. The alto has great versatility and is used commonly in
concert,
jazz,
funk,
blues,
pop,
marching bands, and
rock music.
Some companies that currently produce saxophones are
Buffet Crampon,
Cannonball,
P.Mauriat,
KHS/
Jupiter,
Selmer,
Yamaha,
Leblanc/
Vito,
Keilwerth, and
Yanagisawa. New alto saxophones range in price between US$200 for lower quality student models to over US$7000 for professional models.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Alto Sax'.
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