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 B♭ soprano saxophone (left), silver-plated C soprano saxophone (center), E♭ sopranino saxophone (right). |
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| Classification | Aerophone |
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| Playing range | |
 In C: sounds as written. |
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| Related instruments | |
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Military band family:
Orchestral family:
Other saxophones: |
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The C soprano saxophone is a member of the saxophone family and is closely related to the B♭ soprano saxophone, whose shape it resembles. However, there is an important difference between them: as with the C melody saxophone, the C soprano is not a transposing instrument. As a result, it is possible to directly read any printed music intended for piano or violin, so long as the music falls within the range of the C soprano itself i.e. is not too high or low.
In the early 20th century, the C soprano (pitched a whole step above the B♭ soprano saxophone) was marketed to those who wished to perform oboe parts in military band, vaudeville arrangements, or church hymnals. As can be seen from the accompanying photograph, C sopranos can be easily confused with B♭ sopranos because they are the same shape, and the size difference between them is only around 3 centimeters. However, C soprano saxophones usually have a "C" stamped on them, close to where the serial number appears. Manufacturers of C melody soprano saxophones were the same companies that made C melody instruments e.g. Conn[1] and others. As with C melody instruments, production of C sopranos commenced circa 1919 and ended around 1929. None have been manufactured since 1930.
Mouthpieces
It can be difficult to find a purpose-made mouthpiece for C soprano instruments. However, a small chamber B♭ soprano saxophone mouthpiece usually gives good results e.g. Dukoff, Selmer (short shank) and modern Otto Link (metal) STMs. Some experimentation may be required due to potential intonation problems.
Notes
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