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 In B♭: sounds a major second lower than written.. |
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Military band family:
Orchestral family: Other saxophones:
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The soprano saxophone was invented in 1840 and is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument. The soprano is the third in size of the saxophone family which consists, as generally accepted, (from smallest to largest) of the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, and contrabass. Benedikt Eppelsheim has constructed a new "Soprillo" saxophone, which sounds an octave above the soprano.
A transposing instrument pitched in the key of B♭, the soprano saxophone plays an octave above the commonly used tenor saxophone. Some saxophones have additional keys, allowing them to play an additional F♯ and G at the top of the range. These extra keys are commonly found on more modern saxophones. Additionally, skilled players can make use of the Altissimo register, which allows them to play even higher. There is also a soprano pitched in C, which is less common and has not been made since around 1940.
The soprano saxophone can be compared to the B♭clarinet. Although the clarinet can play a diminshed fifth lower and over a fifth higher, the sax generally has a louder and more penetrating sound in the extreme high notes.[vague] Due to the smaller bore of the soprano, it is less forgiving with respect to intonation, though an experienced player will use alternate fingerings or vary breath support, tongue position, or embouchure to compensate. Professional players will use the technique of voicing to fix problems with intonation. Due to its similarity in tone to the instrument, the soprano saxophone is sometimes used as a substitute for the oboe.
Soprano saxophones are usually straight, but sometimes have slightly or fully curved necks and bells. The fully curved variety looks much like a small alto saxophone with a straighter crook.
In 2001, François Louis created the aulochrome, a new woodwind instrument that is made of two soprano saxophones joined together, which can be played either in unison or in harmony.
Musicians especially known for playing the soprano saxophone include jazz musicians John Coltrane (most notably on the landmark album My Favorite Things), Walter Parazaider, Sidney Bechet, Bob Berg, Wayne Shorter, Joe Farrell, Steve Lacy, Lucky Thompson, Sonny Fortune, Anthony Braxton, Gary Bartz, Bennie Maupin, Branford Marsalis, Jan Garbarek, Paul Winter, Dave Liebman, Evan Parker, Sam Newsome; smooth jazz saxophonists Kenny G, Jay Beckenstein, Dave Koz, and Grover Washington, Jr.; and Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Fela Kuti.
The soprano saxophone may also be curved slightly, in a shape resembling the alto and tenor, however much smaller. Straight sopranos may have a curved or straight neck. There is some debate over the effect of the straight and curved neck, with some players believing that a curved neck on a soprano gives it a warmer, less nasal tone. The soprano has all of the keys on other saxophone models (with the exception of the extra 'A' on some baritones) and some (e.g. those made by Yanagisawa and Bauhaus Walstein) may have a top 'G' key next to the F-sharp key. Soprano saxophone mouthpieces are available in various different designs, allowing players to tailor their tone as required.
Gallery
 Comparison in size of a curved B♭ soprano saxophone (centre), an E♭ alto saxophone (left), and a B♭ tenor saxophone (right). |
 Top to bottom: a curved E♭ sopranino saxophone, a straight E♭ sopranino saxophone, a C soprano saxophone, and a B♭ soprano saxophone. |
 B♭ soprano saxophone (left), C soprano saxophone (center), E♭ sopranino saxophone (right). |
 A tenor and soprano saxophone (on the right) made from phosphor bronze, showing their comparative sizes. |
See also
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