Sax 101: A Crash Course on Saxophones

The saxophone is arguably one of the most distinct and popular woodwind instruments. But how much do you really know about the saxophone? We break it down for you.

Timeline

The saxophone was invented in 1846 by a man named Adolphe Sax, hence the name, “Saxophone.” Adolphe wanted to create an instrument similar to the clarinet but with a cone-like body. The saxophone gained popularity in the United States around the early 20th century by Rudy Weidoeft, a notable sax player. Weidoeft recorded over 300 recordings on multiple record labels, making the saxophone popular not only big in the United States but also overseas.

Anatomy of A Saxophone

The saxophone is technically in the woodwind family although they are usually made of brass. They are considered woodwinds because they use a reed and not a brass mouthpiece. Traditionally, saxophone bodies are made of brass, bronze, copper, and nickel. However, saxophone manufactures have been experimenting with other, new materials, such a different types of plastics or even carbon fiber. On the saxophone there are between 20–23 openings, which are controlled by padded keys. The mouthpiece of a saxophone is typically made of plastic, with a reed made from cane.

Types of Saxophone

There are 14 different types of saxophones. The four most common types are soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. The alto saxophone is great for beginners, especially younger students due to it’s small size. Tenor saxophones are the most popular saxophone, and are usually what people think of when they think of a sax. The soprano saxophone, (think Kenny G) provides the highest pitch among the four commonly used saxes, while the baritone version provides a deep a powerful sound.

How do Saxophones work?

Saxophones use a reed as a vibrating membrane to create sound. The mouth position on the mouthpiece and reed is called the hombouchure, which controls pitch and tone depending on how much pressure is applied by the bottom lip to the reed. As keys are depressed the instrument goes lower in pitch, though some fingerings are in places you wouldn’t expect them to be.

Cascio’s Top Brands

The top three saxophone brands that our experts recommend are Yamaha, Amati, Jupiter, and Yanigasawa.

There you have it folks! You have gotten a mini lesson on the sax, now it’s time for you to go out and get one! Right now, if you purchase a saxophone thats $999+ you get a free $100 gift card!