The saxophone

Talking through music

The saxophone is a very special instrument. When you listen to it, it can seem like it is talking to you. It can seem that the person playing it is speaking to you through the music. Saxophones come in a variety of sizes. They are used in all musical styles, including classical, pop and jazz.

Saxophones were invented in the 1840s for use in military bands. They did not become popular as jazz instruments until the 1920s. The most popular was the tenor saxophone. It was used by some of America's most important musicians, such as John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins.

Woodwind instrument

The main part of a saxophone is usually made of brass. Despite this, it is called a woodwind instrument. This is because the sound is made by a vibrating reed.

The saxophone was developed by a Belgian-born instrument maker named Adolphe Sax around 1840. He wanted to make an instrument that could fill the gap between the woodwind and brass sections. He built an instrument using brass. This gave it a powerful sound. He used a reed mouthpiece to make the sound flexible.

Orchestra

In December 1844, the saxophone was used for the first time in an orchestra. This was at the Paris Conservatory. It was used in the opera The Last King of Juda by Georges Kastner.

Fun facts

There are four popular sizes of the saxophone. The smallest is the soprano. The next is the alto. Then it's the tenor, and the largest is the baritone.

There are five more specialist sizes that are not seen very often. The smallest of these is called a soprillo. It is only about 30 centimetres long. The biggest is a contrabass saxophone. It's more than 2 metres tall.

You can see and listen to most of them here: www.youtube.comwatch? v=OewPtiS9oNwFun facts

Former US president Bill Clinton and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand both play the saxophone.

Now do this ...

1. The saxophone was invented around ...

a 1840.

b 1940.

c 2000.

2. The main part of a saxophone is usually made out of ...

a wood.

b brass.

c steel.

3. The smallest saxophone is called a ...

a soprillo.

b alto.

c clarinet.

Answers:

May 19

1. a, 2. b, 3. a