Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone family in the mid-1800’s. Included in the family are the B-flat Soprano, E-flat Alto (the one you will play), B-flat Tenor, E-flat Baritone, and B-flat Bass. Saxophone uses a piece of cane known as a “single reed” to make a tone which must be replaced on a regular basis. Saxophone is normally rented or purchased outside the band program.
Saxophones are seldom used in orchestral compositions, but are very popular jazz instruments.
SDF: 1
Because of the recent popularity of the saxophone, there has been an explosion of players. A concert band of 75 members will typically use only 4 saxophonists. In addition, colleges and universities do not actively recruit them. However, there are still plenty of students who continue to study saxophone and receive scholarships, most being less than other wind instruments. Saxophone can also be an expensive instrument in the band family.
As a beginning band member – students normally do not begin on saxophone . Students who are interested in playing saxophone usually begin on clarinet. This is why saxophone is not listed as an instrument for beginning band. At the end of the first year of band, the best clarinet students may audition for any available saxophone slots in symphonic or concert bands.