Saxophone Family

Saxophones are single reed instruments like a clarinet, but are conical like an oboe, rather than cylindrical. Although they are made of brass, they are still members of the woodwind family as they have a reed. There are a number of different saxophones, several of which are used in the concert band. They are all almost identical to each other to play, apart from their size, all using the same fingering for any given note. However each instrument has its own characteristic sounds, varying greatly between players, musical styles, and situations.

Fact: The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax a Belgian musical instrument designer and musician who played the flute and clarinet

Saxophone section from our archives - who do you recognise?