Saxophone: what is this musical instrument, brief history, interesting facts

Jazz, sensual music, an instrument for the soul - all this is associated with the saxophone. Its sound conveys passion and expression, tenderness and brings the most pleasant memories. What kind of instrument is the saxophone? What is its history? Let's find out some interesting facts about the saxophone.

What is a saxophone, its brief history

The saxophone belongs to the cane wind musical instruments. This instrument is made mainly of brass. Some models are made of silver, copper or bronze. They also come in plastic, acrylic, and polycarbonate.

In the past, saxophone mouthpieces were made of boxwood, grenadilla and rosewood. Nowadays, wooden mouthpieces on these musical instruments are not common. They are mostly made of rubber or metal, plastic.

The saxophone was designed in 1842 in Belgium. It was made by a master musical instrument maker, Adolphe Sax. Four years later, he patented the saxophone. The public and music lovers first heard the sound of this musical instrument in 1844 at the Paris Industrial Exhibition.

Adolphe Sax had a friend, Hector Berlioz, who was an innovative composer. It was he who introduced his friend's invention to the general public. He had the idea to name the new musical instrument saxophone after the surname of its inventor.

Hector wrote a piece and a song, the accompaniment of which included the saxophone. He also wrote an article titled "The Art of Instrumentation" and detailed the vast possibilities of the saxophone. Thanks to this, many orchestra leaders began to order this musical instrument and use it.

Interesting facts about the saxophone

What remarkable things are known about the saxophone:

• Almost from the very birth of jazz at the end of the XIX century in the United States, the saxophone became the leading instrument in this musical style. It fit perfectly into this trend due to its wide range of sonic possibilities. However, at first, some jazz performers preferred to use clarinet, because it was very popular at that time.
• The first jazz musician who first became famous for playing the saxophone in the 1920s was Coleman Hawkins.
• Adolph Sax developed models of 14 types of saxophones. Seven of them are in use now. These saxophones have different sounds: soprano, baritone, bass, etc. The alto and tenor are the most popular among the saxophones.
• The largest saxophone of the standard type is the double bass. Its size in height is 195 centimeters. It weighs approximately 20.4 kilograms. It has a low sound.
• The smallest saxophone is the sopranino. It is only 30.5 centimeters long and has a high sound.
• In Germany, during the rule of the Third Reich, the saxophone was banned.
• Every year, saxophonists for the whole world come to the city of Dinan, the place where Adolf Sax lived in Belgium. A parade of these musicians takes place there. It is illuminated by torches in the evening.
• The largest monument to the saxophone stands in Belgium, in the city of Denau. Its height is 12 meters. In Norway, in the city of Molde, there is a sculpture of bronze, made in the form of a saxophonist.

Saxophone is a noble musical instrument, the sound of which touches the deepest feelings and evokes strong emotions. It is not surprising that it became popular, despite the fact that at first it was not recognized.