Alto saxophone
The
alto saxophone is a variety of the
saxophone, a family of
woodwind instruments invented by
Adolphe Sax. The alto is the third smallest of the saxophone family, which consists of over eight sizes of saxophone (see
saxophone). The alto is the most common size of saxophone, and is also the size most commonly composed for by
classical composers.
Of the people who learn to play saxophone, most begin on alto. The second most common size of saxophone is the
tenor; most tenor players started on alto and switched to tenor after a few years.
The alto saxophone is a
transposing instrument and reads the
treble clef in the key of E♭ (that is to say, a written C for the alto will sound as E♭; concert, a major sixth lower).
The range of the alto saxophone is from concert D♭; (D♭;3) to concert A♭; (A♭5) (or A5 on altos with a high F# key). The range as written for the player is B♭3 to F6 (or F#6). An additional upper range, known as the
altissimo register, begins at F# and extends upwards for an octave or more. However, this range is commonly mastered only by advanced players.
Notable alto
saxophonists include
Charlie Parker,
Ornette Coleman,
Phil Woods,
Vince Wild,
Art Pepper,
Marcel Mule,
Sigurd Raschèr,
Lee Konitz,
"Cannonball" Adderley,
Jackie McLean,
Joe Harriott,
Eric Dolphy,
Gigi Gryce,
Paul Desmond,
Maceo Parker,
Donald Sinta,
Eugene Rousseau,
Marshall Allen and
Fela Kuti. The alto saxophone is included in classical music more often than the
tenor, and many concertos for alto exist. The alto has great versatility and is used commonly in concert, jazz, funk, blues, pop, marching bands, and rock music.
Some companies that currently produce saxophones are
Buffet Crampon,
Cannonball,
Jupiter,
Selmer,
Yamaha,
Vito/Leblanc, and
Yanagisawa. New alto saxophones range in price between US$1000 and US$5000
*
Saxophone*
List of saxophonists
