Soprillo

The Soprillo saxophone is one of the newest members of the saxophone family, and one of the rarest (only a few saxophonists in the UK possess one)! It regularly features in the National Saxophone Choir.

Pitched in Bb, one octave above a soprano saxophone, the Soprillo is the highest-pitched saxophone ever known!

Learn more at: Soprillo.com

Sopranino

The Sopranino saxophone, also affectionately known as the "nino", sounds in Eb, one octave above an alto saxophone.

Falling between the soprillo and soprano saxophones, it is rarely heard other than in saxophone ensembles, new contemporary music and the occasional orchestral piece (such as Ravel's orchestral "Bolero").

Soprano

Most sopranos are straight, with a slight bend in the neck and appear to the layman like a golden clarinet. Curved sopranos are less common and look like miniature altos.

Despite its light weight, it is generally accepted as being a difficult saxophone to learn and master and is not recommended for beginners. The soprano is, however, a great deal of fun to play and is commonly used in jazz or as a solo classical instrument.

It is a Bb instrument sounding a major second below concert pitch.

Alto

The alto is the “average” sized saxophone and generally the most recommended instrument for those just starting out due to its comfortable size and shape.

It is very versatile and is commonly used in jazz, big bands and saxophone quartets. There is also a good amount of classical repertoire available for the alto, including works by Glazunov, Ibert and Debussy.

The alto is an Eb transposing instrument, in that when a written C is played, the note sounds as Eb (a sixth below).

Tenor

The tenor saxophone is slightly larger than the alto and is also popular with adult beginners. The tenor is usually personified as a "jazz" or “rock and roll” saxophone, even though there are some applications in classical music. It is also a standard member of a sax quartet.

The tenor is a Bb transposing instrument, in that when a written C is played, the note sounds as Bb (a ninth below).

Baritone

The baritone saxophone is the largest of the "regular" saxophone family and comes in two configurations: one with a range to low A and one with a range to low Bb.

The Baritone plays the bass role in a saxophone quartet or in the sax section of a Big Band. It is also used as a solo jazz instrument, made famous by players such as Gerry Mulligan.

It is an Eb instrument and sounds an octave lower than the alto.

Bass

It has been said that the bass saxophone is truly the Diva of musical instruments. Its size and rarity means that wherever it chooses to find itself it will always be the centre of attention - if only because it's so large you can't possibly miss it!

It is the largest sax you will see in the NSC (but not the lowest!). It is a Bb instrument and sounds an octave below the tenor.

Visit the bass sax manufacturer: Benedikt Eppelsheim Wind Instruments

Tubax (contrabass)

The tubax is a newcomer to the sax family and is a type of contrabass. It has been specially designed to be compact, has a narrow bore and uses a baritone sax mouthpiece.

It sounds a whole octave below the baritone, and adds a unique richness to the bass section of the NSC.

Contrabass

The contrabass saxophone is the biggest in the world! Similar to the tubax, it is a whole octave below the baritone, although it is not as compact.

It uses a bass saxophone mouthpiece and is over 70 inches long! The contrabass is truly a rare sight, and adds to an already amazing range in the NSC.

Visit the contrabass sax manufacturer: Benedikt Eppelsheim Wind Instruments