Woodwinds · Single reed · Saxophone family
Alto Saxophone
The most common saxophone; written C sounds E♭ a major sixth lower.
Quick facts
| Family | Woodwinds — Single reed |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs | 422.212-71 |
| Pitched in | E♭ |
| Transposition | Sounds a major sixth lower than written |
| Written range | B♭3 – F♯6 |
| Sounding range | D♭3 – A5 (138.59 – 880 Hz) |
| Clef | Treble |
| Inventor | Adolphe Sax |
| Other names | A.Sax, Altsaxophon, saxofón alto, saxophone alto |
Player's notes
- The most common saxophone; written C sounds E♭ a major sixth lower.
- Conical brass body, single reed, overblows at the octave.
- All saxophones share the same written fingerings.
About the alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭, smaller than the B♭ tenor but larger than the B♭ soprano. It is the most common saxophone and is used in popular music, concert bands, chamber music, solo repertoire, military bands, marching bands, pep bands, carnatic music, and jazz (such as big bands, jazz combos, swing music).
The alto saxophone had a prominent role in the development of jazz. Influential jazz musicians who made significant contributions include Don Redman, Jimmy Dorsey, Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Lee Konitz, Jackie McLean, Phil Woods, Art Pepper, Paul Desmond, and Cannonball Adderley.
Although the role of the alto saxophone in orchestral music has been limited, influential performers include Marcel Mule, Sigurd Raschèr, Jean-Marie Londeix, Eugene Rousseau, and Frederick L. Hemke.
Text adapted from the Wikipedia article “Alto saxophone”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Listen
Recordings from Wikimedia Commons, found via Openverse.
Notable repertoire
- méringue — Unknown
- saxophone repertoire — Unknown
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the alto saxophone?
The practical written range of the alto saxophone is B♭3 to F♯6, which sounds D♭3 to A5 (138.6 Hz to 880 Hz at A4 = 440 Hz).
Is the alto saxophone a transposing instrument?
Yes. The alto saxophone is pitched in E♭: sounds a major sixth lower than written. A written C sounds E♭.
What clef does the alto saxophone read?
The alto saxophone reads treble clef.
How is the alto saxophone classified?
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system the alto saxophone is classified as 422.212-71.
