Woodwinds · Single reed · Saxophone family
Tenor Saxophone
Sounds a major ninth lower than written.
Quick facts
| Family | Woodwinds — Single reed |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs | 422.212-71 |
| Pitched in | B♭ |
| Transposition | Sounds a major ninth lower than written |
| Written range | B♭3 – F♯6 |
| Sounding range | A♭2 – E5 (103.83 – 659 Hz) |
| Clef | Treble |
| Other names | T.Sax, Tenorsaxophon, saxofón tenor, saxophone ténor |
Player's notes
- Sounds a major ninth lower than written.
- Iconic in jazz through Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.
About the tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B♭ (while the alto is pitched in the key of E♭), and is a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding an octave and a major second lower than the written pitch. Modern tenor saxophones that have a high F♯ key have a range from A♭2 to E5 (concert) and are therefore pitched one octave below the soprano saxophone. People who play the tenor saxophone are known as "tenor saxophonists", "tenor sax players", or "saxophonists".
The tenor saxophone uses a larger mouthpiece, reed and ligature than the alto and soprano saxophones. Visually, it is easily distinguished by the curve in its neck, or its crook, near the mouthpiece. The alto saxophone lacks this and its neck goes straight to the mouthpiece. The tenor saxophone is most recognized for its ability to blend well with the soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones, with its "husky" yet "bright" tone.
The tenor sax has been an important solo instrument in jazz music. Famous and influential players include Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter. The work of younger players such as Michael Brecker and Chris Potter has been an important influence in more recent jazz.
Text adapted from the Wikipedia article “Tenor 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 tenor saxophone?
The practical written range of the tenor saxophone is B♭3 to F♯6, which sounds A♭2 to E5 (103.8 Hz to 659 Hz at A4 = 440 Hz).
Is the tenor saxophone a transposing instrument?
Yes. The tenor saxophone is pitched in B♭: sounds a major ninth lower than written. A written C sounds B♭.
What clef does the tenor saxophone read?
The tenor saxophone reads treble clef.
How is the tenor saxophone classified?
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system the tenor saxophone is classified as 422.212-71.
