Parts of a Soprano Saxophone
The smallest and highest-pitched of the four standard saxophones, the soprano sax has both similarities to and differences from the other instruments in the sax family. While the instrument is made up of the same components as larger saxophones, its smaller size and, in some cases, unique shape, give this instrument its distinctive, piercing sound.
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Reed
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The reed of the soprano sax produces the foundation of the instrument's sound. This is a tiny, replaceable sliver of bamboo (or, in some cases, plastic or fiberglass) that vibrates when the player blows air over it. Natural reeds must be moist to be supple enough to vibrate, so they are soaked in water or in the player's mouth.
Mouthpiece
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The mouthpiece of the saxophone serves two purposes: it holds the reed in place to vibrate (using an adjustable metal holder called a ligature) and it shapes the initial sound from the reed's vibration. It is commonly made of plastic, rubber or metal, though some rare mouthpieces are made from unusual materials like glass. The mouthpiece is detachable from the rest of the instrument.
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Neck
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The neck of the soprano sax continues the acoustic shaping of the reed and mouthpiece sound, refining it and giving it direction. This part is detachable from both the mouthpiece and the body of the saxophone and is usually made from the same metal as the rest of the instrument's body. In a soprano sax, the neck is usually straight, unlike larger saxophones, which have a curved neck.
Body
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The body of the soprano saxophone is where the reed sound becomes the saxophone sound. The body acts as the largest part of a natural amplifier, giving the sound resonance, depth and pitch. The body is filled with holes, and the exact pitch of the instrument is determined by which and how many of these holes are covered at a time (since less of the body will vibrate the fewer holes you cover).
Unlike larger saxophones, the soprano sax has a straight body, and the bell faces downward rather than upward.
Keys And Mechanisms
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Since the soprano sax has too many and too large of holes for human fingers to cover and uncover while playing, it is equipped with finger-operated keys that move hinged, spring-operated mechanisms that cover and uncover the instrument's holes in different combinations. Metal discs attached to soft pads cover the holes, imitating the air-tight seal that human fingers can make.
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