What Is the Origin of Saxophones?

The saxophone is a relatively new instrument.

The saxophone is an instrument that bridges the design gap between woodwind and brass orchestral instruments. The body of the saxophone is based on a brass instrument, but the mouthpiece is of woodwind design.

Inventor

Belgian Antoine-Joseph Sax, a skilled musician and instrument maker, invented the saxophone. Sax followed in his father's footsteps; by the age of six, he was proficient in making complex musical instruments. Sax invented the saxophone because he believed there was a gap to be filled between the sounds created by woodwind and brass instruments.

Debut

Sax first showed his new invention to orchestra conductor Hector Berlioz in 1841. Berlioz was so taken by the new instrument that he published an article about it in a well-respected Parisian magazine of the time. Berlioz helped to further the instrument's promotion by including it in a choral concert, Chante Sacre, that he conducted in 1844.

Joining the Bands

The saxophone burst onto the band scene in 1845; up to this point, French army bands were made up of bassoons, oboes and French horns. Sax managed to get his two saxophone designs into the army bands. In doing this, he proved his belief that the instruments could bridge the tonal gap between woodwind and brass. This period was the beginning of the instrument's popularity, as other bands began adopting the saxophone.

References

• The Saxophone: The History of the Saxophone