In comparison to many other types of musical instruments, the saxophone is still relatively new to the world of music. The saxophone was originally created by a man named Adolphe Sax around the year 1840, and it was first mentioned in print in a magazine article in 1842 that was written by Hector Belioz, who was a friend of his. The saxophone was then first introduced to the world for real in 1844, and then it was officially patented in the year 1846.The saxophone is a type of woodwind instrument, and it is known for combining the mouthpiece of the classic clarinet with the conical bore of the oboe, the brass body of the trumpet and the fingering system resembling the Bohm system which was adopted by the clarinet, the flute and the oboe.

It has long been said that when Sax designed the saxophone, he did so intending to create an instrument that would sound similar to an oboe or a clarinet, and that could also match the volume capable of being produced by the brass section in a typical military band. There was a great deal of competition between the Sax's military band and traditional military bands sans saxophones. The Parisians that judged the competition decided that Sax's band was the clear winner.

Since this point, the saxophone has been a well valued member of the typical military band as well as the wind ensemble. This instrument, the saxophone has also found a way into jazz music and big band music as well. It is from big band and jazz music that people became more aware of the saxophone instrument.

The saxophone, even today, is still struggling to be accepted fully into the genre of classical music. There are a number of composers that have included it in their symphony orchestras, including Berlioz, Bizet, Puccini and Ravel, and even though many composers have even written music expressly to suit the saxophone, including Creston, Glazunov and Heiden, the saxophone is sadly still not as common as part of an orchestra as many other instruments including the clarinet and the violin.

The saxophone is a relatively new instrument, which is one possibility for why this is. New things definitely take some time before they are accepted fully. Because the saxophone first saw use in Military band applications, many composers have doubted the dynamic range of the instrument, instead viewing it as an instrument intended to make noise. The saxophone is becoming increasingly useful in music, however, especially in popular culture and where jazz and big band music is concerned.

The saxophone is a stunning and glorious instrument that is capable of playing whisper soft just as easily as deafeningly loud. The tone is capable of conveying and mimicking emotions. Long connected phrases are capable of being played beautifully using this advanced instrument just as easily as the instrument can play pizzicato. If you are looking for an intriguing and aptly challenging instrument to learn the saxophone is a good bet.

Photo Credits: Kristian M

Originally posted 2009-08-24 03:57:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Acoustic Musical Instruments, Instrument History, saxophone

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band music, berlioz, brass body, brass section, clarinet, creston, glazunov, hector belioz, jazz music, many other types, military band, military bands, Oboe, parisians, saxophone, symphony orchestras, types of musical instruments, wind ensemble, woodwind instrument, world of music