The saxophone, invented by Adolphe Sax, is a conical-shaped musical instrument within the woodwind family.http://www.angelfire.com/ga/sax99/history.html Often referred to as the “sax,” the saxophone is typically made from brass and played with a mouthpiece and single-reed combination similar to the clarinet. The saxophone is the only instrument in the woodwind family that is made of brass.http://www.dsokids.com/listen/instrumentdetail.aspx?instrumentid=28

Sound is produced by putting airflow into the mouthpiece allowing the reed to vibrate and resonate through the bore of the instrument.http://www.dsokids.com/listen/instrumentdetail.aspx?instrumentid=28 The keys on the saxophone cause the musical pitch to change.http://www.saxophone.org/buyersguide/2.html The saxophone is often thought of primarily as a jazz instrument, but saxophones can be heard in many types of music, including some orchestral works.http://www.angelfire.com/ga/sax99/history.html

Saxophones come in many shapes and sizes, but four types of saxophone are most common.

Soprano: The highest in pitch of the four, the soprano sax can be straight or curved. A straight soprano saxophone tends to feature a sound quality more akin to the oboe, while a curved soprano sax retains a quality more like the other saxophones.

Alto: This saxophone is the most commonly played of the four. It features a medium size and a fairly uniform tonal quality. This saxophone is most often recommended for beginners.

Tenor: Most often considered a jazz instrument, the tenor sax is slightly larger than the alto with a larger range. A slight bend in the neck of this instrument leaves it prone to damage, but the larger mouthpiece allows the player an amount of versatility of style.

Baritone: Also called the “bari sax,” the baritone saxophone is the largest and lowest in pitch of the 4 types. Because of its size and weight, it is also most likely to sustain damage such as dents and twists.http://www.employees.org/~sax/types.html

1. Charlie Parker
2. Branford Marsalis
3. Kirk Whalum
4. David Sanborn
5. Kenny G
6. John Coltrane
7. Dave Koz
8. Stan Getzhttp://www.the-saxophone.com/famous-saxophone-players.html
9. Boots Randolph
10. Plas Johnson
11. Ornette Coleman
12. King Curtishttp://www.saxophone-players.com/famoussaxophoneplayers.html