The Saxophone

The saxophone is a shiny golden instrument. It has a bent shape and many keys on its body. You play it by blowing into a mouthpiece with a reed. The saxophone is famous for its smooth sound in jazz music.

Who Invented the Saxophone

The saxophone was invented by a man named Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. He was from Belgium. He wanted to make an instrument that combined parts of brass and wind instruments. He named it after himself, the saxophone. It is made of metal but is a woodwind instrument.

Saxophones in Music

There are different sizes of saxophones. The soprano sax is small and high. The alto and tenor saxes are medium sized. The baritone sax is big and low. Saxophones are used in jazz, rock, and marching bands. They are not usually in classical orchestras.

Fun Facts

• Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1846.
• The saxophone is made of metal but is called a woodwind instrument because of its wooden reed.
• President Bill Clinton was famous for playing the saxophone.

Did You Know?

Even though the saxophone was invented for classical music, it became most popular in jazz bands about 80 years later.