Mezzo-soprano saxophone
Encyclopedia
The mezzo-soprano saxophone, sometimes called the F alto saxophone, is an instrument in the saxophone
family. It is in the key of F, pitched a whole step above the alto saxophone
. Its size and the sound are similar to the E alto, although the upper register sounds more like a B soprano
. Very few mezzo-sopranos exist — they were only produced in 1928 and 1929 by the C. G. Conn
company. They were not popular and did not sell widely, as their production coincided with the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression
. Harsh economic conditions forced Conn to reduce the range of saxophones they produced to the most popular models.
Conn used the surplus stock of mezzo-sopranos to teach instrument repair in Conn's Elkhart workshops. Typically, a Conn instructor would deliberately damage the mezzo-sopranos (e.g. dropping them onto a concrete floor) and the students would then be tasked with repairing them. The repeated wear and tear of these actions eventually destroyed the saxophones.
The mezzo-soprano is the only saxophone pitched in F, apart from a few prototypes of an F baritone saxophone
. Although Maurice Ravel
's 1928 orchestral work Boléro
calls for a sopranino saxophone
in F, it is unlikely that such an instrument ever existed.
Notable players of the mezzo-soprano saxophone include Anthony Braxton
, James Carter
, and Jay Easton
.
in his Sinfonia Domestica written in 1903-1904, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including an alto saxophone in F.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
family. It is in the key of F, pitched a whole step above the alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
. Its size and the sound are similar to the E alto, although the upper register sounds more like a B soprano
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
. Very few mezzo-sopranos exist — they were only produced in 1928 and 1929 by the C. G. Conn
C. G. Conn
C.G. Conn Ltd., sometimes called Conn Instruments or commonly just Conn, was a United States manufacturer of musical instruments, especially brass instruments. In 1985 their Strobotuner division was bought by Peterson Electro-Musical Products, who continue to service their line of products.Assets...
company. They were not popular and did not sell widely, as their production coincided with the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Harsh economic conditions forced Conn to reduce the range of saxophones they produced to the most popular models.
Conn used the surplus stock of mezzo-sopranos to teach instrument repair in Conn's Elkhart workshops. Typically, a Conn instructor would deliberately damage the mezzo-sopranos (e.g. dropping them onto a concrete floor) and the students would then be tasked with repairing them. The repeated wear and tear of these actions eventually destroyed the saxophones.
The mezzo-soprano is the only saxophone pitched in F, apart from a few prototypes of an F baritone saxophone
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
. Although Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
's 1928 orchestral work Boléro
Boléro
Boléro is a one-movement orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel . Originally composed as a ballet commissioned by Russian ballerina Ida Rubinstein, the piece, which premiered in 1928, is Ravel's most famous musical composition....
calls for a sopranino saxophone
Sopranino saxophone
The sopranino saxophone is one of the smallest members of the saxophone family. A sopranino saxophone is tuned in the key of E, and sounds an octave above the alto saxophone. This saxophone has a sweet sound and although the sopranino is one of the least common of the saxophones in regular use...
in F, it is unlikely that such an instrument ever existed.
Notable players of the mezzo-soprano saxophone include Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
, James Carter
James Carter (musician)
James Carter is an American jazz musician.Carter was born in Detroit, Michigan and learned to play there before moving to New York City. He has been prominent as a performer and recording artist on the jazz scene since the mid-1990s, playing saxophones, flute, and bass clarinet...
, and Jay Easton
Jay Easton
Dr. Jay C. Easton is an American multi-instrumentalist who plays all sizes of saxophone as well as a variety of other woodwind instruments from around the world. He is known as a specialist in very large saxophones...
.
In classical music
It was asked for by Richard StraussRichard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
in his Sinfonia Domestica written in 1903-1904, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including an alto saxophone in F.
External links
- Jay C. Easton - modern & unusual woodwinds Jay Easton's alto and mezzo-soprano page, with photographs and sound clips.