C soprano saxophone
 B♭ soprano saxophone (left), silver-plated C soprano saxophone (center), E♭ sopranino saxophone (right). | |
| Woodwind instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification |
422.212-71 (Single-reeded aerophone with keys) |
| Inventor(s) | Adolphe Sax |
| Developed | 28 June 1846[1] |
| Playing range | |
 In C: sounds as written. | |
| Related instruments | |
|
Military band family:
Orchestral family: Other saxophones:
| |
| Musicians | |
| More articles | |
The C soprano saxophone is a member of the saxophone family. It closely resembles the more common B♭ soprano saxophone but is pitched a tone higher. Unlike other saxophones (exception: the C melody saxophone), it is not a transposing instrument. The C soprano has a very similar range to the oboe.
In the early 20th century, the C soprano was marketed to those who wished to perform oboe parts in military band, vaudeville arrangements, or church hymnals. C sopranos are the same shape as B♭ sopranos and differ in length by only around 3 centimeters. C soprano saxophones usually have a "C" stamped on them, close to the serial number. The same companies that made C melody instruments manufactured C soprano saxophones (e.g. Conn).[2] As with C melody instruments, production of C sopranos commenced circa 1919 and ended around 1929.
In classical music
It was used by Richard Strauss in his Sinfonia Domestica, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including a soprano saxophone in C.
Notes
- ↑ "June 28, 1846: Parisian Inventor Patents Saxophone". Wired.com. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ↑ "C Soprano Saxophone Information". Cmelodysax.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-05-19.