Sopranissimo saxophone

The sopranissimo saxophone (also known as the piccolo or soprillo saxophone) is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone. Because of the difficulties in building such a small instrument—the soprillo is 30 cm (12 in) long, 33 cm (13 in) with the mouthpiece—it is only since the mid-2010s that a true sopranissimo saxophone has been able to be produced. The keywork only extends to a written E♭₆ (sounding D♭₇), rather than F, F♯, or sometimes G, like most saxophones, and the upper octave key has to be placed on the mouthpiece.

Sopranissimo saxophone

Woodwind instrument
Classification	Wind, woodwind, aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	422.212-71 (Single-reeded aerophone with keys)
Inventor(s)	Adolphe Sax
Developed	28 June 1846[1]
Playing range
In B♭: sounds a minor seventh higher than written. Sounding:
Related instruments
Military band family: Sopranino saxophone Soprano saxophone Alto saxophone Tenor saxophone Baritone saxophone Bass saxophone Contrabass saxophone Subcontrabass saxophone Orchestral family: C soprano saxophone Mezzo-soprano saxophone C melody saxophone Other saxophones: Sopranissimo saxophone ('Soprillo') Tubax
Musicians
List of saxophonists
More articles or information
Saxophone

The extremely small mouthpiece requires a small and focused embouchure, making the soprillo difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. There is very little market demand for soprillos, reducing the economy of scale and making the soprillo more expensive than more common saxophones like the alto or tenor.

As of 2015, soprillos were being manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim, and the retail price is approximately US$3,400.