Soprano Saxophone Article Index for
Soprano
Website Links For
Soprano
 

Information About

Soprano Saxophone




In bands and orchestras, soprano saxophones are little used, and to an "unenlightened" public, the soprano may seem like a spiffed-up Clarinet . The soprano's reputation is a little scarred because some musicians only choose to exploit the high register of the soprano, rather than listen to the low register, which has a clarinet-like warm tone quality. It generally has a louder and more penetrating sound than the clarinet in the extreme high notes. Due to its similarity in tone to the instrument, the soprano saxophone is sometimes used as a substitute for the Oboe .

Musicians especially known for playing the soprano saxophone include Jazz musicians Sidney Bechet , John Coltrane , Wayne Shorter , Joe Farrell , Steve Lacy and Dave Liebman ; Smooth Jazz saxophonists Kenny G and Dave Koz ; and Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Fela Kuti .

Two outstanding examples of soprano work are Bechet's "Petite Fleur" and Coltrane's "My Favorite Things".


SEE ALSO