C soprano saxophone

The C soprano saxophone is a member of the saxophone family, invented in 1846. It closely resembles the more common B♭ soprano saxophone but is pitched a whole step higher. Unlike most other saxophones, it is not a transposing instrument, a quality it shares with the C melody (also called C tenor) saxophone. The C soprano has a very similar range to the oboe.

Not to be confused with soprano saxophone or C melody saxophone.
C Soprano Saxophone
B♭ soprano saxophone (left), silver-plated C soprano saxophone (center), E♭ sopranino saxophone (right).
Woodwind instrument
Classification Single-reed
Hornbostel–Sachs classification422.212-71
(Single-reed aerophone with keys)
Inventor(s)Adolphe Sax
Developed1840s
Playing range
{ \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } \clef treble \key c \major \cadenzaOn bes1 \glissando f'''1 }
Soprano saxophone in C sounds as written.
Related instruments
Sizes:
Orchestral saxophones:
Specialty saxophones:
Musicians
See list of saxophonists

As with C melody saxophones, American production of C sopranos commenced circa 1919 and ended around 1929. The same companies that made C melody instruments manufactured C soprano saxophones, and they were marketed to those who wished to perform oboe parts in military bands, vaudeville arrangements, or church hymnals. C sopranos made by some French manufacturers exist but are exceedingly rare.

In the early 2010s, the New Zealand–based company Aquilasax contracted a factory in China to produce C sopranos, with modern keywork but a bore copied from C.G. Conn's 1920s model. These received a very mildly positive response from players and technicians who encountered them,[1] but demand was low and only a small number was produced. Aquilasax is now defunct, and the factory that produced these instruments is no longer operational.

C sopranos are the same shape as B♭ sopranos and differ in length by only around 3 centimeters. Nearly all vintage examples are keyed from low Bb to high Eb. Aquilasax's 2010s models were keyed to high F and F#. C soprano saxophones usually have a "C" stamped on them, close to the serial number.

In classical music

The C soprano saxophone was written for by Richard Strauss in his Sinfonia Domestica, where included in the music are parts for four saxophones including a soprano saxophone in C.

Notes
  1. "Aquilasax Celeste ii C soprano saxophone review". www.shwoodwind.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2022.


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