C melody saxophone

The C melody saxophone is a saxophone in the key of C, one whole step above the tenor saxophone. The C melody saxophone was part of the series of saxophones pitched in C and F, intended by the instrument's inventor, Adolphe Sax, for orchestral use. It is no longer produced, the series in B-flat and E-flat (intended by Sax for use in military bands and wind ensembles) winning out.

Related Topics:
Saxophone - Tenor saxophone - Adolphe Sax

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The C melody saxophone was marketed during the 1920s as a quieter version of the saxophone intended for domestic, amateur use. Its bore was actually considerably narrower than that of the B-flat tenor saxophone, being more or less a "stretched" version of the alto saxophone. Another major selling point was the fact that the player could read regular music in the key of C (such as that for flute, oboe, piano, or voice) without having to transpose or read special music written in B-flat or E-flat, as most other saxophones would require. By the late 1920s, however, it had faded dramatically in popularity. Some early jazz players got their start on the C melody, including Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins, though Carter eventually moved to the alto and Hawkins to the B-flat tenor instrument.

Related Topics:
Benny Carter - Coleman Hawkins

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Current performers playing and recording with the instrument include Anthony Braxton, Scott Robinson, and Joe Lovano. Most play on vintage instruments, although a similar saxophone in C (called contralto saxophone) has been produced by California instrument maker Jim Schmidt since the late 1990s.

Related Topics:
Anthony Braxton - Scott Robinson - Joe Lovano

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