World of Musical Instruments

Saxophone

Saxophone

The saxophone is a single‑reed aerophone invented by Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. Sax sought to create an instrument that blended the projection of brass instruments with the agility and range of woodwinds. He patented the saxophone in 1846, and the instrument has always been constructed from brass. Saxophones come in various sizes, from sopranino to bass, and are key instruments in jazz, classical and popular music.

Family Aerophone (Woodwind)
Material Brass
Inventor Adolphe Sax
First patented 1846
Playing method Blown using a single‑reed mouthpiece; keys open and close tone holes

[1] Yamaha’s historical overview notes that the saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and that he patented the instrument in 1846【315287875840347†L213-L224】.

[2] The same source explains that Sax designed the instrument to combine qualities of woodwinds and brass and that saxophones have always been made of brass【315287875840347†L213-L224】.