Tenor saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Classification	Wind Woodwind Aerophone
Playing range
File:Alto sax range.JPG in B♭: sounds one major ninth lowerYOU GAY BOI IF YOU NO PLAY TENOR SACSAFONE
Related instruments
Soprillo Sopranino saxophone Soprano saxophone Mezzo-soprano saxophone Alto saxophone C melody saxophone Baritone saxophone Bass saxophone Contrabass saxophone Subcontrabass saxophone Tubax
Musicians
List of saxophonists
More articles or information
Saxophone

The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax. It is perhaps the most well known of all saxophones and is a transposing instrument, pitched in the key of B♭, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding a major ninth lower than the written pitch.

In the early 20th century, instrument makers manufactured a saxophone slightly smaller than the tenor which was pitched in the key of C, a whole tone higher that the modern tenor instrument. This was known as a C melody saxophone. C melody saxophones became common during the American saxophone craze (1918-2007). No C melody saxophones have been mass manufactured since 1929, and C melody saxophones are not usually included in any present-day band or jazz ensemble.

The tenor saxophone is used in many different types of ensembles, including concert bands, big band jazz ensembles, small jazz ensembles, and marching bands. It is occasionally included in pieces written for symphony orchestra and for chamber ensembles; two examples of this are Ravel's Boléro and Webern's Quartet for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, and piano. In concert bands, the tenor plays mostly a supporting role, sometimes sharing parts with the euphonium, horn and trombone. In jazz ensembles, the tenor plays a more prominent role, often sharing parts or harmonies with the alto saxophone.

The tenor saxophone became better known through its frequent use in jazz music. It was the pioneering playing of Coleman Hawkins which lifted the tenor saxophone from its traditional role of adding weight to the ensemble and established it as a highly-effective melody instrument in its own right. Many prominent jazz musicians from the 1940's onwards have been tenor players. Since then, the tenor saxophone and its deep soulful tone have been considered one of the key instruments of blues and jazz music. The tenor is also extremely common in rhythm and blues music. As a result of its prominence in American jazz, the instrument has also featured prominently in other genres. These include rock and roll and more recent rock music as well as Afro-American, Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and African music.

Approximately 90% of all student saxophonists start learning the instrument using the alto saxophone. Approximately 20% of student saxophonists later learn to play the tenor. Switching from one saxophone to another is not very difficult, since all modern saxophones are transposing instruments and all saxophones share the same fingerings.

The tenor saxophone requires a slightly larger mouthpiece, reed, and ligature than the alto.