It was on this date that Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone—and a number of other musical instruments that have faded into the shadows of our instrument’s popularity—received a 15 year patent for what would become his greatest invention.
Sax’s original patent included 2 sets of 7 instruments each. Each set consisted of the: sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, and contrabass. The orchestral set was pitched in C and F, while the military set was pitched in Bb and Eb.
I think I can safely assume that the majority of you know how this all ended… How many F-pitched baris have you seen for sale lately? Oh and please all you c mel lovers out there, don’t even go there… 😉
A Quartet Of Adolphe Sax Originals Source: orgs.usd.edu/nmm
In the summer of 1844, Adolphe Sax chose the the Paris Industrial Exhibition to exhibit the saxophone for the first time.¹ It was the following December that the saxophone made its orchestral debut. In his 1837 book titled, Traité général d’instrumentation, composer, musicologist, and philosopher Georges Kastner, writes:
The first saxophone constructed belonged to the bass compass. I was the first to make use of it in the score of my grand opera, The Last King of Juda, performed at the Paris Conservatory on December 1, 1844.
Source: Basssax.com
An Adolphe Sax Original Bass Source: orgs.usd.edu/nmm
Yes, the mighty bass saxophone—that lends its name to this blog, website, and gallery—was the first saxophone that Adolphe Sax built. (Many of you likely knew these already, but if you didn’t, now you do.)
So the next time you think of making a bass saxophone joke, think again. This once noble creature—that might be a crusty hulk, in a stinky case, taking up space in a band room somewhere—is a direct descendant of the first saxophone ever built. If it weren’t for Adolph Sax’s tenacity, you might be playing something very different.
You might be playing something that looks like this… 😯
Source: selmer.fr
…or maybe this… 😛
Source: eBay.com
And let’s face it, wouldn’t that be a depressing thought? Trying walking the bar playing either one of these fine horns. 😈
_______________________________________
Here’s hoping the new player will be a stronger player than me and on many levels.
Wow, I came so close to blogging about this on my site. Instead I talked about cell phone battery life. You have done a much better job than I would have. Luv the alto clarinet threat! 😯
Cell phone battery life? Really? Give your head a shake my friend. 😉
Oh, but then this coming from the man who just sold his 1921 Buescher bass… I shouldn’t be surprised. Traitor… 😛
Oh yes, Herr Eppelsheim’s low A bass is a beauty alright. But really, it just isn’t the same as one more directly related to Adolph Sax’s, is it? :beat: