Musical Instruments

Bass saxophone

The bass saxophone is the fourth lowest member of the saxophone family—larger and lower than the more common baritone saxophone. It was likely the first type of saxophone built by Adolphe Sax, as first observed by Berlioz in 1842. It is a transposing instrument pitched in B♭, an octave below the tenor saxophone and a perfect fourth below the baritone saxophone. A bass saxophone in C, intended for orchestral use, was included in Adolphe Sax's patent, but few known examples were built. The bass saxophone is not a commonly used instrument, but it is heard on some 1920s jazz recordings, in free jazz, in saxophone choirs and sextets, and occasionally in concert bands and rock music. Music for all saxophones is written in treble clef, the bass saxophone sounding two octaves and a major second lower than written. As with other saxophones, the lowest written note is the B♭ below middle C, sounding as a concert A♭1, although some models have an extra key for low A (sounding G1).

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See also

• ▸Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding, BWV 176
• ▸Canosa di Puglia
• ▸Carmen

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