Saxophones

The saxophone family is comprised of a complete set of orchestral and band instruments ranging in pitch from a high sopranino in Eb to a bass in Bb.
They are played with a single reed (like a clarinet), but possess a conical bore (like an oboe).
Made of brass, the instrument expands at the open end into a small, flared bell.
There are six types of saxophones, but only four are generally used.
The saxophone section is a full consort and therefore can be used to create homogenous and complete textures.
The saxophones have a wider dynamic range than other woodwinds and can balance well with other saxophones and brass.
Saxophones tend to be louder than other woodwinds.

Alto saxophone in E-flat

Low Register - The tone in this register is full and rich with a definite reedy quality. Soft attacks are difficult to achieve here, especially on the higher saxophones such as the alto.
Middle Register - The alto saxophone becomes smoother and more delicate in this register. It possesses a horn-like quality, while maintaining its reed-based based texture. Loud dynamics are difficult to achieve in this register without sacrificing the tone quality.
High Register - In this register the alto saxophone has a brighter sound.
Altissimo Register -
1. For several decades the register above written high F# has been gradually extended. Currently, there is no standard as to what is possible.
2. Fingering knowledge, embouchure, mouthpiece, reed and breath support are all factors in the development of an individual performer's capability.
3. This register is considered to be in the realm of the advanced player.

The dynamic variability of the alto saxophone (and all saxophones) is consistently wider throughout its entire range than most woodwinds, similarly to the clarinet.
Like all saxophones, the alto saxophone is remarkably flexible and agile, capable of rapid skips, arpeggios, scale-like passages and sustained phrases.
Balance with brass instruments, and especially other saxophones, is excellent. As a family of instruments, the saxophones' tonal and dynamic balance is solid and consistent.
Single tonguings are available to the performer. Double and triple tonguings, however, ever, are not usually possible.
Rapidly repeated notes are not well-suited to this instrument.
The bottom two or three notes of the instrument tend to sound slightly coarser in tone quality.

Avoid writing above written high F# in any ensemble arrangements.
Avoid trills between lowest written B and Bb and lowest written B and C#.
Because of few endurance problems, more prolonged passages are possible.
The alto saxophone is commonly used as a solo instrument.
Since its balance with other instruments is excellent, the alto saxophone (and all saxophones) is used in a wide variety of ensembles.
As a unique color, the alto saxophone is sometimes times used in orchestral music.