Music Baritone Sax

The History of the baritone saxophone was very interesting to research giving that I have played this beautiful instrument for 4 years. Finding a little more about the history of this beautiful instrument was a very interesting time. The baritone saxophone features a low pitch. It is a single reed instrument that is made from brass and has a tapered conical bore. Despite the baritone’s low pitch, its music is written in treble clef instead of bass clef. In modern music, the baritone saxophone is usually the largest sax featured in contemporary ensembles alongside its more common cousins, the alto and the tenor saxophone.

The saxophone was invented in 1841 by Belgian manufacturer and instrument maker Adolphe Sax. His intent was to create a new instrument that would fill the gap between the loud woodwinds and the brass instruments. In 1844, Sax introduced his saxophone to the public during the Paris Industrial Exhibition. In February of that year, Berlioz conducted a concert that performed his choral work, “Chant Sacre,” which featured segments that included the new saxophone. Near the end of 1844, the saxophone enjoyed a successful orchestra debut in Georges Kastner’s opera “Last King of Juda” at the Paris Conservatory.

Adolphe Sax obtained his original patents in 1846 for the baritone variation of the saxophone along with thirteen of its cousins, including the tenor, bass, alto, contrabass and sopranino saxophones. The following year, the first saxophone school was opened at the Gymnase Musical, a military band school. Ten years later, Adolphe Sax wanted to share his love and knowledge of music, so he took on a professorship at the Paris Conservatory. “Also, in 1866, Sax’s patents expired, leaving the way open for the Millereau Co. o obtain patents for their own variation of the saxophone that featured a forked F sharp key”. In 1881, Adolphe Sax extended his patent for the baritone sax and other variations, and made changes to the design of the instruments. In response to its growing popularity, Gus Buesher was the first person in the United States to build a saxophone in 1885. Over the next few years, the baritone and other variations underwent more design changes, “such as the addition of the right hand C trill key and the invention of the single octave key”.

Adolphe Sax died in 1894, but his legacy lived on when his son, Adolphe Edouard, continued his life’s work. During the 1900s, the baritone saxophone enjoyed increasing popularity, and was incorporated into Jazz bands and other musical formats. It was also used in classical compositions, but rarely for orchestral music. Notable orchestral exceptions include Richard Strauss’s “Symphonia Domestica” of 1903 and Charles Ives’s “Symphony no. 4,” composed from 1910 through 1916. Famous musicians who played the baritone sax include Harry Carney, Pepper Adams, Valentin Alvarez, Bruce Kapler, Lou Marini and LeRoi Moore. ” In conclusion the Baritone Sax is a beautiful instrument that should be appreciated. Giving such a beautiful tone. By far the baritone sax is my favourite saxophone giving it shape, color, quality of tone and pitch, and allowing a player to have the control to play with dynamics. I hope you have learned alittle more about my instrument thank you.