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Tenor saxophone
Woodwind instrument
Classification
Single-reed
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
422.212-71 (Single-reed aerophone with keys)
Inventor(s)
Adolphe Sax
Developed
1840s
Playing range
Tenor saxophone in B♭ sounds an octave and a major second lower than written. Most can reach high F♯ or higher, using altissimo fingerings.
Related instruments
Sizes:
Soprillo
Sopranino
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Contrabass
Subcontrabass
Orchestral saxophones:
C soprano
Mezzo-soprano
C melody
Specialty saxophones:
Aulochrome
Tubax
Musicians
See list of saxophonists
Tenor (right) and soprano saxophones, showing their comparative sizes
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B♭ (while the alto is pitched in the key of E♭), and written as a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding an octave and a major second lower than the written pitch. Modern tenor saxophones which have a high F♯ key have a range from A♭2 to E5 (concert) and are therefore pitched one octave below the soprano saxophone. People who play the tenor saxophone are known as "tenor saxophonists", "tenor sax players", or "saxophonists".
The tenor saxophone uses a larger mouthpiece, reed and ligature than the alto and soprano saxophones. Visually, it is easily distinguished by the curve in its neck, or its crook, near the mouthpiece. The alto saxophone lacks this and its neck goes straight to the mouthpiece. The tenor saxophone is most recognized for its ability to blend well with the soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones, with its "husky" yet "bright" tone.
The tenor sax has been an important solo instrument in jazz music. Famous and influential players include Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter. The work of younger players such as Michael Brecker and Chris Potter has been an important influence in more recent jazz.[1]
^"JJA Jazz Awards 2014: 2013 JJA Jazz Awards Winners". JJA Jazz Awards 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
The tenorsaxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto...
instruments. The saxophones in widest use are the B♭ soprano, E♭ alto, B♭ tenor, and E♭ baritone. The E♭ sopranino and B♭ bass saxophone are typically used...
third-smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists (from smallest to largest) of the sopranissimo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass...
baritone saxophone (sometimes abbreviated to "bari sax") is a member of the saxophone family of instruments, larger (and lower-pitched) than the tenor saxophone...
melody saxophone, also known as the C tenorsaxophone, is a saxophone pitched in the key of C one whole tone above the common B-flat tenorsaxophone. The...
works for saxophone. Duo Concertante, for soprano and alto saxophones—Jean-Baptiste Singelée (1858) Fantasia for soprano (or tenor) saxophone, three horns...
(album) 1982 Combat Rock by The Clash (incl. "Sean Flynn" with Tenor/Electric Saxophone and Flute by Gary Barnacle) (album) 1982 Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg...
The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭, smaller than the B♭ tenor but larger than the B♭ soprano. It is the most common saxophone and is used...
one on tenor doubling on B♭ soprano. Recordings by tenorsaxophone virtuoso James Houlik and others notwithstanding, classical tenorsaxophone recordings...
for the Tenor Madness session. This included, on the title cut only, fellow saxophonist Coltrane. Both were emerging as prominent tenorsaxophone players...
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...
Coltrane in the Melody Masters. Although he started on alto saxophone, he began playing tenorsaxophone in 1947 with Eddie Vinson. Coltrane called this a time...
Hawkins biographer John Chilton described the prevalent styles of tenorsaxophone solos prior to Hawkins as "mooing" and "rubbery belches". Hawkins denied...
original patented saxophone family, as developed by Adolphe Sax, included E♭ and B♭ saxophones in the voices of sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass...
saxophonists are musicians who play various types of saxophones (alto saxophone, tenorsaxophone, baritone saxophone etc.) in jazz and its associated subgenres...
Melissa Aldana (born 3 December 1988) is a Chilean tenorsaxophone player, who performs both as a soloist and with her band Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio...
The Selmer Mark VI is a saxophone produced from 1954 to 1981. Production shifted to the Mark VII for the tenor and alto in the mid-1970s (see discussion...
meet a commitment at the Café Bohemia in July with Sonny Rollins on tenorsaxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones...
soprano saxophone, flute), Oliver Lake (alto and soprano saxophone), Hamiet Bluiett (baritone saxophone, alto clarinet), and David Murray (tenorsaxophone, bass...
pianist, then switched to alto saxophone after being inspired by Louis Jordan and finally switched to tenorsaxophone in 1946, influenced by his idol...
June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenorsaxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with...
early practitioner of world music. Early in his career, he also played tenorsaxophone and clarinet (including bass clarinet), but Mann was among the first...
Soulful Saxophone (Chess, 1959) As co-leader with Sonny Stitt Kaleidoscope (Prestige, 1957) – compilation Boss Tenors in Orbit! (Verve, 1962) Boss Tenors: Straight...
Roland Kirk, was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenorsaxophone, flute, and many other instruments. He was renowned for his onstage...
– tenorsaxophone (1975-???) Bob Kalach – tenorsaxophone Stan Harrison – tenorsaxophone Jerry Vivno – tenorsaxophone Frank Elmo – tenorsaxophone Tony...
1964-2014; died 2023) Tommy McCook – tenorsaxophone, flute (founding member; died 1998) Roland Alphonso – tenorsaxophone (founding member; died 1998) Don...
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