This is an Eb Alto Saxophone. It's tuned in Eb, so if you were to play a concert Eb, you would play a C on the alto sax. It is six tones higher than the concert key, so you transpose six notes up on the alto. The alto sax is one of the more common saxophone that most sax players play. It is bigger, and curved than the (straight) soprano, and so it has a lower pitch than the soprano. Most beginner sax players would start out on the alto sax, as it is small enough for kids to hold (unlike the bulky tenor or baritone), and it is easy to play or start of with (compared to the soprano).
As compared to the soprano, the alto is easier to control, due to it's large bore. Less pressure is needed to make it sound in tune and that makes it easier to develop a strong embouchure on the alto and tenor.
The alto saxophone has had a very long history. It is probably the first few saxophones to go in to the early marching bands and classical symphony orchestras. When the saxophone entered in to the jazz world, the alto adapted easily, and most jazz saxophone players then played on the alto (and the tenor). Early jazz alto players include Benny Carter, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Parker, Albert Ayler, Eric Dolphy, Julian "Cannonball" Adderly, Sonny Stitt, and more. Some of the more recent pioneers of the alto sax include Jackie Mclean, Kenny Garrett, Ornette Coleman, Steve Coleman, Hank Crawford, David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, and more. By far, the alto is one of the more versatile saxophone in the music world.
Famous alto sax players:
Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderly, Jackie Mclean, David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Sonny Stitt, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Carter, Albert Ayler, Eric Dolphy, Steve Coleman, Bobby Watson, Antonio Hart, Maceo Parker, Nelson Rangell, Dave Koz, and more. (if there's anyone I missed out, do e-mail me with names so I can put them in, too!)
Other notable alto players:
Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis, Art Porter, John Coltrane, Vincent Herring, Grover Washington Jr., and more.
Saxophone pictures
courtesy of Selmer.
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