This is the Bb Soprano Saxophone. It is tuned in Bb, in other words, a concert Bb plays a C on the soprano, so it's basically just transposing one note higher from concert key. It is one of the more higher pitched saxophone, as it is smaller than other saxophones (after the sopranino). The traditional soprano sax is basically straight, much like a clarinet, but it definitely has a different sound from its wooden cousin. Of course, over the years, saxophone manufacturers have made different soprano saxes, such as the curved neck soprano, or the changeable-neck straight soprano, and last but not least, the curved soprano saxophone. With the curved neck and the curved soprano, the tone of the soprano differs from the straight soprano. The more curved the soprano, the more fatter sound it will have. The curved soprano, being the most curved would have the fattest, darker sound from it's straight counter-part.
As shown in the picture above, that's the curved soprano saxophone. It looks like and alto, except smaller, and its holding position would most likely be similar to the alto sax. I've tried one myself, and I thought it's pretty cool, and I just love the fat sound at the lower notes!
The soprano is definitely slightly more difficult to master than the alto or the tenor. The fact that it has a small bore, and the mouthpiece opening is small, there is much more air pressure going in, and that makes it difficult to get in tune. It needs more degree of control in the embouchure and air support. But the soprano does produce a sweet tone as compared to the bigger saxes.
In jazz, the soprano has made quite a cool history. One of the first few jazz players who introduced the soprano is Sidney Bechet. It was then laid low (or made as a double), until John Coltrane revolutionised the soprano sax in the jazz world with his famous soprano tune, My Favourite Things. On the other school, another famous soprano player who brought the soprano into the main scene is Steve Lacy. He takes on Sidney Bechet's influence, and also brought it into dixieland jazz, and later Thelonious Monk's music. Nevertheless, the soprano has since exposed in the limelight, and it was not until Kenny G, that the commercial music world was shook with his soprano sax playing. Kenny was not strictly jazz, like Coltrane, but it left quite an impression that the soprano may be one of the best saxophone when it comes to playing sentimental instrumentals, and fast lick numbers as well.
Famous soprano sax players:
John Coltrane, Sidney Bechet, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, Evan Parker, Kenny G, Wayne Shorter, Andy Sheppard, Najee, Grover Washington Jr., Jane Ira Bloom, Jane Bunnett, Branford Marsalis, Bill Evans and more.Other notable soprano players:
Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, Kenny Garrett, Antonio Hart, Courtney Pine, Joshua Redman, David Sanchez, Art Porter, and more.
Saxophone pictures
courtesy of LASax and Selmer.
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