Jazz Saxophone 101: Where Did It Come From? Where Did It Go?
The Birth of The Sax “The saxophone is only a few instruments in wide use today known to be invented by a single individual,” (Yamaha). In 1841 Adolphe Sax threw himself into the invention of the saxophone. At the age of 24 Sax created the saxophone in Belgium. He aimed for “integrating the projection of brass instruments, with the flexibility of woodwinds,” ( Lacey-Corcoran). It's said that Sax began this invention of the brass instrument due to the loss of 8 of his siblings. Sax also wanted an instrument that could blend nicely with a string orchestra and create a unique sound. Unhappy with the sound of the instrument Sax switched the brass mouthpiece with a bass clarinet mouthpiece. The body of the instrument was also switched from a tube to brass due to the fact that it was harder to the shape with a tube and unsuccessful with a wood body. Sax also put a 15 year patent on the instrument and unfortunately had to fight opponents of his design for almost 20 years. Out of Sax’s ori...