The Choice of Legends, the Voice of Every Musician
From Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane to Stan Getz and Sonny Rollins, generations of distinctive voices have made Selmer Paris saxophones part of their musical journeys. Benny Goodman found his own voice on a Selmer clarinet. Today, artists including Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Melissa Aldana, Steve Coleman, and Camille Thurman continue to explore new musical territory with Henri Selmer Paris. These musicians do not share a single sound. Each has found in their instrument the freedom to develop their own voice.
Carrying Forward the Vision of the Saxophone’s Inventor
Henri Selmer Paris introduced its first saxophone in 1922. In 1929, they acquired the workshops of Adolphe Sax, the visionary instrument maker who invented the saxophone, becoming the successor to his historic enterprise. Rather than preserving this inheritance unchanged, Henri Selmer Paris continued to move the instrument forward. Introduced in 1936, the Balanced Action brought completely redesigned keywork and an architecture that helped define the modern saxophone. The Mark VI followed in 1954, quickly becoming a benchmark for generations of players and influencing saxophone design throughout the industry. That inventive spirit continues today. Current collections include Axos, a versatile introduction to the Henri Selmer Paris saxophone experience; Signature, designed for responsiveness, flexibility, and tonal breadth; and Supreme, the most advanced expression of the House’s acoustic, mechanical, and ergonomic research.
Every Register, One French Manufacturer
Henri Selmer Paris is the only manufacturer in the world to produce the complete families of both saxophones and clarinets, from sopranino to bass saxophones and from E-flat to contrabass clarinets. This exceptional breadth is complemented by extensive collections of mouthpieces and reeds along with a wide choice of saxophone finishes. Across the entire range, acoustic research and mechanical development meet specialized manufacturing skills. Forming, machining, soldering, assembling, engraving, adjusting, and testing are not decorative traditions; they are essential stages in creating instruments that respond with accuracy and consistency.
Clarinet Making from the Very Beginning
The clarinet stands at the origin of Henri Selmer Paris. Founded by a professional clarinetist, the company has continued to develop the instrument through close collaboration between musicians, instrument makers, engineers, and acousticians. The current collections include instruments tailored to the different stages of a musician’s development, from Prologue, designed to support advancing clarinetists, to professional models such as Présence, Signature, and Muse. Each offers its own balance of response, resistance, projection, and tonal character while sharing the same commitment to acoustic precision and freedom of expression.
From the First Vibration to Your Sound
Sound begins with a vibration. The reed sets it in motion; the mouthpiece shapes its response and character; and the instrument brings it to life. Henri Selmer Paris applies its acoustic expertise across this complete relationship. Its mouthpiece collections include designs such as Focus and Concept for clarinet and S80, S90, Soloist, Concept, Jazz Flow, and Density for saxophone. Each offers a different relationship between air, embouchure, response, and tonal color. Henri Selmer Paris reeds expand tonal possibilities even further for clarinetists and saxophonists by offering consistency and control, ultimately creating a setup perfectly suited to a musician’s unique playing style. In short, a Selmer instrument does not define the musician’s sound; it creates the conditions for that sound to emerge.
Made to Be Played, Built to Endure
A Henri Selmer Paris instrument is created for years of rehearsals, performances, recordings, and musical development. Its construction allows it to be maintained, adjusted, and repaired throughout its playing life. Many historic Selmer Paris instruments remain in active use decades after leaving the factory, and an established pre-owned market reflects their enduring musical relevance. More than a purchase for today, a Henri Selmer Paris instrument is an investment in a musician’s sound, progress, and musical life — an instrument to grow with, care for, and perhaps one day pass on.
Find the Instrument That Fits Your Voice
Explore Henri Selmer Paris saxophones, clarinets, mouthpieces, and reeds or speak with your Sweetwater Sales Engineer to find the instrument or setup that responds with your sound.
