Alto Saxophone

The alto saxophone, or “alto sax,” is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. It is pitched in Eb, and is smaller than the tenor sax, but larger than the soprano sax. The range of the alto saxophone is from concert Db3 (the Db below middle C) to concert Ab5 (or A5 on altos with a high F# key). The saxophone fingerings are all universal, so a saxophone player can play any type of saxophone. The alto sax is the most common saxophone and is commonly used in classical music, military bands, marching bands, and jazz. The alto saxophone can also sometimes be heard in pop music.