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Alto saxophones and the role they play.Alto saxophones are prominent members of the saxophone family. The alto is the most popular among classical performers and composers. In fact most classical players focus mainly on the alto. It is the fourth in size of the sax family. The smallest saxophone is the sopranissimo or soprillo, followed by the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, and the largest is the subcontrabass.
Most alto saxophones range from concert D-flat below middle C to concert D-flat three octaves higher. But few have mastered the higher notes in the altissimo register. The alto is not played exactly as the music is written. You have to do some transposing. The treble clef is read in the key of E-flat. So instead of playing a written C, you play E-flat.Altos play a major role in concert, funk, jazz, pop, blues, and rock music. Alto and tenor saxophones are the most prominent siblings of the family. But while the tenor appears to be the most dominant instrument, the role played by the alto during the Swing Era cannot be ignored. The alto played a leading role in the evolution of Jazz. Charlie Parker, an alto saxophonist, was one of the most influential bebop pioneers of the 1940s. Many saxophonists have been known to double successfully on alto and tenor. Popular alto and tenor players included David Fathead, Newman, Sonny Stitt, James Moody, and Frank Wess. Other great saxophone players include Art Pepper, Marcel Mule, Sigurd Raschèr, Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Jackie McLean, "Cannonball" Adderley, and Paul Desmond. Further Reading: Saxophones homepage.
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