On June 28, 1846 – 175 years ago today – Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone family as a group of eight (not seven, as is often erroneously stated) instruments. Of these eight “saxophones”, four remain in common use today: the soprano and tenor saxophones, both pitched in B-flat, and the alto and baritone saxophones, both pitched in E-flat.

The invention of the saxophone was a stunning achievement. Never before or since has a single individual created an entirely new family of instruments.

Today’s Music History Monday will focus on Adolphe Sax and his crazy life (I would tell that the guy had more lives than a feral cat and Wile E. Coyote combined). Tomorrow’s Dr. Bob Prescribes will focus on the actual instruments Sax invented (including the “saxotromba”, “saxhorn”, “saxtuba”, and the six-piston trombone), the challenges he experienced trying to have those instruments accepted by “the establishment” and, of course, some recommendations for some really scalding hot recordings of saxophone ensembles.… Continue reading, only on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/53048503