Sopranissimo saxophone

The sopranissimo saxophone (also known as the piccolo or soprillo saxophone) is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone. Because of the difficulties in building such a small instrument—the soprillo is 30 cm (12 in) long, 33 cm (13 in) with the mouthpiece—it is only since the mid-2010s that a true sopranissimo saxophone has been able to be produced. The keywork only extends to a written E♭6 (sounding D♭7), rather than F, F♯, or sometimes G, like most saxophones, and the upper octave key has to be placed on the mouthpiece.

Sopranissimo saxophone
Woodwind instrument
Classification
Hornbostel–Sachs classification422.212-71
(Single-reeded aerophone with keys)
Inventor(s)Adolphe Sax
Developed28 June 1846[1]
Playing range

In B♭: sounds a minor seventh higher than written.
Sounding:
Related instruments

Military band family:

Orchestral family:

Other saxophones:

Musicians
More articles or information

The extremely small mouthpiece requires a small and focused embouchure, making the soprillo difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. There is very little market demand for soprillos, reducing the economy of scale and making the soprillo more expensive than more common saxophones like the alto or tenor.

As of 2015, soprillos were being manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim, and the retail price is approximately US$3,400.

See also

References
  1. "June 28, 1846: Parisian Inventor Patents Saxophone". Wired.com. Retrieved 14 February 2011.

Listening
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