The sopranino saxophone, a rare type of saxophone, is on the high end of the register for the set of various saxophone instruments. The saxophone is a horn that is in the woodwind family. It is a brass instrument, and manufacturers provide it with an array of musical ranges. The sopranino saxophone has a range that is about an octave above that of the soprano saxophone.
In terms of its manufactured pitch, the sopranino saxophone has a key of E. flat. This smaller saxophone is thinner and has a smaller mouth than the traditional middle C saxophone. It also lacks the curved shape of that conventional saxophone that is popular as an accompaniment in various musical genres. The sopranino saxophone still has similar controls, made up of brass buttons and bars, although experts note that on this very small saxophone, manufacturing these controls can be exceedingly difficult.
In addition to the difficulty in manufacturing the sopranino saxophone, musicians will find that very few manufacturers even make this instrument. Its production is specific to certain areas of the world, and its use is rarely called upon in the standard repertoire. For this and other reasons, sopraninos tend to be rather expensive.
Music experts have often likened the sopranino to a clarinet. In terms of size and register, this comparison can be made, though saxophone enthusiasts point out that the sopranino sax has a different timbre and voice specific to the saxophone family. Overall, it is a specific horn with its own unique utility in a band or orchestra.
To many of those professionals who use it, the sopranino saxophone has its own repertoire. This instrument is particularly useful for a variety of songs that correspond to its high E flat register. Some of these songs, like Mozart’s Queen of the Night aria form The Magic Flute, are familiar to many classical music listeners as melodies that are also sung in an operatic style. The repeating high notes and motifs of this piece make it a favorite for many sopranino saxophone players.
Other songs that are often played on the sopranino version of the saxophone have different types of melodic resonance. Along with brighter, more Ionian or major works, some of the songs in the sopranino sax repertoire are more Aeolian, or melancholy in their sound. Both the major and minor sounds can be achieved in a crisp, fresh way with this high quality, high register woodwind instrument.