The alto saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a family of woodwind instruments invented by Adolphe Sax. The alto is the third smallest of the saxophone family, which consists of over eight sizes of saxophone (see saxophone). The alto is the most common size of saxophone, and is also the size most commonly composed for by classical composers.

Of the people who learn to play saxophone, most begin on alto. The second most common size of saxophone is the tenor; most tenor players started on alto and switched to tenor after a few years.

The alto saxophone is a transposing instrument and reads the treble clef in the key of E♭ (that is to say, a written C for the alto will sound as E♭; concert, a major sixth lower).

The range of the alto saxophone is from concert D♭; (D♭;3) to concert A♭; (A♭5) (or A5 on altos with a high F# key). The range as written for the player is B♭3 to F6 (or F#6). An additional upper range, known as the altissimo register, begins at F# and extends upwards for an octave or more. However, this range is commonly mastered only by advanced players.

Notable alto saxophonists include Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Phil Woods, Vince Wild, Art Pepper, Marcel Mule, Sigurd Raschèr, Lee Konitz, "Cannonball" Adderley, Jackie McLean, Joe Harriott, Eric Dolphy, Gigi Gryce, Paul Desmond, Maceo Parker, Donald Sinta, Eugene Rousseau, Marshall Allen and Fela Kuti. The alto saxophone is included in classical music more often than the tenor, and many concertos for alto exist. The alto has great versatility and is used commonly in concert, jazz, funk, blues, pop, marching bands, and rock music.

Some companies that currently produce saxophones are Buffet Crampon, Cannonball, Jupiter, Selmer, Yamaha, Vito/Leblanc, and Yanagisawa. New alto saxophones range in price between US$1000 and US$5000

See also

• Saxophone
• List of saxophonists

Saxophones

Alt saxofon | Altsaxophon | Saxophone alto | Altsaxofoon | Altsaksofon | Altovski saksofon