The saxophone is more than just a shiny brass instrument you see in jazz bands or orchestras. It is an icon.
With its golden curves and unmistakable voice, the sax has moved audiences for nearly two centuries. But behind its sultry sound lies a treasure chest of history, eccentric stories, and surprising twists that most people have never heard about.
So, let’s dive into 10 fascinating facts you probably didn’t know about the saxophone that will surprise you and make you fall in love with this remarkable instrument all over again.
1. The saxophone is a woodwind — even though it’s made of brass
Most saxophones are made of shiny brass, which tricks many into thinking they belong in the brass family.
In reality, the saxophone is a woodwind instrument, because sound is created with a single reed mouthpiece, just like the clarinet.
This unusual blend of brass construction and woodwind design gives it its unique voice — bold, powerful, and yet capable of delicate expression.
Photo credit: "Adolphe Sax" by Unknown Author. Licensed under "Public Domain".
2. Adolphe Sax invented 14 different saxophones
When Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone in 1846, he didn’t just create one instrument, he imagined an entire family of them.
In fact, his original designs covered 14 different sizes, ranging from the tiny sopranino, which could practically fit under your arm, to the mammoth contrabass, taller than some of its players.
Today, most people are only familiar with the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.
But Sax was a visionary who wanted his invention to cover the entire range of the orchestra, from soaring highs to thunderous lows.
Even though not all of his models survived the test of time, his ambition gave the saxophone family a breadth and depth unmatched by most instruments.
3. Saxophone was designed to bridge brass and woodwinds
Sax’s genius idea was to fill a gap he had noticed in military and orchestral bands.
Brass instruments like trumpets were powerful and commanding, but they lacked the warmth of woodwinds.
On the other hand, flutes and clarinets were smooth and lyrical but didn’t project enough in outdoor performances.
His solution? The saxophone — an instrument that could combine the power of brass with the expressiveness of woodwinds.
This dual nature gave military bands a completely new sound palette, rich and vibrant.
Even today, when you hear a sax in a big band or orchestra, you can sense how it bridges worlds. Its voice is both commanding and lyrical, bold yet sensitive.
Photo credit: "Saxotromba" by scan from: G. Kastner (1810 - 1867): Manuel général de musique militaire 1848. Licensed under Public Domain
4. The saxophone was patented in 1846
The official birthdate of the saxophone is 28 June 1846, when Adolphe Sax secured his patent in Paris.
At the time, his invention was unlike anything the musical world had ever seen.
It had a conical brass body, fingerings inspired by the flute, and a reed mouthpiece modelled after the clarinet.
This combination was revolutionary. French composer Hector Berlioz, known for his adventurous orchestration, quickly became one of Sax’s champions.
He praised the instrument’s ability to be both tender and heroic — a dual personality that remains its hallmark to this day.
Yet despite Berlioz’s enthusiasm, it would take decades for the saxophone to carve out a permanent place in the musical landscape.
5. The saxophone was originally meant for military and classical music
These days, the saxophone is synonymous with jazz, from smoky clubs to improvisations and cool blue notes.
But when Sax created it, jazz didn’t even exist.
His vision was very different: he designed the saxophone for military bands and classical ensembles.
Military leaders loved the sax right away. It was loud enough to cut through the sound of marching drums, but also expressive enough to add colour and depth.
Classical composers were more cautious, though a few, such as Bizet in his L’Arlésienne suite, embraced it.
Ironically, the very genre that would make the saxophone world-famous, jazz, didn’t adopt it until the early 20th century, long after Sax had passed away.
6. Marcel Mule elevated the saxophone’s classical reputation
For decades, the saxophone was regarded as a novelty. It was fun for marching bands and later adored in jazz, but it was not considered “serious” enough for the concert hall.
Enter Marcel Mule, a French virtuoso who almost single-handedly changed that perception in the mid-20th century.
Mule treated the saxophone with the same respect a violinist gives to Bach or a pianist to Chopin.
He performed dazzling transcriptions of classical works and inspired composers to write original pieces for the instrument.
Thanks to his artistry, the saxophone gained credibility as a legitimate classical instrument.
Today, classical saxophonists around the world owe a debt to Mule’s tireless work in elevating its reputation.
7. The saxophone struggled to find a place in the orchestra
Despite Mule’s heroic efforts, the saxophone never became a mainstay of the orchestra.
Some composers adored it. Ravel famously used it in Boléro, and Debussy wrote for it as well. But many conductors saw it as too unusual or too closely tied to jazz.
Instead, the saxophone found its true home elsewhere. In the hands of jazz legends like Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and John Coltrane, it became the voice of an era — smoky, soulful, and endlessly expressive.
Ironically, the rejection it faced in classical music pushed it towards the genre that would make it immortal.
Photo credit: "Bell Of A Selmer Mark Vi Alto Saxophone Within The 80,000 Serial Number Range" by Jmm1713 at English Wikipedia. Licensed under Public Domain.
8. The Selmer Mark VI is a legend among musicians
Ask any professional saxophonist about their dream instrument, and chances are they’ll mention the Selmer Mark VI.
Produced in France between 1954 and 1974, the Mark VI is widely considered the finest saxophone ever made.
Its balance of ergonomics, craftsmanship, and tone made it the instrument of choice for countless legends, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Stan Getz.
Today, vintage Mark VIs are coveted treasures.
They often sell for more than $10,000, and many players swear by their unparalleled sound.
Even though modern instruments are built with precision, the Mark VI has acquired an almost mythical status, a symbol of the golden age of jazz.
Photo credit: "Ronald E. McNair (Ph.D.), NASA Astronaut" by NASA/JSC. Licensed under Public Domain.
9. A saxophone was intended to be played in space!
In 1984, astronaut and jazz musician Dr Ronald “Ron” McNair carried his saxophone aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. (He had planned to become the first person to play a saxophone in space!)
McNair’s dream went further — in 1986 he planned to perform a piece by Jean-Michel Jarre live from orbit during the Challenger’s next mission.
This would have been the first piece of music broadcast from space to Earth!
Tragically, the Challenger disaster cut this vision short.
Jarre later dedicated the track Rendez-Vous VI — now known as “Ron’s Piece” — to McNair’s memory.
His story remains one of the most poignant chapters in the saxophone’s history.
Photo credit: "Grafton saxophone" by Nabokov (talk). Required citation is: "Photo by Tom Oates, 2009". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
10. The most expensive saxophone ever sold belonged to Charlie Parker
Not all saxophones are created equal. Some carry extraordinary stories.
In 1994, Charlie “Bird” Parker’s plastic Grafton alto saxophone was sold at Christie’s in London for an astonishing £93,500 (around £200,000 today with inflation).
Parker had played this very instrument at the legendary 1953 Jazz at Massey Hall concert, a performance often described as “the greatest jazz concert ever.”
The Grafton was made from acrylic plastic as a cheaper alternative to brass, and most musicians dismissed it.
But in Parker’s hands, it became iconic.
Today, this saxophone sits in the American Jazz Museum, not just as a quirky experiment in instrument-making, but as a priceless symbol of jazz history.
Why the saxophone still captivates
The saxophone’s history is a story of resilience and reinvention.
Born from the imagination of a Belgian inventor, embraced by military bands, resisted by orchestras, immortalised in jazz, and even played in space, it has lived a life as colourful as the music it creates.
At LMT Music Academy, we celebrate this incredible instrument every day.
Our teachers are passionate specialists who love sharing their expertise with adults of all levels.
Whether you’re picking up the saxophone for the first time or aiming to refine your sound like a professional, we’ll help you discover the joy of this truly remarkable instrument.
