The saxophone (also referred to simply as sax) is a conical-bored transposing musical instrument which is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and are played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1841. He wanted to create an instrument that would both be the most powerful and vocal of the woodwinds and the most adaptive of the brass, which would fill the then vacant middle ground between the two sections. He patented the sax in 1846 in two groups of seven instruments each. Each series consisted of instruments of various sizes in alternating transposition. The series pitched in B♭ and E♭, designed for military bands, has proved extremely popular and most saxophones encountered today are from this series. A few saxophones remain from the less popular orchestral series pitched in C and F.

While proving very popular in its intended niche of military band music, the saxophone is most commonly associated with popular music, big band music, blues, early rock and roll, ska and particularly jazz. There is also a substantial repertoire of concert music in the classical idiom for the members of the saxophone family. Saxophone players are called saxophonists.

For more information on the saxophone, please browse these additional topics:

1. History of the saxophone
2. Description of the saxophone
3. Materials used to make the saxophone
4. Mouthpiece and reed for the sax
5. Use of the saxophone
6. Ensembles with the saxophone
7. Related instruments to the saxophone
8. Music and compositions for the saxophone
9. Famous saxophone players
10. Saxophone fingering chart
11. Buy saxophone CDs, MP3 downloads and music