Contrabass Saxophone
"Contrabass saxophone? Yeah, it's big. But I've seen bigger"
The Contrabass Saxophone. Of the different types of saxohpone in the saxophone family this is one big saxophone. At around 6 1/2 feet long it is the biggest around today. (A true working version of the Sub-Contrabass has never been built) Contrabass is a general term and in relation to the sax only actually means it is pitched one octave below bass. It is currently being made by those wonderful fellows at Benedikt Eppelshiem and the sound is truly amazing. It's worth a trip to the site just to hear and see it being played. (They have video examples) Again I have never had the pleasure. They are a rare instrument with production per year in single figures and a total world wide presence numbering in the 20's. A Big Saxophone!
Photograph by kind courtesey of Angeline Evans. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo/ I can only imagine at the breath support required to hit the lower notes. The fingerings look quite comfortable though. A price I've seen being thrown around is as much as $45,000. Not really an instrument for beginners or to 'have a quick go' on, althoguh I would love to. It has a rather hefty weight of about 45 pounds and from what I've seen is played whilst it is on a stand which would make perfect sense. Good luck to anyone who wants one or has one. I am jealous. Saxophone TopicsSaxophone FamilyAlto Saxophones Piccolo Saxophone C Melody Saxophone Tenor Saxophones Cheap Saxophones Used Saxophones Leave Contrabass Saxophone and go to Homepage
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