Saxophone Factory Tour 9

Q&A

question What are saxophones made of?

answer Saxophones are primarily made of brass, which is an alloy consisting of approximately 70 percent copper and 30 percent zinc. Copper alloys are widely used in wind instruments because they are less corrosive and easier to machine than iron and other metals, and have better tonal qualities.

question Do you use different manufacturing processes on high-end models and standard models?

answer On high-end models (Custom and pro models), we use a one-piece bell for rich, resonant sound. We use a two-piece bell for other models.

How is pitch produced?

answer Pitch is produced by opening and closing the tone holes with the pads to change the effective length of the pipe.

question What are the pads made of?

answer A pad consists of a felt disk covered with calfskin. Pads are used to close the tone holes on woodwind instruments.

Why is the saxophone considered a woodwind instrument even though it is made of metal?

answer Woodwind is a general term for musical instruments that were originally made of wood. Nowadays woodwind instruments are distinguished from brass wind instruments based on the sound production principles they employ. In woodwind instruments, the sound production source is contained in the instrument itself, whereas in brass wind instruments the sound is produced by the player's lips.

	What are saxophones made of?
	Saxophones are primarily made of brass, which is an alloy consisting of approximately 70 percent copper and 30 percent zinc. Copper alloys are widely used in wind instruments because they are less corrosive and easier to machine than iron and other metals, and have better tonal qualities.

	Do you use different manufacturing processes on high-end models and standard models?
	On high-end models (Custom and pro models), we use a one-piece bell for rich, resonant sound. We use a two-piece bell for other models.

	How is pitch produced?
	Pitch is produced by opening and closing the tone holes with the pads to change the effective length of the pipe.

	What are the pads made of?
	A pad consists of a felt disk covered with calfskin. Pads are used to close the tone holes on woodwind instruments.

	Why is the saxophone considered a woodwind instrument even though it is made of metal?
	Woodwind is a general term for musical instruments that were originally made of wood. Nowadays woodwind instruments are distinguished from brass wind instruments based on the sound production principles they employ. In woodwind instruments, the sound production source is contained in the instrument itself, whereas in brass wind instruments the sound is produced by the player's lips.