Why are saxophones in different keys

Because the saxophone is a transposing instrument, when changing from one instrument to another, such as from an alto to a tenor, playing the same score will produce different actual sounds. ... This arrangement was originally conceived with the intention of making saxophone fingerings easier.

1. Can a saxophone play in any key?
2. Why are instruments pitched in different keys?
3. Why is saxophone transpose?
4. What key is best for saxophone?

Can a saxophone play in any key?

The saxophone is a transposing instrument.

We refer to those instruments that don't transpose as being in “Concert” key or the key of C.

Why are instruments pitched in different keys?

This happens because the horn traditionally did not have valves so the composers wrote the parts in different keys to accommodate the music. The horn player would have to add additional pipes (or crooks) to pitch the horn differently for different pieces or different movements within the same piece.

Why is saxophone transpose?

As several people alluded, the various saxophones are not pitched in octaves, so if we all played in concert pitch, you'd have to learn a new fingering system for alto and tenor saxes (and baritone would probably be in bass clef). That's a drag, so we learn to transpose when we need to speak to other musicians.

What key is best for saxophone?

Soprano Saxophone – This is a small saxophone pitched in the key of B-flat, and has a straight body, similar to the clarinet. Alto Saxophone – This is the most commonly performed saxophone that is pitched in the key of E-flat and sounds one octave lower than the sopranino saxophone.