The alto saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a family of woodwind instruments invented by Adolphe Sax. The alto is the third smallest of the saxophone family, which consists of ten sizes of saxophone. The alto is the most common size of saxophone, and is also the size most commonly included in classical compositions. The saxophone was not immediately used in the musical community. The saxophone had to wait many years before its potential was recognized. It gained its reputation in American jazz movement, and ever since has been becoming more and more popular. Previous Articles: The clarinet is one of the most versatile orchestral instruments. It was first developed from the chalumeau (a simple, single reed instrument made of wood) around 1700 by German instrument-maker J.C. Denner. Over a period of 20 years the clarinet became distinguishable from the chalumeau by its separate mouthpiece, bell and the addition of extra keys which enabled to play higher notes. In the 1840’s, the Boehm system of keys (which were already being used on the flute) were added to the clarinet, making it the one we see and play today. Clarinets have the largest pitch range of all common instruments in the woodwind family. There are 6 different modern clarinets: Eb, Bb, A, Alto, Bass and Contrabass.     The flute is the oldest known instrument in the woodwind family, dating back to the 9th century B.C. There are several different types of flutes: 1. End Blown Flutes (held like a clarinet) are especially common to South America and Asia and despite a simple appearance are actually quite difficult to play as they only have 2 – 6 finger holes and no other keys. These flutes do not have mouthpieces either, only an open upper end. 2. A Whistle Flute is an End Blown Flute but has a mouthpiece. This type of flute can be made of clay, wood, cane or metal. The most familiar European version is the recorder. These flutes also have 2 – 6 finger holes. 3. Vessel Flutes are characterized by their body shape, an ocarina is an example of a Vessel Flute. They can be any shape and size and can be made of many different materials from fruit shells to clay to copper.   4. A Side Blown Flute is a one piece cylinder pipe with a blow hole on the side. This type of flute is usually held to the right of the player and is often made of wood or bamboo. Side Blown Flutes originated in Asia in the 9th century B.C. 5. A Fife is a small side blown flute and has been associated with military music from the 16th century forward. A small version of the B flat flute started to replace the Fife from about the 1850’s.   6. The Nose Flute is a unique instrument and hence it’s name, is played by blowing air through your nose into the instrument. This instrument is found mainly in the Polynesia area. 7. The recorder is a type of Whistle Flute, as mentioned above, and was a very important instrument in renaissance and baroque music. In around 1750, the recorder however lost popularity and was replaced by the Transverse Flute and instrument maker, Arnold Dolmetsch revived the Recorder in 1919. The Recorder has remained virtually the same in appearance and is often used as a first instrument in schools for beginning musicians.   8. Orchestral Flutes also known as the Western Classical Flute are a side blown flute and first reached Europe in the 12th century. In the middle ages, this flute was mainly used in military bands but by the middle of the 17th century, had become a most important instrument in opera and orchestras. Major design changes to the Western Flute were made in the late 17th century by the French Hotteterre family and most importantly by Theobald Boehm of Munich in the early 1830’s. His design is the one that we see today in orchestras and bands, including our own band. Western Flutes are made of wood or metal and are now played all over the world.