Classification Aerophone Playing range Written Range: Related instruments Military band family: Contrabass saxophone Bass saxophone Baritone saxophone Tenor saxophone Alto saxophone Soprano saxophone Sopranino saxophone Orchestral family: C melody saxophone Mezzo-soprano C soprano saxophone Musicians List of saxophonists The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored musical instrument usually considered a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and are played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in the early 1840s, and patented in 1846 in two groups of seven instruments each. Within each group the instruments formed a logical series 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, and particularly jazz. Saxophone players are called saxophonists.