Saxophone
the name of a family of musical instruments invented by A.
Sax (see SAXHORN). They consist of a conical brass tube, sounded by a mouthpiece furnished with a single reed similar to that of the clarinet, and are made in as many different keys as the saxhorn.
The contralto and baritone are mostly used in Great Britain; but in France all the varieties are more or less used. They have 20 holes covered by keys and studs for the first three fingers of each hand, and are all fingered alike. They are greatly valued in military music, but are not much used in the orchestra.