Soprillo

A soprillo

The soprillo, a piccolo or sopranissimo saxophone, is the world's smallest saxophone. It is pitched in B-flat, one octave above the soprano saxophone, and its upper register extends to a fifth above the sopranino saxophone. Due to its small size, the upper octave key has to be placed in the mouthpiece and no existing parts could be used. Due to construction difficulties that come with building an instrument so small, only recently has a true sopranissimo saxophone been produced. The soprillo is 12 inches in length (13 inches with the mouthpiece).

Because it is so small and requires such a tight embouchure, the soprillo is very difficult to play. It often takes months for professional soprano and sopranino sax players to be able to play the highest notes. However, once mastered, it is a good addition to saxophone choirs and has great potential as a solo instrument.

The soprillo is manufactured exclusively by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim. It is available for purchase at the http://sax.co.uk website; the price is approximately US$2,900 (including tax).

A soprillo, with tape measure showing scale

External links

[Soprillo page] from Benedikt Eppelsheim site
[The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain (NSC)] Hear the soprillo in action with other members of the saxophone family
[Soprillo.com - Getting high on the world's smallest saxophone!] Find out more about Nigel Wood and his soprillo.
[Jay C. Easton - modern and unusual woodwinds] Jay C. Easton's strange saxes page; includes pictures and sound clips of his soprillo.
[Online saxophone shop selling soprillo]

Listening

[Soprillo MP3s] from Benedikt Eppelsheim site

Soprillo

External links

Listening

See also