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The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument. The soprano is the second in size of the sax family which consists, as generally accepted, (from smallest to largest) of sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, and subcontrabass. (Benedickt Eppelheim has constructed a new "Soprillio" saxophone, which sounds an octave above soprano.) Of these, only the soprano through baritone are commonly used. The less tubing an instrument has, the higher the sounds. Pitched in the key of Bb, it plays an octave above the commonly used tenor saxophone. There is also a soprano pitched in C, which is less common. In bands and orchestras, soprano saxophones are little used, and to an "unenlightened" public, the soprano may seem like a spiffed-up clarinet. The soprano's reputation is a little scarred because some musicians only choose to exploit the high register of the soprano, rather then listen to the beautiful, warm low register, which has a clarinet-like warm tone quality. It generally has a louder and more penetrating sound than the clarinet in the extreme high notes. Due to its similarity in tone to the instrument, the soprano saxophone is sometimes used as a substitute for the oboe.
Musicians especially known for playing the soprano saxophone include jazz musicians Sidney Bechet, John Coltrane and smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G.
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