#ORSI SAXOPHONE SERIES#

In some contemporary jazz/classical ensembles the contrabass saxophone doubles the baritone saxophone either at the same pitch or an octave below, depending on the register of the music. However, when these tones are reinforced by another instrument playing at the octave or fifteenth, they sound clearly defined and have tremendous resonance and presence.

#ORSI SAXOPHONE SERIES#

Because its deepest tones vibrate so slowly (as with the contrabassoon or pedal notes on a pipe organ) it can be difficult for listeners to perceive individual pitches at the bottom of its range instead of hearing a clearly delineated melody, listeners may instead hear a series of rattling tones with little pitch definition. Its middle and upper registers are warm, full, and expressive. It can be smooth and mellow, or harsh and buzzy depending on the player, and on the mouthpiece and reed combination used. Use Дue to its large body and wide bore, the sound of the contrabass saxophone has great acoustical presence and a very rich tone. Although still quite rare, perhaps partly due to its great expense, three manufacturers now produce contrabass saxophones: Benedikt Eppelsheim of Munich, Germany Romeo Orsi Wind Instruments of Milan, and JвЂ™Elle Stainer of SГЈo Paulo, Brazil. In recent years, however, the contrabass saxophone has experienced a resurgence in interest. By the onset of the Great Depression, the saxophone craze had ended, and the contrabass, already rare, almost disappeared from public view. Saxophone ensembles were also popular at this time, and the contrabass saxophone was an eye-catching novelty for the groups that were able to obtain one. Patrick Gilmore's famous American band roster included a contrabass saxophone in 1892, and at least a dozen of these instruments were built by the Evette-Schaeffer company for the US military bands in the early 20th century. By 1849, Sax was displaying contrabass through sopranino saxophones at exhibitions. The contrabass saxophone was part of the original saxophone family as conceived by Adolphe Sax, and is included in his saxophone patent of 1846, as well as in Kastner's concurrently published Methode for saxophone.