How Is Sound Produced in a Soprano Saxophone?
Reed The essence of the soprano saxophone’s sound begins in the mouthpiece with a piece called a reed. The reed is a thin strip of bamboo cane. This fragile piece is so temperamental and fragile that it must be replaced on a regular basis. The reed is positioned in a special groove cut into the side of the semi-conical mouthpiece. When the player plays, she holds the mouthpiece tight between her lips and blows a focused, high-pressure stream of air which vibrates the reed, creating a high-pitched, buzzing sound. The reed must be thoroughly soaked beforehand in order for this to work, as this makes it sufficiently flexible. Body The piercing, high-pitched sound made by a reed and mouthpiece alone is not enough to create the pitched sounds of the saxophone. This sound has a very narrow pitch range and is generally thought to be unpleasant to listen to on its own. In order to become music, the mouthpiece must connect to the body of the saxophone. The body of the saxophone is essentially a
