The Origins of the Saxophone
The story behind the origins of the saxophone

The saxophone is one of the few instruments widely used today known to be invented by a single individual. His name was Adolphe Sax: that is why it is called the saxophone.
History tells us that Adolphe Sax (1814–1894) was a musical instrument designer born in Belgium who could play many wind instruments. His idea was to create an instrument that combined the best qualities of a woodwind instrument with the best qualities of a brass instrument, and in the 1840s he conceived the saxophone. This invention was patented in Paris in 1846.

Since it was first invented, the saxophone has always been made of brass. Because of the principles by which it produces sound, however, it is classified as a woodwind, much like the clarinet and flute.