The World's Smallest Saxophone

[@saxworldwide]

Poor Michael 😥 What saxophone do you have nightmares about?

[@thrax1822]

the flute that always plays out of tune

[@cchino_Sax]

The almost mythical subcontrabass. Have you ever had one in stock?

[@Celica202]

Weltklangs...

[@bruhspenning]

I have hopes and dreams of a double sub-contrabass saxophone

[@teverwelsch9114]

@@Celica202 ja

[@Josh729]

I picked up one of these beauties several years ago and have performed with it. He's not kidding about the work that goes into it to have a presentable performance. Something I learned from Nigel Wood's website is the upper register has some unique intonation characteristics and will require slightly altered or entirely different fingerings to produce the desired notes. I think that's different from one soprillo to the next. Nigel's fingerings don't work on my saxophone. Starting at the B flat above the staff I have to finger the notes differently. That B flat I have to add the G# key to the A fingering to produce the correct note. From there, all of my notes are fingered with the fingerings for the note a half step lower. My B is fingered like I would normally finger B flat. It was a little confusing at first but I started thinking of it as a completely different instrument rather than another saxophone and that helped me overcome the mental hurdle of learning to play it. Having said that about the fingerings, that does mean my soprillo can reach the high E. I got so excited the day I hit it but my lip was screaming in agony! It has a gorgeous tone and adds a unique color to any ensemble you play it in. The journey and struggle to get there is completely worth it!

[@saxworldwide]

What a wonderful story thank you for sharing it, Brandon!

[@azxtnt]

Bro wrote an entire novel

[@NoHomerS]

Characteristics? They sound more like flaws if they vary from one to another. A well made instrument would have vary little variability from each one.

[@Josh729]

@@NoHomerS I won’t necessarily disagree with you about those being flaws. The thing is all saxophones and, for that matter, all instruments can have different intonations even from two in sequential order by serial number of the same instrument type of the same make and model. Most modern horns come closer to matching intonation but will always have differences because slight variations in the composition of the material used to make each instrument. The reason I like my soprillo so much is the tone. The tuning is just part of the process of learning your instrument.

[@ScottPaddock]

Great video! It actually didn't sound as high and squeaky as I thought it would. I can't imagine the craftsmanship that must go into making this instrument. Great job!

[@saxworldwide]

Cheers Scott!

[@kred2770]

If you just want to hear how it sounds, go straight to 6:44

[@ArtyOneTwo]

Well done Jim, it certainly made all the dogs pay attention 😂

[@saxworldwide]

Ha ha - thank you Nick

[@hb1338]

As Michael Flanders said, "it ought to please any passing bat".

[@Bebopopotamus]

It actually sounds great, especially for 20 minutes of experience

[@msguineapigsrus]

I’m an oboist and in college I self taught soprano saxophone (for jazz combo, at the request of my jazz piano professor, who said “it’s like an oboe, right?”). Never played any other sax. Wondering if I’d be good at soprillo. I always struggled on the soprano with my embouchure being too firm (oboe embouchure is very tight and firm), so sounds like I already have the embouchure for it developed lol.

[@saxworldwide]

Jim here. Well if it helps, I was also an oboist once upon a time (studied at music college etc) and possibly a little of my oboe experience helped me a little here - remembering the tighter embouchure and higher back pressure required for the job! So yes, you will probably be okay on a soprillo!

[@apolloskyfacer5842]

It would be nice if they make a C Soprano Saxophone. It'd be an interesting alternative to the Oboe. Well, certainly not in a Symphony orchestra, but perhaps in a Concert (Wind) Band.

[@km6206]

@@apolloskyfacer5842 'Well, certainly not in a Symphony orchestra' omg elitist, closed-minded...

[@apolloskyfacer5842]

@@km6206 This tiny Saxophone is nowhere near having a refined a tone as the Oboe. Go listen to a skilled Oboist. And listen in an honest way.

[@km6206]

@@apolloskyfacer5842 Whatever definition there may be of your 'refined' term is relative to the listener and culturally-dependent. You may also be using a circular definition like 'not in a symphony orchestra' because symphony have not had this instrument. And, that can be changed simply by adding them into symphony orchestras. Of course, if you are just saying that Mozart and the like didn't use this instrument, then no one can disagree with that, haha. Honest truth, for sooth!

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

This is a lovely instrument. It sounds very pretty indeed. Size-wise, it is not much shorter than the high-Ab piccolo clarinet, used in Classical music by the Austrian composers of the 19th century. I'm sure that a talented composer, like Strauss for example, would make use of it. I can also see its profuse use in the adaptation of the Baroque repertoire.

[@rashakor]

This would be the same size than a high-Bb Clarinet and an octave yet above it.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

@@rashakor I know of high-G and high-Ab piccolo clarinets. Does the high-Bb piccolo clarinet even exist?

[@rashakor]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 Leblanc made a couple of them in the 70’s. Totally unplayable, as nobody has fingers small enough. The soprillo has extention keys that allow play. Both are 32-33cm which is exactly half the length than a normal Bb clarinet or soprano sax.

[@tyehww99]

The intro just made my day lolll. Nice to see the other end of Eppelsheim's work!

[@thrax1822]

I'm a bari sax player but soprano and up are my favorites. idk why but I love low sounding instruments but the really high ones I love too. In high school i would sneakily grab the soprano to play it and it was beautiful but now i really want to get my hands on that soprillo

[@agenttexx]

There is no Soprano Sax, only Bari Sax...

[@dakota1123]

@@agenttexx what

[@frankcasella423]

in middle school i played bari but got a chance to play soprano and just not being three half steps flat was a struggle

[@chrisdavies3572]

Sax co is an absolute must to visit. Not just for incredible display of instruments but friendly advice. They manage a repair on my tenor sax after I got it back when some tish thing stole it. Wonderful service.

[@patmx5]

That was pretty impressive playing for only about twenty minutes time-on-type. Very nicely done. As a techie-geek the mechanics of the saxophone fascinate me - the design effort that must go into interconnecting all the keys and pads to work in concert with one another is simply beautiful to see.

[@BruceEEvans1]

I wouldn't expect any instrument that high pitched to have any depth to its tone, but that really sounds like a saxophone.

[@clydebermingham121]

Very WELL Performed …. And EXCELLENT Sound Quality & Effects

[@beltingtokra]

Amazing video, I worked with Nigel one summer and he is so knowledgeable about the soprillo, he's written and recorded so many gorgeous pieces, you sound pretty incredible too 😍

[@nickm8134]

What a sweet sound - I was most (pleasantly) surprised by the tone - thanks for the video

[@kinexkid]

Coming from bari sax and bassoon, I'd never even have the embochure to play this and you made it sound effortless.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Wow! You guys are upping the ante on production values!

[@saxworldwide]

Thanks Jamie, our Jamie’s been putting in some late nights recently!

[@kraka2oanIner]

Thanks! Sounded better than I expected! Interesting instrument...well done!

[@paulineb66]

I played flute and piccolo for years so I am quite done with super high notes, but this little sax is fascinating.

[@strawberrymoth5211]

The worlds smallest saxophone Really needs an audience

[@Umarco77]

So if I do not find somebody soon~~

[@gbksgbks1212]

I WAS JUST GONNA COMMENT THATT

[@HASCHUL]

I'll blow up into smithereens

[@eggu-chan4101]

and spew my tiny symphony

[@Umarco77]

All up and down a city street

[@jimbonacum8917]

It sounds like it should come with a cobra in a basket. but seriously I can only imagine how difficult it is to play, Great Job!

[@saxworldwide]

We'll ask Benedikt to include a cobra next time

[@orlandomartinez5484]

This all makes me miss my soprano and baritone they gave me back in high school jazz band I would kill for a Yamaha YSS-61

[@autumnleaves2766]

Sounds much better than I thought it would and looks a beautifully engineered instrument. One for the top professionals only.

[@Jerfish1]

Every now and again it has a bit of that poppy Northumbrian smallpipes sound to it, mixed with a higher pitched crumhorn.

[@chukwuemekajosephokafor146]

🤣🤣🤣... the intro was soo dope....and hilarious

[@SiliconBassist]

Kinda sounds like if the suona was a single-reed instrument! I love it!

[@MusicalKinetics]

What an introduction 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. The sax sounds a lot like a venova when you go higher up, which is really really interesting. Keep up the great work.

[@saxworldwide]

Interesting perspective!

[@ParanoidGoblinoid]

Dang, that intro was fun! :)

[@saxworldwide]

Thanks Dan, we had a a lot of fun filming it!

[@dariusprim]

That sounded beautiful.

[@JaphethAwah]

oh the beauty of that instrument.

[@jpsned]

Wow... that horn has its own unique sound. I think if more composers were aware of it, they would want to write for it!

[@andresaxmanbrown]

Really fun creative video. Love the content guys!

[@HahnJames]

Great video. I don't think I've ever heard anyone play a soprillo saxophone before. I like it. 10 months ago, at age 61, I decided to take up the soprano saxophone. I've been wrestling with that since then and having a lot of fun with it, too.

[@DynamixWarePro]

I am loving the intros to these. I have been interested in the Soprillo for some time but the price is a bit high for me for something so specialised and I am still trying to get good at playing the soprano sax so not for me right now. Maybe one day. Interesting looking right hand thumb hook, what is it made of? I quite liked Jim's playing. Is that an actual tune or made up?

[@saxworldwide]

Thank you for your kind words about our intros! They take a lot of work but are lots of fun! The Soprillo isn't the cheapest of beasts, the Soprano is also a lot more versatile so getting your practice in there is very sensible! But it's never too late to get into the Soprillo ;) The thumb hook is actually Mother of Pearl, as the sax is so light you can get away with a pearl thumb hook. As for the tune, I have asked the main man and he doesn't remember! A lovely little improv around D.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

I'm impressed with the quality of the sound. You did well playing despite your self-afacing comment.

[@pierreashba]

The directing of this video is reaching Hollywood levels 😂

[@lefunkypierat7765]

I like the sound of the soprillo, I really wish I could afford one of these, but they are all so expensive, maybe a future project for the sakkusu line? Just a suggestion for a cheaper soprillo option

[@tristanmaxwell4355]

I bet going back to playing the tenor sax afterwards must feel super refreshing haha!

[@lemmings1892]

Oh gosh I can feel the Cowboy Bebop vibes

[@HoangTrinhSax]

oh how small it is!!! so cute sax!!

[@airedale1913]

He was about to start playing and the ad beginning 'don't go in there!' came on. Perfect timing 🤣🤣 More seriously, does the octave key being on the mouthpiece affect the playing at all? If you can separate that from other aspects of it. Interesting design definitely!

[@j_o_s_h_t]

Great! I'll be playing one of those.

[@ThomasJLarsen]

The mouthpiece is clearly built for the instrument, as the octave key is connected to it. What kind of reeds do you use for such a small reed instrument?

[@Meyerb1000]

Soprano clarinet reeds

[@ThomasJLarsen]

@@Meyerb1000 Interesting. Thanks.

[@putriscool]

thank you so much for that closeup of the octave key, i havent been able to find a good image of that mechanism ANYWHERE online since i first learned about it a couple years ago

[@EuphoniaPooch]

your tone was pretty good

[@kinexkid]

I've no idea how I got to this video but it was just what I needed on this shroom trip

[@paulready8897]

That intro was kind of creepy and pretty funny at the same time. Love the sound of a sax, but never played an instrument and not musically inclined. Want to learn someday, probably would start on an alto.

[@terrenceseidel3054]

Nice sounding!!! Have tried to play the Maui Xaphoon, ( pocket Saxophone).

[@douglasthomson1989]

No Shame there Jim. A very decent sound for only 20 minutes.

[@remicallant8756]

Nice instrument, I love it, greetings from Remi from Belgium

[@MrGuto]

thought you were going to pop a vein there at the 6:45 playing section. take care!

[@saxworldwide]

I nearly did - It reminded me of my oboe playing days somewhat!

[@garethchristian6257]

Bravo!! I actually liked it!!

[@thesoundsmith]

The low end has a duduk-like texture, in a pop ballad, signaling the uplifting key change (it's a Disney ballad, there is _always_ an uplifting key change) is a natural. Or maybe Bb. 😎 But the brightness might also be useful cutting through a rock mix. Not-so-Quiet Riot? I'm going to put this on FB aimed at my local sax battalion, I think at least ONE of them will bite.

[@jonathanwingmusic]

I was surprised how oboe and almost double-reed like it sounds, especially in its higher notes. Very interesting instrument!

[@debzfiedler6100]

Well done, very well done!

[@MatthewStahnke]

this is crazy. reminds me of a trumpet beautiful high notes. i havent played in years but i want one 😂

[@jeffvandagrif]

Love it, good job !

[@행호할캥홍]

I like it let's make more give to school

[@davidascroft9888]

nicely done. I think I'll stick with my bari & bass saxes... easier to play than the soprillo but it does have one vast advantage over my big bad boys - it is easy to carry. I do like my Akai EWI's for that reason. My back isn't as strong as it used to be.

[@RR-mt2wp]

Fantastic engineering,sounds good.

[@kj4ilk]

if i remember right there is one more that is the smallest caller the supranmissio or something its the smallest and highest pitched

[@q12aw50]

Nope.

[@scottquickel8010]

That was great. The classical music options are limitless. It sounded far eastern...definitely the Middle East would have a market. I would like to hear a Bach Fugue with a Tenor Sax following/copying.)

[@Galaxy_underscore]

I was able to see this and the contra bass sax playing together live

[@madsam0320]

I love all kind of sax.

[@shealinbanta4169]

I never seen a saxophone like this in person but I would love to try it. I play alto and tenor saxophone but this one might be more harder.

[@HeathWatts]

I would love to play one of those just to see what I could do with its range. I can play ~4.5 octaves on the soprano, so theoretically, I should be able to play some altissimo on the soprillo, which is exactly what the world needs. Ha!

[@arcellican]

the only guy to have a whole anime backstory play before reviewing a soprillo

[@shootinngstar]

ok😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@arcellican]

@@shootinngstar my bad i love you

[@bradenking7236]

I wonder, how do you tune it if the mouthpiece is worked into the instrument itself

[@fredfonseca6034]

Definitely Not for Me my friend!! Listen I started out playing Alto Saxophone for 13 plus yrs then Tenor. Last year i got myself a soprano Sax and ooooooo boy its challenging. So i cant even imagine trying the little bitti cute soprillo ( i hope i saying right ) even you my friend i can tell the effort it took U to play it. But great video as always thank you

[@X-CosmicVixen-X]

This is the cutest sax I've ever seen, I honestly want to buy it just to have it lol Tho I would try to play it regardless, it has a very nice sound

[@1015SaturdayNight]

God this would be so amazing in a klezmer style band

[@addi3299]

yeah, us saxophonists be doing this sometimes. You know, chasing innocent people around parking lots in the middle of the night. It’s normal 😅👍🏻

[@LalitMadhava]

Excelente ! Grandes amigos ! sldos

[@s.p.3587]

With this few views, I think the world's smallest saxophone Really needs an audience!

[@johngulino2651]

I like the sound of the soprillo! Yay! (Not a musician in any way, shape, or form.) 😀

[@cherylschmacher701]

🎶🎶🧜‍♀️🌹🎷Sounds, right up my aisle ! I’ll take two. I hear you have a flute as well. I’m interested 🌹🧜‍♀️🎶🎶🎷🌹

[@jodebrew]

this is the content I subscribed for

[@francoisvillon1300]

What reeds do you use? Do you have to make your own?

[@JanvanKnip]

Lovely video!

[@donaldphillips2648]

The sax was great but what was the closing music? Who was playing? It was beautiful!!

[@shin2468]

Amazing !

[@noregertz2088]

RIP to Mr. Eppelshiem

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

I still want one! Pit Band is the only practical use for it, but still want it!

[@МихаилМеренков-у8х]

Прикольная штуковина!👍

[@interestedlen8823]

Well done, Jim - I thought that was going to be painful. It was actually tuneful😁 Colour me impressed.

[@thomashillen47]

Try Irish folk music with it, the part played by the penny whistle. Might sound great in that context.

[@ultimawerewolfbluephoenix9670]

Im sure it has a great personality

[@loganstidd2839]

i'd be afraid if a guy running at me with a Soprillo saxophone. I would also try to take it.

[@davidentrot5644]

Sounds nice.

[@agneldominique352]

Played awesomely

[@hanj31]

I want one

[@raygreco87]

professional kazoo

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Any (good, acoustic, practical) reason the bell flare is not straight to the column? Will it stand up on its own or fall over? That said, nice video and demonstration, even if I had my doubts at the start.

[@saxworldwide]

I'm not sure and haven't asked Benedikt. But it will fall over if balanced on bell, so I managed to get it to stand on the top of a Hercules sop peg okay! Jim

[@lyntedrockley7295]

@@saxworldwide ah. It should come with a teenytiny stand. Does the Apollo sax orchestra use one I wonder?

[@cchimozmin]

Ooooh. Sounded a bit like a Dire Straits sax solo a bit there

[@jayantabadyakar1994]

I want to buy. .how to PURCHASE??

[@clydebermingham121]

Hahaha 😂… Excellent ‘HORROR’ Dramatics 🤗

[@Excalibur_Plays0_0]

the worlds smallest saxophone really needs an audience so if i do not find somebody soon il blow my self to smithereens and spew my tiny symphony all up and down the city streets wile tryin to put my mind at ease just finishing this melody just feels like a necessity so let me play my saxophone for you

[@lylek8933]

At least you sound better than Fry playing his Holophonor. lol :)

[@FlameRat_YehLon]

So, basically this is a muted suona (traditional Chinese brass instrument that can go rather high and loud). I kinda wonder if music written for suona can be played on this, although the transpose might not be the same.