Timeline: Timeline of the Saxophone

Nov 6, 1814

Adolphe Sax is Born

Adolphe Timeline 1Sax was born on November 6, 1814, in Dinant, which was part of France at the time and was then annexed by the Netherlands. Charles Sax, his father made instruments for the Dutch. Adolphe worked with him. He studied instrument making with his father. This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

Jan 1, 1835

Adolphe Improves the Bass Clarinet the Forerunner of the Saxophone

Adophe Timeline2Adolphe was twenty when he improved the bass-clarinet.

Jan 1, 1840

Saxophone (Saxhorn) Invented by Adolphe

Wikpedia on Adolphe SaxSaxophone invented by Adolphe Sax, in Paris. Originally called a saxhorn, since it contained both woodwind and brass parts.

Jan 1, 1842

Hector Berlioz Likes the First Saxophone

Hector BerliozAdolphe Sax showed his first creation of a bass saxophone to Hector Berlioz. The composer was impressed with the uniqueness of the instrument and its versatility.
This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

Jan 1, 1842

Early Baritone Saxophone in Newspaper Written by Berlioz

Berlioz SurpriseIn 1842 Sax showed Berlioz an early version of the baritone saxophone. Berlioz tells Sax he will let him know what he thinks the next day. The next day the answer is written in the most influential art magazine of Paris. He likes it!

Jan 1, 1844

Adolphe Saxophones at Paris Industrial Exhibition

All Sax's Instruments http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/cutler6.html
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Feb 3, 1844

Berlioz Uses Saxophone in His Choral Work

Hector Berlioz
Berlioz includes saxophone Chant Sacre performance.

Jan 1, 1845

Adolphe Faces Accusations of Fraud

Adolphe Accusations Wieprecht, a German bandleader says he made the first saxophone. There was a showdown in Germany. Lizst attended where Wieprecht and Sax both play their saxophones. It is obvious that Sax knows what he is doing whereas Wieprecht does not. Wieprecht admits defeat and becomes a devoted follower of Sax.

Jan 1, 1845

Saxophones Used in French Bands

saxophones now used in bands

Oct 20, 1846

Saxophones Patented

Adolphe's saxophones patented

Feb 14, 1847

Saxophone School Set Up

A saxophone school was cresated. http://jeffheisler.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/7/0/8470103/saxophone_history_timeline.pdf

Jan 1, 1849

Gold Medal at Paris Industrial Exhibition

Adolphe wins gold medal at Paris Industrial Exhibition.

Jan 1, 1853

Alt-Saxophone

Adolphe creates the alt-saxophone.

Jul 18, 1853

Saxophone First Played in USA

Saxophone first played in the United States

Jul 18, 1861

Wagner Uses Saxophone

Wagner uses saxophones in an opera http://jeffheisler.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/7/0/8470103/saxophone_history_timeline.pdf
This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

Jan 1, 1866

Patent Expires

The patent for the saxophone expired and the Millereau Co. patents the saxophone featuring a forked F# key.

Jul 18, 1886

Changes to Saxophone

Adophe Timeline 2Association Des Ouvriers--makes changes to the saxophone.

Feb 7, 1894

Adolphe Sax Dies

The photo is copyrighted but allows free use if credit is given to the photographer and my website, http://www.jayeaston.com/.
Photo by Jay C. Easton

Jan 1, 1900

Moved to America

Military bands started using saxophones in America.

Jan 1, 1920

Jazz

Saxiphones become part of jazz.

Jan 1, 1934

Many Mechanical Changes

Selmer made many changes to help the saxophone be more playable and in tune.

Jan 1, 1975

Selmer Mark VII

Saxophone TimelineSelmer Mark VII This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Jmm1713 at the wikipedia project. This applies worldwide.