The C melody saxophone, also known as the C tenor saxophone, is a saxophone pitched in the key of C one whole tone above the common B-flat tenor saxophone. The C melody was part of the series of saxophones pitched in C and F intended by the instrument's inventor, Adolphe Sax, for orchestral use. The instrument enjoyed popularity in the early 1900s, perhaps most prominently used by Rudy Wiedoeft and Frankie Trumbauer, but is now uncommon.
A Conn C Melody Saxophone. While most C melody saxophones have curved necks (with a similar shape to that of the tenor saxophone), C. G. Conn did make straight-necked C melody instruments (more similar in appearance to the alto).
Rudy Wiedoeft in 1920, playing a C-melody saxophone
Frankie Trumbauer holding a C-melody saxophone, circa 1922
A straight-necked Conn C melody saxophone (New Wonder Series 1) with a serial number which dates manufacture to 1922
The saxophone is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to produce a sound wave inside the instrument's body. The pitch is controlled by opening and closing holes in the body to change the effective length of the tube. The holes are closed by leather pads attached to keys operated by the player. Saxophones are made in various sizes and are almost always treated as transposing instruments. A person who plays the saxophone is called a saxophonist or saxist.
A Yamaha alto saxophone
Tenor saxophone mouthpieces, ligatures, reed, and cap
Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone
In a rare early inclusion in an orchestral score, the saxophone was used in Gioacchino Rossini's Robert Bruce (1846)