In this post we will talk about Adolf Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. When we see a musical instrument, the question of where it came from rarely comes to mind. Somehow, subconsciously, we believe that it arose a long time ago and “by itself”, as the fruit of collective efforts. different people.
For example, no one can say exactly when and where the flute, drum, string instruments, and even the organ appeared. Meanwhile, many modern musical instruments there are quite specific inventors. And the saxophone is a young instrument, so everything is known about it for sure.
In 1814, Adolf Sax was born in the small Belgian town of Dinan (at birth he received the name Antoine-Joseph, Adolf appeared later). Dinan was a deep province in those days, so in 1835 the family moved to Brussels. Adolf studied flute, clarinet, singing and harmony (apparently, composition) at the Brussels Conservatory, and then continued the work of his father, who was a master in the production of musical instruments. Adolf also inherited the desire to experiment and invent new tools from his father - he spent all his money on these experiments, without achieving visible success.
Adolf decided not to waste time on trifles and in 1842 he went straight to Paris, the then cultural capital of Europe. There he hoped to present his invention - a completely new musical instrument called the saxophone. And indeed, his saxophone called big interest V musical circles Paris. He particularly impressed Hector Berlioz, a well-known composer, who became Sax's patron and helped him find sponsors.
In the photo - the first original saxophone in the Sachs Museum in Dinant. 
Inspired by success, Sachs built more and more new models of saxophones. He brought the soprano saxophone to Paris, and later there were eight models (sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, double bass and subcontrabass). In addition, he created a number of new wind instruments based on the same principle of the saxophone - today their names are known only to specialists: saxtromba, saxhorn, saxtuba and others. In 1846, he finally receives a patent for his invention, i.e. on the saxophone and all other instruments of the same kind, and opens his own workshop with more than a hundred employees, in which about 20,000 instruments have been created during its existence.
Sax and his invention are quickly becoming widely known, but in fact the triumphal path of the saxophone is just beginning. During Sax's lifetime, there was no specific style of music for the saxophone, it was just another instrument in the orchestra. By the way, Sax's instruments were especially popular in military music - these are brave marches for parades. Jazz, in which the saxophone became the central instrument, and thanks to which every child knows it today, appeared after Sax. 
And Adolf Sax died in poverty. Having received in music world recognition, at the same time he gained a lot of envious people and competitors who began to massively sue him, challenging his patent and the originality of his inventions. All the cases, in the end, were decided in favor of Sachs, but huge sums were spent on lawyers and other legal costs - there were too many lawsuits. And, apparently, the workshop did not bring enough profit to cover these costs. I even had to declare myself bankrupt several times. Adolphe Sax died in 1894 in Paris.
IN hometown Saxe Dinana especially reveres his person. Practically, the Sax and the saxophone became his calling card, the main attraction, and the main motive of souvenirs. Saxophones on the streets of Dinan can be seen everywhere.
On lampposts. 
In the form of a sculpture in the square. 
In the form of chocolates. 
In front of City Hall. 
This is the main bridge, which has a saxophone from each country. Each has its own original design. 
Of course, in Dinant there is the Adolf Sax Museum, where you can see a lot of interesting things, including some of his inventions - mysterious twisty things. 
By the way, Dinan himself is quite nice and handsome, even in the rain (in the beginning we were not very lucky with the weather), and even more so in the clear sun. 
In addition to many old buildings, there is a cathedral. 
There is also a citadel on the mountain, where you can climb by cable car. From there you have a view of the city. 
As elsewhere in Belgium, there are chocolate shops, and in restaurants and cafes you can try different varieties wonderful Belgian beer. Dinan is a small town, one day is enough for a visit, even if you take your time. Traveling by car, you can go around other Walloon towns at the same time, which are also worth admiring.
This truly soulful tool will touch even the most callous heart. You can recognize the sound of a saxophone from a thousand. It is his “voice” that is often heard at many romantic events, for example, at the sacrament of marriage. Also, the saxophone fits well into many jazz compositions, where it becomes sharp and provocative.
Who Invented the Saxophone?
The Belgian instrumental master is considered the inventor of this soulful musical instrument. French descent- Adolf Sax. All his life he dreamed of giving a chance to be an instrument that would become something between wooden and musical brass notes. A device that could combine these two timbres would fit perfectly, according to the inventor, into the orchestra of the French military forces. The answer to the question "in what year saxophone invented”many give not quite exactly, but it is known that the birth of the saxophone took place at the beginning of 1842. The patent was established 4 years after the invention. According to the story of how Sachs invented the saxophone, he sat at home and, putting the mouthpiece from the clarinet to the ophicled, made an attempt to play, from the very first notes the guy fell in love with this sound. From that moment, it occurred to him to name such an instrument in his honor. The then popular composer and journalist, having heard the amazing sound of the saxophone, was very surprised. A few months later, the journalist wrote an article about this musical instrument.
So the fame of the saxophone spread throughout Europe, and reached our lands. The collaboration between Sachs and Berlioz did not end there. The famous composer composed the first part for the musical invention. After the premiere of the saxophone, not alone famous author wished that his sound was inscribed in their works.
Saxophone sound
The sound of this wonderful musical instrument is described in many of the most beautiful words: it is unsurpassed, bewitching, magical, enchanting and at the same time very gentle.
The timbre of the saxophone is able to touch to the depths of the soul from the very first notes, and its sound is impossible not to recognize. Playing the saxophone requires virtuoso skills, not everyone can play it. And the one who decides to connect his life with playing the saxophone is simply obliged to love music, live it and master the instrument perfectly
What is a saxophone made of? Its types
The one who invented the saxophone is mentioned more often today than his achievement. And that's right. However, the tool itself deserves no less attention. Since the birth of the saxophone, its author has developed fourteen types. But over time, it became clear that only eight of them are the most popular. And four species are simply swept away from the hands of the author with lightning speed. These instruments have a very juicy sound and extraordinary technique.
This musical instrument is a conical tube. It is usually made from a special alloy of copper, zinc and nickel. The author of the saxophone further improved his creation and gave some types a more compact form. The saxophone has become more comfortable to use thanks to the curved base. The saxophone, which has many varieties, can be even. The tool consists of three parts: the body (base), the bell and the esque. Eski is a tube that is an extension of the body of the saxophone. The mouthpiece is placed on this part. It is shaped like a bird's beak and is made of ebonite. Sometimes manufacturers use high-quality plastic. Rarely metal. The reed is responsible for the formation of a specific sound in the saxophone. It, in turn, can be reed, bamboo or made from reeds. This part of the saxophone is attached to the instrument with a typewriter (ligature). It looks like a small bundle with a pair of screws on the sides. The one who invented the saxophone, namely Adolf Sax, did not forget about the beautiful appearance tool. Today it is made according to the technology of the first author, complemented by beautiful shades and patterns.
Saxophone in today's world
To date, the saxophone is unusually popular and is considered one of the main instruments in many brass bands. Few connoisseurs contemporary music, including pop, rock, rock and roll, knows that the saxophone is involved in these modern directions. Not last place this wind instrument also occupies in symphony orchestras.
Briefly about the further fate of Sachs
Sachs, after reaching the peak of his career, decides to stay in Paris. Many were not happy that a famous inventor would live on their land - the one who invented the saxophone. However, Sachs' friends supported him. The ill-wishers turned out to be competitors - local craftsmen. They, as it turned out later, envied the talent of Sachs and his friend Berlioz. Adolf Sachs, by virtue of his wisdom, does not pay attention to evil rumors and opens his own business for the production of wind musical instruments. His works are in great demand, and orders come from many countries around the world. The saxophone continues to be popular, each time reminding of the great man who made a great investment in the history of music, who invented the saxophone and forever remained in the memory of many.
Almost 200 years ago, in the small Belgian town of Dinante, the talented self-taught musical master Charles Sax and his wife Maria had their first son Adolf, who happened to become "the genius of this place."
According to my observations, nature always resists the appearance of geniuses, - with ordinary people it's easier for her! The Saks family was no exception. Evil fate hovered over her! Of the eleven children, seven died at a young age, and only the eldest Adolf miraculously survived the fall from the 3rd floor; poisoning with sulfuric acid drunk by accident; severe burns from a powder explosion. He drowned in the river, choked on a swallowed pin, was poisoned by poisonous fumes, but in spite of everything, he survived and created a musical instrument, which, according to Georges Bizet, alone "... can convey tenderness and passion, shaded by restrained strength." This instrument made the orchestra sound in a new way. Today, the saxophone is perhaps the most popular wind instrument. Moreover, it has become the "king of jazz", its timbre has become a calling card jazz music.
My attempts to find the houses where Adolph Sax lived or where his workshops were located were not crowned with success. Apparently, these houses were destroyed during the First World War. Found on the Internet the house of the Saxons in Dinant. There is also a monument to him.
So, back to the days when the Sax family lived in Dinant. The head of the family, Charles Sax, was a remarkable personality. He began his activity in this town with the manufacture of elegant furniture, excelled in his business, and, being talented, creative person began to look for new ways for self-expression. Charles came to the fact that he began to make and encrust musical instruments. His instruments were in such demand that the Belgian king William of Orange, a passionate aesthete and music lover, brought Charles closer to the court and made him the main supplier of musical instruments for the royal military band. The business expanded and the father began to attach his sons to it. The four sons of Charles Sax continued the work of their father, but the eldest of the sons Adolf was especially successful in this. It was Adolf who showed outstanding abilities and accepted the most great participation. He not only studied with Charles, but also very early began to work in his workshops.
Being self-taught, Charles Sax understood more than others how important it is to have professional knowledge in any business, but in the small town of Dinante there was nowhere to educate children and the family moved to Brussels. existence in exchange for complete uncertainty in a new place. But, probably, that's why parents exist to sacrifice their well-being for the benefit of children. Charles Sax was no exception.
Soon, Adolf enters the Brussels Conservatory, which he graduates in two specialties: conducting and clarinet. At the same time, in his father's workshop, he continues to create and improve musical instruments, in particular, he develops new ways of sound production of the instrument he plays professionally. Brussels soloists of the royal orchestra, where Sachs is trying to get a job as a clarinetist, they obstruct him - "what good can you expect from a pathetic apprentice Sachs?". And then Sachs challenges the offenders to a musical duel: “You play the old clarinet, and I play the new one, and let the listeners judge us!”
A huge crowd gathered, more than 4 thousand people. The triumph of Adolf Sax was so convincing that he immediately received the position of soloist of the orchestra and the opportunity to play the improved clarinet.
While working in an orchestra, Sachs composed music for his clarinet, but only he could perform these works. The performance of the music composed by Saks on old instruments was associated with certain difficulties, and for other orchestra members it turned out to be too difficult. This infuriated colleagues who all their lives played the old fashioned way and did not strive for improvement. In general, in the restless musical world, there has always been a hidden malevolence and a willingness to trip up anyone who is more talented and successful. The Belgian orchestra members hated Sachs, did not want to work with him in the same team, tried in every possible way to compose and humiliate him. Unfortunately, envy and unhealthy competition are much more common in the art world than in other areas of human activity. Because the life of Sachs turned into a constant duel with the outside world.
Adolf Sax stoically resisted all difficulties, he was obsessed with the idea of creating a universal orchestral instrument. “You cannot achieve anything in art if you are not possessed by the devil,” wrote Voltaire. It was during this time that Sachs developed a new double bass clarinet; steam organ; a device for the pianoforte that makes it easy to replay the keys (he took the secret of this invention with him forever). IN total, Adolf Sachs presented nine of his inventions at the next exhibition of musical instruments in Brussels. He was nominated for a prestigious award - a gold medal, but the jury felt that Sachs was too young to receive such high award and awarded him a silver medal. The young musician could not endure this insult. “If they consider me too young for a gold medal, then I consider myself too old for a gold medal,” he said and left Belgium forever. Ahead was hard life emigrant in Paris, full of grandiose successes and failures that accompanied him until the end of his life.
In Paris, at 10 Rue Neuve Saint Georges, Adolphe Sax opened his workshop. He was young and talented. He understood that at the present level of development musical culture a musical instrument is needed, which would be an intermediary between different groups brass and string instruments symphony orchestra, which could equalize the ratio of timbres of various orchestral groups and would have its own voice. And he found such an instrument! The name of this instrument saxophone translates as "the sound found by Sax!".
significant event in the life of Adolf Sax there was a meeting with Hector Berlioz. This happened in 1842 in Paris. Berlioz was delighted with the new instrument. A friendship developed between the musicians. Berlioz wrote about Sachs this way: “He is a man of penetrating, tenacious, bright mind, persistent and firm in any test. He is simultaneously a mathematician, an acoustician, a chaser, a foundry worker and a turner. He knows how to think and do - invents and performs himself. Berlioz thus attracted the attention of European musicians to the works of the Belgian master. He arranges an audition for Sachs at the Paris Conservatory, inviting outstanding musicians there: Halevi, .Auber, .Donizetti, Meyerbeer, Rossini. Of course, this meeting was also triumphant for Sachs. Donizetti offered Sax a job as a saxophonist in the orchestra he led. At the same time, he received a saxophone class at the Paris Conservatoire, whose rector at that time was Aubert. It would seem that everything was going well, but fate did not allow Adolf Sax to relax and rest on his laurels.
12 years after arriving in Paris at the age of 34, Sachs fell seriously ill. Doctors diagnosed him with lip cancer and he had to undergo surgery. For the brass player, this meant the end musical career. It is not difficult to imagine what a shock this news was for Sachs. And again higher power intervened in the fate of this man.
In medicine, the “placebo” effect is known, when the patient’s belief that a given doctor can cure him with the help of some procedures and drugs leads to healing.
I recall the words of the wonderful doctor Efrem Isaakovich Lichtenstein, - "... if the patient does not feel better when visiting a doctor, then this is a bad doctor." I found on the Internet several references to cases of healing patients, of varying severity, with the help ofplacebo. Among the doctors who made their patients recover, Henry Beecher, Edmund Forster, and others are mentioned. According to the doctor Forster, who cured Adolf Hitler of blindness, not every patient can be cured by the method of psychological influence. But if the patient exceptional person, the chosen one of God (or Satan - I.M), then in this case a miracle is possible.
Adolf Sachs was just such a person - hyper-emotional, restless, impressionable. easily suggestible - this is how his contemporaries describe him. With the help of a black homeopath and psychologist, Adolf Sachs defeated a fatal illness and continued his creative life for almost 40 years. Were these years happy for him? It is difficult to say, as difficult as to define what happiness is.
(P.S. . I recently read about the use of the placebo method in healing. famous artist, "All-Union Cinderella", Yanina Zheymo. At the end of 1942, the artist came to Tashkent to her husband, director Iosif Kheifetz, and found out that he was living with another woman. The break with her husband was a huge tragedy for her, and she fell ill with severe depression. She began to forget the letters, not to recognize her acquaintances, not to understand where she was and go blind. She was saved by a doctor who gave out a bottle of medicine and convinced that if you gradually drink all the drops, the disease will recede. When the drops were drunk, Yanina felt healthy. Later, the doctor admitted that he treated the artist with ordinary tap water.")
All these years, Adolf Sax continued to fight with competitors who did not want to accept his instrument. Enemies did not let up, continued endless litigation, which challenged the authorship of Sachs. He was accused of falsification and charlatanism, because, as was stated in one of the court verdicts, “there is no musical instrument called saxophone, never was and could not exist”! And when Sachs won the lawsuit, proving his patent right to the invention of the saxophone, envious people set fire to his workshop. Adolf Sax was "... a viciously persecuted victor, a winner under a hail of attacks... He had sincere, ardent adherents, but the number of sworn enemies remained surprisingly large."
All the forces and means of the family were spent on this long-term, unfair struggle.
Sachs had five children born in a civil marriage with Louise Mayor. Louise died very early and the upbringing of the children fell entirely on the shoulders of the father. But, despite all the difficulties, Sachs fought to the last. He died at the age of 80 in Paris in total poverty and oblivion and is buried in the Montmartre cemetery next to six members of his family.
And yet, Adolf Sax, this persecuted innovator and brilliant musician, forgotten during his lifetime, - happy man! Because his name lives on in his instrument. The music for the saxophone was written by Georges Bizet in "Arlesienne" and Maurice Ravel in "Bolero", Sergei Prokofiev in "Lieutenant Kizhe" and George Gershwin in "An American in Paris", and Sergei Glazunov even composed solo concert for this tool. But the saxophone received full recognition in the "Jazz Age" (Ornette Coleman, Stan Getz, Sonny Rawlins, Jerry Maligen...) One can only regret that Sax tpk was not destined to know what a miracle he created. And we remember him.
P. S . If you want to see saxophones made by Adolphe Sax, visit the Musical Instruments Department New York the Metropolitan Museum. They are there.
received by mail.
We rarely think about musical instruments - where did they come from, who invented them. Indeed, many of them arose so long ago that hardly anyone can know it. But among them there is one relatively young, but today already one of the most famous and beloved, whose sensual and soulful sound pierces the soul - this is a saxophone. And he has a very specific creator, whose name is immortalized in the very name of this instrument - Adolf Sax.
The world heard the voice of the first saxophone less than 180 years ago. There are a huge number of fans of this great instrument and its enchanting sounds all over the world. And today the saxophone is a bright symbol of jazz music and blues.
Monuments to the saxophone in the world
The history of the birth of this miracle
The opportunity to enjoy the incredible beauty of the sound was given to us by Adolf Sachs, the son of a musical instrument maker, originally from small town Dinan in Belgium, who inherited an interest in wind instruments from his father.The Sax family moved first to Brussels and then to Paris, where Adolphe opened his workshop for the manufacture of wind instruments. It was here, on the basis of the bass clarinet, that he created his miracle, which at first he called the mouthpiece ophicleid.
The public was rather skeptical about the new instrument of a strange appearance and with a no less strange nasal voice, very far from its today's sound, and Adolf had to spend a lot of time and effort to bring his newly-made ophicleid to perfection.
Introducing his instrument in 1842 famous composer Berlioz, Adolf found in him an enthusiastic connoisseur and friend. The composer was fascinated by the saxophone, published an enthusiastic article in one of the magazines, in which he first called the instrument a saxophone.
« This is an instrument with a full, pleasantly vibrating, huge in strength and well softened sound. His main merit, in my opinion, is the diversity of the beauty of sound, sometimes with an accent, sometimes without, full of passion, sometimes dreaminess and melancholy; an echo echo, a faint howl of wind in the forest, or rather, the mysterious flickering echoes of a bell after it has struck. No other instrument I have ever known has such a strange sound at the limit of silence.", - wrote Berlioz.
And about Sax himself, the composer spoke like this: “ This is a man of penetrating, tenacious, bright mind, persistent and firm in any test. He is simultaneously a mathematician, an acoustician, a chaser, a foundry worker and a turner. He knows how to think and do - he invents and himself performs».
For the saxophone, Berlioz also wrote the first works. Acknowledgment came to Saks, but the saxophone was used mainly as an additional wind instrument in the orchestra. And gradually in Europe, interest in the saxophone almost died out, which was also facilitated by the war that began in 1870.
In addition, many competitors questioned the authorship of Sachs and flooded the courts with numerous lawsuits. Litigation, which lasted for years, although they ended mainly in his favor, but took a lot of nerves and time, in addition, they were accompanied by considerable financial expenses, which practically ruined him.
In 1894, in Paris, the great and talented music master died in poverty.
The rebirth of the saxophone
At the end of the 19th century, a new direction in music, jazz, was born and spread very quickly in America, and the saxophone became the main soloist of jazz compositions along with the trumpet.
Finally, the saxophone has the opportunity to reveal its full potential. The country is getting sick saxophonomania”, which soon spilled over to Europe.
In our country, with its rejection of jazz, until the 70s, playing the saxophone was not even taught anywhere, only the clarinet was held in high esteem.
A special, reverent attitude to the saxophone is observed among the inhabitants of Japan. The Japanese saxophone is gentle, sensual, romantic, sentimental… The same is the music…
The saxophone is equipped with a rather complex structure. The valve mechanism has a complex structure - everything is thought out to the smallest detail. In total, there are 19-22 valves on the saxophone - it depends on the model. “Eska” is put on top of the body - there is a cork on it, on which the mouthpiece is held, and on the mouthpiece there is a reed, which is attached with a ligature. The structure of the saxophone includes a U-shaped lower knee and a bell.
Saxophone details
- Eska (some call it "neck"). Eske has a mouthpiece, a reed, a ligature, a cork and an octave valve.
- Main body (saxophone body). In this part of the tool is a network of valves that are generally interconnected. In addition, there are special places for the thumbs of the right and left hands, as well as a hook for attaching a gaitan (collar).
- Lower U-shaped knee. This place is usually reinforced with an additional layer of metal alloy to provide additional protection.
- Trumpet. This part serves to propagate sound, while being an integral part of the structure of the saxophone. On the bell there are 2 valves with protection, which are responsible for the lowest notes.
In addition to the listed parts, the saxophone has various connecting parts: grooves, fixation screws, a coupler and connecting rings.
The structure of the saxophone features
In total, the saxophone mechanism has 25 holes, while only 9 fingers are used in the game. The mechanism of the tool is designed in such a way that it is possible to close all the holes or alternate them in various combinations. In addition to the main "buttons", the saxophone is equipped with many levers that are located in easily accessible places.
The holes on the body of the saxophone must be tightly closed so that there is not a single gap. Therefore, in the structure of the saxophone, special round-shaped pads are taken into account, a lot depends on them. For the full operation of the mechanism, about 500-600 different parts interact. This figure may seem unrealistic to you, but if you start counting each valve, lever, spring, baffle, screw and other parts yourself, you will be surprised at their number.
Such saxophones, which we use now, are improved. Over the years and decades, craftsmen and manufacturers have added new elements to the mechanism in order to achieve maximum convenience and technical capabilities. Naturally, the first saxophone had a more primitive design.
Antoine Joseph Sax (under the pseudonym Adolf Sax) was born on November 6, 1814. V small town Belgium - Dinan, in the family famous master wind instruments. His father, Charles Joseph Sacks, was a professional...
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