Subcontrabass saxophone

Subcontrabass saxophone
Woodwind instrument
Classification	Single-reed
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	422.212-71; (Single-reed aerophone with keys)
Inventor(s)	Adolphe Sax
Developed	Conceived as part of Sax's 1846 patent; first playable instrument built by J’Élle Stainer in 2010
Playing range
	Subcontrabass saxophone in B♭ sounds three octaves and a major second lower than written.
Related instruments
	Sizes: Soprillo; Sopranino; Soprano; Alto; Tenor; Baritone; Bass; Contrabass; Subcontrabass; Orchestral saxophones: C soprano; Mezzo-soprano; C melody; Specialty saxophones: Aulochrome; Tubax;
Musicians
	Attilio Berni; Jay Easton; Gilberto Lopes; Todd White;
Builders
	Benedikt Eppelsheim; Galassine; J’Élle Stainer;

The subcontrabass saxophone is the largest of the family of saxophones that Adolphe Sax described in his 1846 patent. He called it the saxophone bourdon, named after the very low-pitched 32′ bourdon pedal stop on large pipe organs. Although Sax planned to build one, the first playable instrument was only built in 2010. It is a transposing instrument pitched in B♭ one octave below the bass saxophone, two octaves below the tenor, and three octaves and a major second below its written pitch.^[1]

^ Berni, Attilio (21 February 2013). "J'Elle Stainer Double Bb Sub-contrabass Saxophone". saxophone.org. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

[saxophone.org-1] Berni, Attilio (21 February 2013). "J'Elle Stainer Double Bb Sub-contrabass Saxophone". saxophone.org. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

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