"Tenor saxophone, nominal pitch: B♭"

Tenor saxophone, nominal pitch: B♭ | Henri Selmer | Circa 1930

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While the saxophone is most commonly heard in classical and jazz music, many pop and rock groups have adapted the instrument into their sound. It is used to add a bluesy and soulful feel to songs and is an integral part of any funk band.

Tenor saxophone

Henri Selmer

Paris

Europe

France

Western Europe

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Tenor saxophone, nominal pitch: B♭

Accession Number

0174

Collection

MIMEd; Glen Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1930

Period

20th century; 1920s; 1930s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Laigh Room

Case

Popular instruments display

Maker Information

Maker Name

Henri Selmer

Made In

City

Paris

Country

France

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Curved body and crook (silver-plated); mouthpiece of ebonite with nickel-plated ligature and cap. Fitting for music card-holder. Instead of a separate side B♭ keyhead and tone-hole, the touchpiece for R1 opens the B♭ tone-hole on the front of the instrument. Rollers between B and C♯ keys for L4, and between C and E♭ keys for R4.

L0: Automatic octave keys.
L1: B₄; bis key (B♭₄); D₆; E♭₆; F₆.
L2: A₄.
L3: G₄.
L4: Articulated G♯₄; C♯₄; B₃; B♭₃.
R1: F₄; B♭₄; C₅; E₆.
R2: E₄.
R3: D₄; F♯₄.
R4: E♭₄; C₄.

Keymount type: pillars mounted on plates.
Keyhead type: modern.

Serial number: 2756.

Overall size: 850 (including mouthpiece); bell diameter 151.
Sounding length: 1410 (without mouthpiece).
Bore: 11.3 at top of crook.

Inscription: on side of bell "H. Selmer" in stylised script / 4 PLACE DANCOURT / PARIS / FRANCE", also "H. SELMER / A / PARIS" within oval surmounted by lyre / monogram HS / "Modele 22 / No. 2756"; mouthpiece inscribed "Selmer" in wreath / "PARIS / Soloist / C*.".

Decorative features: mother-of-pearl buttons; bands of rope pattern on ferrules and on mouthpiece.

With fitted wooden case covered in black artificial leather, with label inside: "Lafleur & Son ... London".

Repair History: Screw missing from fitting for music card-holder; reed cap does not fit (probably made for an alto).

Usable pitch: Plays at A₄ = c 435 Hz.

Provenance

Purchased in 1983 with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the University's General Council Trust.

Classification