C soprano saxophone

{{Short description|Musical instrument (saxophone family)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{distinguish|soprano saxophone|C melody saxophone}}

{{Refimprove|date=February 2008}}

{{Infobox Saxophone

|name=C Soprano Saxophone

|image=SopraninoSax.jpg

|image_capt=B{{music|flat}} soprano saxophone (left), silver-plated C soprano saxophone (center), E{{music|flat}} sopranino saxophone (right).

| range =

Soprano saxophone in C sounds as written.

}}

The C soprano saxophone is a member of the saxophone family, invented in 1846. It closely resembles the more common B{{music|b}} soprano saxophone but is pitched a whole step higher. Unlike most other saxophones, it is not a transposing instrument, a quality it shares with the C melody (also called C tenor) saxophone. The C soprano has an identical range to the oboe.

As with C melody saxophones, American production of C sopranos commenced circa 1919 and ended around 1929. The same companies that made C melody instruments manufactured C soprano saxophones, and they were marketed to those who wished to perform oboe parts in military bands, vaudeville arrangements, or church hymnals. C sopranos made by some French manufacturers exist but are exceedingly rare.

In the early 2010s, the New Zealand{{En dash}}based company Aquilasax contracted a factory in China to produce C sopranos, with modern keywork but a bore copied from C.G. Conn's 1920s model. These received a very mildly positive response from players and technicians who encountered them,{{Cite web |title=Aquilasax Celeste ii C soprano saxophone review |url=http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Sop/celeste_csop.htm |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.shwoodwind.co.uk}} but demand was low and only a small number was produced. Aquilasax is now defunct, and the factory that produced these instruments is no longer operational.

C sopranos are the same shape as B♭ sopranos and differ in length by only around 3 centimeters. Nearly all vintage examples are keyed from low B♭ to high E♭. Aquilasax's 2010s models were keyed to high F and F♯. C soprano saxophones usually have a "C" stamped on them, close to the serial number.

The range of the vintage is concert and written B♭3 to E♭6

The 2010 models are keyed from B♭3 to F6, F♯6(or G6 for models with an High-G key.)