Sopranissimo saxophone
The sopranissimo saxophone is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B, one octave above the soprano saxophone. Because of the difficulties in building such a small instrument—the soprillo is long, with the mouthpiece—it is only since the mid-2010s that a true sopranissimo saxophone has been able to be produced. The keywork only extends to a written E6, rather than F, F, or sometimes G, like most saxophones, and the upper octave key has to be placed on the mouthpiece.
The extremely small mouthpiece requires a small and focused embouchure, making the soprillo difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. There is very little market demand for soprillos, reducing the economy of scale and making the soprillo more expensive than more common saxophones like the alto or tenor.
As of 2015, soprillos were being manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim, and the retail price is approximately US$3,400.Listening
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