Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone in 1846 as a metal-bodied, single-reed woodwind.
Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax designed the saxophone to combine the projection of brass instruments with the fingering and reed principle of woodwinds. Its conical metal tube ends in a flared bell, and a single reed attached to a mouthpiece starts the vibration. Although usually made of brass, it is classified as a woodwind because of its reed-based sound production.
Sax received French patents covering the saxophone family in 1846. He proposed instruments ranging from soprano to contrabass, with different sizes intended to blend with military bands and orchestras. The saxophone became especially prominent in military bands, popular music, jazz, and concert works, while remaining less central to the traditional symphony orchestra.
The most familiar version is the alto saxophone, but tenor, baritone, soprano, and bass saxophones are also common. The saxophone should not be confused with the bass clarinet: both use single reeds, but the saxophone has a conical bore and a characteristic curved bell in many models.