Editing Alto saxophone (section)

{{short description|Type of saxophone}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox Saxophone
| name=Alto saxophone
| image=Yamaha_Saxophone_YAS-62.png
| range          = [[File:Alto saxophone range.svg|400px|center]]
The alto saxophone in E{{flat}} sounds a [[major sixth]] lower than written. Most professional models have a high F♯ key, although higher notes are possible using altissimo fingerings
}}

The '''alto saxophone''' is a member of the [[saxophone]] family of [[woodwind]] instruments.  Saxophones were invented by [[Belgians|Belgian]] instrument designer [[Adolphe Sax]] in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of [[E♭ (musical note)|E{{music|flat}}]], smaller than the [[B♭ (musical note)|B{{music|flat}}]] [[Tenor saxophone|tenor]] but larger than the B{{music|flat}} [[Soprano saxophone|soprano]]. It is the most common saxophone and is used in [[popular music]], [[concert band]]s, [[chamber music]], [[List of concert works for saxophone|solo repertoire]], [[military band]]s, [[marching band]]s, [[pep band]]s, [[carnatic music]], and [[jazz]] (such as [[big band]]s, [[jazz combo]]s, [[swing music]]). 

The alto saxophone had a prominent role in the development of jazz. Influential jazz musicians who made significant contributions include [[Don Redman]], [[Jimmy Dorsey]], [[Johnny Hodges]], [[Benny Carter]], [[Charlie Parker]], [[Sonny Stitt]], [[Lee Konitz]], [[Jackie McLean]], [[Phil Woods]], [[Art Pepper]], [[Paul Desmond]], and [[Cannonball Adderley]].

Although the role of the alto saxophone in orchestral music has been limited, influential performers include [[Marcel Mule]], [[Sigurd Raschèr]], [[Jean-Marie Londeix]], [[Eugene Rousseau (saxophonist)|Eugene Rousseau]], and [[Frederick L. Hemke]].