Once upon a time there were a whole group of saxophones in the keys of C and F and they were the series ‘A’!  The ones in Bb and Eb were known as series ‘B’!  Having a saxophone in the key of C is convenient, but they aren’t too common anymore.

The Saxophone was invented around the year 1844, by Adolph Antoine Joseph Sax. The patent was received by Sax on June 28, 1846.

Saxophones played an important role in military bands where they had more power than the other woodwinds.

Orchestras eventually brought saxophones into the mix, and down the road the saxophone became a signature instrument of jazz and an important piece in many other styles of music.

Saxophones were classed in two series:

Series A

Sopranino Saxophone in F

Soprano Saxophone in C

Alto Saxophone in F

Tenor Saxophone in C

Baritone Saxophone in F

Bass Saxophone in C

Series B

Sopranino Saxophone in Eb

Soprano Saxophone in Bb

Alto Saxophone in Eb

Tenor Saxophone in Bb

Baritone Saxophone in Eb

Bass Saxophone in Bb

Contra-bass Saxophone in Eb

The first series (A) was originally designated for orchestral use, and the second series (B) for the military band.

A Bass in Bb and Contra-bass in Eb are sometimes used, and (though very rarely) a Sopranino in Eb.

Saxophone quartets generally use an alto, a tenor, a soprano, and a baritone saxophone.

However, it  is also common to see in Saxophone quartets two Alto Saxophones, one taking the part of the Soprano in Bb.