saxhorn

Family of brass musical instruments played with valves, invented in 1845 by the Belgian Adolphe Sax (1814-1894). It is played with a cup mouthpiece and made in seven different pitches, covering between them a range of some five octaves: soprano in E flat, alto in B flat (both also called flügelhorns), tenor in E flat, baritone in B flat (both also called althorns), bass in B flat (euphonium), bass tuba in E flat (bombardon), and contrabass in B flat. They are rarely used in the orchestra, but are regular constituents of military and brass bands.