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saxhorn

saxhorn

9.9
A brass instrument like a small tuba with valves used in brass bands
  • noun
  • /ˈsæksˌhɔrn/
translation icon : saxhorn
  • The musician demonstrated the deep, mellow tone of his saxhorn during the concert.

Examples

  • Adolphe Sax invented the saxhorn, greatly influencing the sound of modern brass ensembles.

  • Brass bands in the 19th century frequently featured various types of saxhorns.

  • The saxhorn produces a rich, warm sound.

  • Many saxhorns are used in brass bands.

  • During the parade, the brass band played a lively tune featuring the saxhorn.

  • Her favorite instrument in the brass band is the saxhorn, which has a beautiful tone.

  • The saxhorn is often played alongside trumpets and trombones in marching bands.

Synonyms

wind instrument
vssaxhorn
1 3.1

An instrument that makes sound when you blow air through it, like a flute or trumpet

is a narrower family with valves and a mouthpiece used in bands
brass instrument
vssaxhorn
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A musical instrument played by blowing and making your lips buzz on a metal mouthpiece, like a trumpet or trombone

is a specific family with valves used mainly in band ensembles

How Low

bass
115 4.1
baritone
1 6.7
saxhorn
9.9

Surface Forms

saxhorn singular
saxhorns plural

Morphology

saxhorn = Sax + horn (semi-transparent) = sax + horn

The element 'horn' clearly indicates a type of wind instrument, but 'Sax' is a proper name (unknown to many learners), so the full meaning is only partially inferable.

Etymology

Saxhorn is named after the inventor Adolphe Sax. The horn part means 'a brass wind instrument', so a saxhorn is literally 'Sax's horn', a family of brass instruments with valves used in bands.