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Adolphe Sax Redesigned the Bass Clarinet
In 1838 Adolphe Sax redesigned the bass clarinet with a similar design to the future saxophone. -
Saxhorn Invented
In 1840, Adolphe Sax invented the saxhorn, an instrument similar to the early saxophone. -
Saxophone Invented
In 1841, the saxophone was first invented and became a physical product, rather than just an idea in Adolphe Sax's head. -
Hector Berlioz Likes the First Saxophone
In 1842, Hector Berlioz, a composer, conductor and a good friend of Adolphe Sax, gets shown the first saxophone and likes the concept of the instrument -
Berlioz Uses Saxophone in an Orchestra Work
In 1844, Hector Berlioz first used the saxophone in his composition "Chant sacré." -
Georges Kastner Uses Saxophone in a Choral Work
In 1844, Kastner uses a bass saxophone in the key of C in his choral work "Le dernier roi de Juda." -
Saxhorn Patented
In 1845, Adolphe Sax patents the saxhorn, the early, valved version of the saxophone. -
Adolphe Sax Faces Accusations of Fraud
Beginning in 1845, Adolphe Sax receives accusations of fraud before he patents the saxophone. The accusers believed they had invented the saxophone first. -
Saxophone Patented
In 1846, following the accusations of fraud, Adolphe Sax successfully gains a patent for the saxophone. -
Adolphe Sax Wins Gold Medal at Paris Industrial Exhibition
In 1849, Adolphe Sax enters the Paris Industrial Exhibition and wins the gold medal for his creation of the saxophone. -
Saxophone First Played in USA
Louis Antoine Jullien's orchestra goes on a tour in the USA using a soloist soprano saxophone. -
Wagner Popularizes the Use of the Saxophone in Orchestrations
In 1861, Wagner, a popular composer, first uses the Saxophone in an orchestration, introducing it to a more popular audience. -
Adolphe Sax's Original Patent Expired
In 1866, 20 years after the original patent was created, the patent expired. -
Adolphe Sax Renewed Original Patent
In 1881, 15 years after the patent expired, Adolphe Sax renewed the patent for the saxophone and remains the father of the saxophone. -
Saxophone Appears in Jazz and New Styles of Music
In 1912, the saxophone became more exposed to being used in new styles of music, like jazz and contemporary.