Baritone & Bass Saxophones

Baritone & Bass Saxophones are two of the tonally deepest and biggest instruments in the saxophone family. At Gear4music we stock a wide array of saxophone and baritone saxophones from a range of big brands like Yanagisawa, Roy Benson, and Jupiter.

Browse by material and finish to find the best saxophone for you.

About Baritone & Bass Saxophones

The bass saxophone, was created by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. Like its relatives, it utilises a single reed to produce its sound. As a transposing instrument, it is pitched in B♭, sitting an octave directly below the tenor saxophone, it is only used in specific pieces by composers due to the fact it can't break through a wall of noise as easily compared to other saxes such as the baritone. This type of saxophone is properly utilised in film scores and orchestral use where the unique timbre of the instrument is displayed.

Contrastingly, the baritone saxophone, also a single reed instrument, occupies a slightly higher range than the bass sax but remains lower than the tenor. First created slightly later than the bass sax, in 1846, it was celebrated as a musical bridge between woodwind and brass, owing to its full sound and its flexibility to blend with varied ensembles. Although smaller than the bass saxophone, a modern bari sax is usually pitched in E♭, forming a crucial component of the sax section with their robust and earthy timbre.

Baritone & Bass Saxophones FAQS

What is the difference between a baritone and bass saxophone?

The difference between a baritone and bass saxophone is the size, weight and overall tone. The bass saxophone has a longer body and a larger bell and is subsequently lower in pitch, typically these are tuned to Bb. Furthermore, a baritone saxophone is tuned to Eb and is slightly higher in pitch, with a smaller bell and less length on the body of the saxophone compared to the bass saxophone.

What is a baritone saxophone used for?

The baritone saxophone is used for a variety of playing genres, such as concert bands, chamber music, military bands, and big bands. Often the baritone saxophone is used as a second saxophone to a saxophonist. As a lower-pitched instrument, the baritone is not as widely used as some of the other instruments in the saxophone family.

What is the easiest sax to play ?

The easiest sax to play is the alto sax this is due to its smaller size and lighter feel. The alto sax tends to be the most popular type of saxophone and subsequently, the saxophone that most people start learning on.