Inventor(s) Adolphe Sax | Developed 28 June 1846 | |
 | ||
Classification Wind,
woodwind,
aerophone Hornbostel–Sachs classification 422.212-71
(Single-reeded aerophone with keys) | ||
The sopranissimo or soprillo saxophone is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone. Because of the difficulties in building such a small instrument—the soprillo is 30 cm (12 in) long, 33 cm (13 in) with the mouthpiece—it is only recently that a true sopranissimo saxophone has been produced. The keywork only extends to a written E♭6 (sounding D♭7), rather than F, F♯, or sometimes G, like most saxophones; and the upper octave key has to be placed on the mouthpiece.
The extremely small mouthpiece requires a small and focused embouchure, making the soprillo difficult to play, particularly in its upper register. There is very little market demand for soprillos, reducing the economy of scale and making the soprillo more expensive than more common saxophones like the alto or tenor.
As of 2015, soprillos were being manufactured by the German instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim and the retail price is approximately US$3,400.