The alto sax is a member of the saxophone family. These woodwind instruments were invented by the Belgian, Adolphe Sax in the 1840s, and patented in 1846. This particular saxophone is pitched in E flat. The fingerings for all the saxophones are the same, so a sax player can play any of them with ease.

Many diverse ensembles make use of the alto sax from chamber music and military bands to jazz bands. It is also the most commonly played saxophone.

The alto saxophone is often associated with jazz music, and indeed had a prominent role in the history of that genre. Stars of the instrument include Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Desmond and Cannonball Adderley. It has however found a place in classical music as well with composers like Georges Bizet (L'Arlésienne), George Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue) and Claude Debussy writing for it.