Hi Nigel, I absolutely love your work on the Soprillo! I have a question that may sound ridiculous... But.. What are harmonics/overtones like on the soprillo? Possible? Also, have you ever attempted some altissimo on the instrument? Is that possible? hahah
Anyway, thanks for the great playing!! Ben
Nigel says:
Due to physical limitations of its extreme tessitura, especially the reed's own frequency, higher harmonics are very hard to play on Soprillo if not practically impossible. I am able to get a top F on a good reed day.
25th November 2009
Jack Jennings, USA says:
Nigel, I've got to hand it to you for gaining such mastery over this little beastie! I visited Herr Eppelsheim on October of 2008 and tried a Soprillo. I did well in the lowere register, the the top end was impossible for me!!
25th November 2009
jeff says:
It has taken me forever to get good tone on a soprano how long have you hed that and how do you get such great tone
Nigel says:
I've been playing the soprano for 20 years and the soprillo for about 5 years. To your question - practise (and perseverance).
13th November 2009
Patrick ALEXANDRE says:
Hello, I've been playing the saxophone for many years (soprano, alto and bari) and I'm currently learning how to direct an orchestra. Could you please give me the address of a website where I could purchase the complete scores for Eclogue (all parts + conductor's part) ? I'd like play it with my band (with a soprano as solo instrument (cannot afford yet a soprillo or even play it!!)) thanks for your help.
Patrick ALEXANDRE (France).
PS : I find your music so great and so delicate. Give us more !!!
Nigel says:
Hi Patrick, Thanks for your comments. Eclogue is now available in several versions: soprillo or soprano and sax sextet, soprillo or soprano & piano. They are published in E-Edition at www.saxtetpublications.com The solo sax part is the same in both versions and you can opt to purchase the scores and parts separately. I hope you get a soprillo to play it on one day!
28th October 2009
Zach Lannes says:
How many years of practice and what preparations would you reccomend for playing soprillo, I have been playing bari, tenor, and alto for a while and llater in my life i may approach the high range saxes
Nigel says:
If you struggle to control the soprano then I'd hold fire on the Soprillo for a while.
28th October 2009
Jon-A says:
Hi Nigel - I notice cosmetic changes to soprillos newer than mine (serial #92) and am wondering if they've done any technical tweaking. Also, please comment on any modifications you have made. Building up that B flat key, for example - very useful. Thanks.
Nigel says:
Bis key and an additional key linkage (opening the low D# key at rest, to improve 2nd octave E to F#) are standard now. All the rest is more a design change than a technical one. I recommend you ask Benedikt directly for development enquiries.
24th October 2009
Gerard Posch says:
What a miracle! I thought the sopranino saxophone was the smallest sax ever, but times they are achanging! This is magnificent, but I think the soprillo is very difficult to play. I have heard the sound examples. They sound very good. What kind of reeds do you use? Is there a retailer in the Netherlands where one can buy a soprillo?
Nigel says:
Thanks for your comments. I use a Vandoren sopranino 4 reed. I don't know of a retailer in the Netherlands where you can buy a Soprillo, but it's best to contact Benedikt Eppelsheim (www.eppelsheim.com) directly and he will advise you.
15th September 2009
The Tot says:
Ive been playing alto for four years and bari for about a week. is playing soprillo just as mutch of a diffrence from alto to soprillo as alto to bari
Nigel says:
I suggest you try a soprano sax first and see how you get on with that. Maybe after a few years then consider a soprillo. The soprillo is the most difficult sax to play and I wouldn't recommend it for beginners.
8th September 2009
blackhat4blues says:
Well I wondered what the smallest saxophone was ...and now i know ...the Soprillo!! It's wonderful and sounds just lovely ~ thank you Nigel for this site
12th August 2009
Bryce says:
who exactly all makes the soprillo sax? I can onlt find two manufactures, International Woodwind and Eppelsheim?
