The Legacy of Selmer Saxophones: Excellence in Craftsmanship

As a brand, Selmer has always been synonymous with high-quality saxophones. Moreover, the company was the exclusive heir to the ingenious inventor of the saxophone. In this article, we will explore the history, innovations, and iconic models of Selmer saxophones.

History Of Selmer Saxophones: How It All Started?

It started with Selmer hiring Henri Lefèvre and giving him responsibility for instrument production. He was working on new techniques for the saxophone. He standardized the process of drawing tone holes that had previously been welded onto the instrument body. This innovation made the manufacturing process easier and resolved issues with air leakage. His efforts helped reach a higher level of consistency in production standards.

The first series of saxes produced by Selmer got the name of “Série 1922”. It included alto saxophones and was officially launched on December 31, 1921. Their another “Modèle 22” series differed in innovational aspects featuring a stronger construction and an automatic octave key. This model entered a history as the one with an improved intonation and ergonomics.

Inspired by positive feedbacks about their work, the Selmer company moved forward with their ideas and soon introduced the straight Bb soprano, the curved soprano, the soprano in C and the tenor saxophones in Bb and C.

Between 1926 and 1936, the Selmer saxophones gained more and more popularity all over the world, while the company continued to improve their instruments by implementing new features.

The Most Famous Selmer Saxophones

In 1935, Selmer introduced the Balanced Action model, which became the basic prototype of the modern saxophone. The bigger number of changes incorporated into this instrument back then can still be seen these days. The sax featured redesigned and improved keywork with low B and Bb keys moved to the right side of the bell. The benefits of this model spoke through its name “Balanced Action”, which meant a balanced keywork and weight distribution.

The Balanced Action saxophone featured a larger bore and a larger diameter of the bell, which contributed to the initial aesthetics of the Selmer sound. Also, this instrument played a significant role in cementing Selmer's reputation among professionals.

Another legendary model, the Mark VI, appeared in 1954. It’s considered one of the most iconic saxophones ever made by the company, regarding its design and performance.  The “Mark VI” was the sixth model since the company launched their first saxophone in 1922. Unlike the “Balanced Action”, it had a smaller bore, which made the instrument more flexible and yet having a good projection. A unique and distinctive sound of this model became synonymous with jazz and classical saxophone music of the 20th century.

The Variety of Selmer Saxophones

Traditionally Selmer saxophones, produced by Henri Selmer Paris, have earned a reputation of the best of the best and the finest saxophones in the world. The company offers musical instruments for players of all levels and musical genres.

Among the wide range of saxes, it’s always easy to select a perfect saxophone corresponding to individual preferences and goals.  Today on the Selmer company website, you can find a complete range of saxophones, including sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass. At the first sight at these instruments, you may be impressed by their visual attraction, featuring a variety of finishes, reflecting luxury and aesthetic. You can buy Selmer saxophones in black and antique lacquer, silver and gold plate, solid silver, brushed and matt gold.

Why Are Selmer Saxophones so Good?

Musicians hold Selmer saxophones in high regard for several reasons:

• Exceptional Quality. Selmer saxophones go hand in hand with excellent craftsmanship, reliability and ability to produce rich and resonant tones. Each instrument undergoes hand assembly and quality control, so musicians can be confident that every detail of their instrument corresponds to the highest standards.
• Incorporation of Innovations. Selmer company has never stopped to introduce innovative designs to improve sonic characteristics and entire playability of their instruments. Their well-known models such as Balanced Action and Mark VI featured advancements in keywork and ergonomics that raised the bar for saxophone performance and allowed saxophonists to experience a smooth playing with well-balanced tones across the entire range.
• Variety. You can select Selmer saxophones regardless of the genre and playing style. They are flexible and easily adaptable to various musical settings, whether you play in a jazz, pop band or a classical ensemble.
• Excellent Sound Quality. Musicians who were lucky to try a Selmer saxophone immediately pay attention to their clear and expressive tonal characteristics. This feature help saxophonists to experiment with various color palettes and incorporate different dynamics into their music, making it more emotional. Selmer saxophones fit soloists and ensemble players who want to tell their stories through music at full potential.
• Respected History. During many years, Selmer saxophones have been favored by iconic musicians who played a crucial role for development of jazz and classical music. One of the key models was The Mark VI, which defined the sound of jazz of the mid-20th century and popularized Selmer brand among a broader audience of saxophonists.
• Always Faithful to Their Goals. Selmer brand never compromises on their quality and performance, offering instruments that meet high standards regardless of time. Once investing in Selmer sax, musicians count on their musical instrument for decades, being confident that they will preserve their playability and won’t degrade in tone with the frequent professional use. 

Conclusion

Selmer company played a significant role in the development of saxophone music. The distinctive sound of their musical instruments resonated in famous halls of classical music and jazz clubs of the 20th century. Selmer saxophones became a number one choice and top favorites of many iconic saxophonists such as Coleman Hawkins, Frankie Trumbauer, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins and more.

From their first launched model and till these days they have continued to demonstrate excellent craftsmanship, consistent quality and innovative improvements for better playability. Selmer saxophones are the choice of musicians who are seeking exceptional performance and tone quality.

If you are a saxophonist and want to upgrade your instrument, check out our collection of accessories for saxophones.

Are you interested in more information about legendary instruments? Then you may like our articles about Schilke trumpets, Martin Committee, Taylor Trumpets, and Bach Stradivarius.