There are many different types of saxophones in existence. There are 4 common types of saxes, the Bb soprano, Eb alto, Bb Tenor, and Eb Baritone in order from smallest to largest. All saxophones have the same basic components.

As with all instruments the pitch of the saxophone depends on the size of the instrument. The larger the instrument the lower the pitch is. The soprano and baritone tend to be more expensive and less common than the alto and tenor saxes.

Perhaps the most popular saxophone is the Eb Alto sax. It is the instrument that most beginners start on.  The alto is an easy instrument to play, it is relatively cheap, and also weighs much less than the other much larger saxophones.

The second most popular saxophone is the tenor sax.  It is slightly larger than the alto and produces slightly lower pitched sounds. Its primary distinguishing characteristic is its curved neck piece.