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The Life of Adolphe Sax Trivia Quiz

While making my saxophone quiz I found loads of great Adolph Sax information. Questions will be in chronological order.

A multiple-choice quiz by Cardys. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Cardys

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
116,030

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
468

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Adolphe's real given name? Hint

Adolphe

Adolphe-Joseph

Antoine-Joseph

Charles-Joseph

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Question 2 of 10

2. What year was Sax born? Hint

1849

1914

1814

1846

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Question 3 of 10

3. Before inventing the saxophone, what instrument did Adolphe perfect? Hint

Trumpet

Bass Clarinet

Cornet

Bassoon

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was Sax's friend that wrote an article for the Paris magazine "Journal des Debats" telling the public of Sax's new invention? Hint

George Kastner

Hector Berlioz

Jules Demerssemann

Nazaire Beeckman

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Question 5 of 10

5. In what year did Sax get the patent for his saxophone? Hint

1846

1818

1946

1866

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many different kinds of saxophone did Sax invent? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. After Sax's patent expired, which company re-patented the saxophone? Hint

Maxwell Co.

Marteriet Co.

Marsel Co.

Millereau Co.

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Question 8 of 10

8. What year did Sax lose his patent for the saxophone? Hint

1969

1966

1866

1869

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Question 9 of 10

9. Yes or No: After Sax lost his first patent did he ever get the rights to the saxophone back (re-patent)?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. When did Adolphe Sax die? Hint

1894

1864

1994

1818

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Adolphe's real given name?

Answer: Antoine-Joseph

He was born November 6, 1814 in Dinant, Belgium with the name Antoine-Josephe Sax. His father was Charles-Joseph, also an instrument inventor.

2. What year was Sax born?

Answer: 1814

He was born in the year 1814. 1846 was when he first got the patent for his newly invented saxophone, at the age of 32.

3. Before inventing the saxophone, what instrument did Adolphe perfect?

Answer: Bass Clarinet

He perfected the design of the bass-clarinet by fixing some of the instrument's keywork and design.

4. Who was Sax's friend that wrote an article for the Paris magazine "Journal des Debats" telling the public of Sax's new invention?

Answer: Hector Berlioz

Hector Berlioz conducted "Chant Sacre" which featured a saxophone part. George Kastner's opera "Last King of Juda" was the first orchestra to feature a saxophone. Jules Demerssemann was a composer who wrote an orchestra containing a saxophone part. Nazaire Beeckman was a Professor of Saxophone at Brussels Conservatory.

5. In what year did Sax get the patent for his saxophone?

Answer: 1846

The saxophone went through many stages before finally becomeing the saxophone. One type of early saxophone was called the saxhorn.

6. How many different kinds of saxophone did Sax invent?

Answer: 14

The saxophones that sax invented himself were the Eb Sopranino, Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Eb Baritone, Bb Bass, and the Eb Contrabass in the keys of Eb and Bb. He also, in the keys of F and C, invented the F Sopranino, C Soprano, F Alto, C Tenor, F Baritone, C Bass, and the F Contrabass.

A Bb sopranissimo sax has been invented, but not by Sax himself. You can see where I found this info at http://www1.tip.nl/~t875094/saxgb/typesax.html

7. After Sax's patent expired, which company re-patented the saxophone?

Answer: Millereau Co.

After Sax lost his patent the Millereau Co. took the patent for the saxophone and then added a forked F flat key. This key evolved into the spoon keys that are seen on today's saxes.

8. What year did Sax lose his patent for the saxophone?

Answer: 1866

His patent lasted for 20 years before it expired.

9. Yes or No: After Sax lost his first patent did he ever get the rights to the saxophone back (re-patent)?

Answer: Yes

Actually in 1881 Sax extended the patent on his original one. After he got this patent he extended the bell of the horn, which allowed it to play a low Bb and A. He also tweeked it to allow it to play the high F sharp and G.

10. When did Adolphe Sax die?

Answer: 1894

After Sax died many changes were made to the saxophone to make it how it is today. You can find a timeline, which is where I found most of the info for this quiz at www2.potsdam.edu/CRANE/mcallitp/timeline

Source: Author Cardys

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
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