Buescher Saxonette

The Saxonette is a rare historical woodwind instrument that emerged in the early 20th century, specifically designed as a bridge between the clarinet and the saxophone. It typically features a body similar to a clarinet but utilizes a saxophone-style mouthpiece and sometimes a curved metallic bell. It was primarily marketed to students and marching bands to help musicians transition between instruments or to provide a unique tonal quality that blended the characteristics of both woodwind families.

The most notable manufacturer of this instrument was the Buescher Band Instrument Company, based in Elkhart, Indiana. During the golden age of American instrument manufacturing, Buescher was a pioneer in design. While the Saxonette never achieved the mainstream success of the standard Eb or Bb clarinets, it remains a highly collectible piece of musical history. Today, the Buescher brand name is part of the Conn-Selmer portfolio, which is the leading American manufacturer of band and orchestral instruments.