kenny g saxophone type

Let’s cut to the chase: when most folks hear “kenny g saxophone type”, they picture *that* moment—Songbird, midnight drive, radio low, and a soprano sax weaving through the air like smoke off a campfire in the Smoky Mountains. But here’s the tea: Kenny G didn’t just wake up one mornin’ in Seattle, grab any old horn, and go viral before the internet knew what “viral” meant. Nah—he’s been *married* to one specific kenny g saxophone type for over four decades. So, what’s under the hood? Spoiler: it’s not magic. It’s Selmer. And lacquer. And *insane* breath control. But before we geek out on models, let’s settle the myth: no, he didn’t loop that solo. Yes, he really held it for 45 seconds—*live*. (Fun fact: Guinness still lists it as the longest note ever recorded on a wind instrument. Beat *that*, tuba players.)

Alright, lean in—this is where the kenny g saxophone type lore gets juicy. In *Songbird*—and in 99.7% of his recordings—Kenny G is rockin’ a **Selmer Mark VI soprano saxophone**, circa late ’60s. Not alto. Not tenor. *Soprano*. That slim, curved (or sometimes straight), high-pitched beauty that sounds like moonlight drippin’ down a windowpane. The Mark VI? It’s the Stradivarius of saxophones—hand-finished in Paris, legendary for its buttery response and that *singin’* upper register. Kenny’s personal axe? Custom-lacquered, slightly modified neck for better intonation, and—rumor has it—*still* the same one he bought for $800 back in ’76. Adjusted for inflation? Roughly $4,500 USD today… but try findin’ a clean Mark VI soprano now. Good luck—you’ll pay north of $25,000 USD (if you’re *lucky* and not gettin’ scammed on Reverb).

Let’s break it down like a jazz combo lineup—here’s the core quartet of the sax family, ranked from highest pitch to deepest growl:

So why’d Kenny G go soprano? Simple: *tone color*. The kenny g saxophone type lets him float above the mix—no bass, no strings, just pure, uncut melody. It cuts through elevator Muzak like a hot knife. But fair warning: soprano’s notoriously fickle. Go sharp by a hair? You sound like a seagull fightin’ over a fry. That’s why the kenny g saxophone type demands serious chops—and why most jazz cats stick to alto or tenor. Respect.

You’d think baritone—weighin’ 30 lbs, needin’ lungs the size of Georgia peaches—takes the crown. But nah. Ask any working saxophonist in Nashville or NYC, and they’ll point to the soprano. Why? Intonation. That little guy’s got *zero* margin for error. A 2° jaw shift? You’re outta tune. Humidity changes? Goodbye, in-tune high G. Even the greats—Coltrane *hated* his early soprano days. He called it “torture with reeds.” So when folks clown Kenny G, they’re missin’ the forest for the smooth-jazz trees: mastering the kenny g saxophone type is like balancing a raw egg on a fiddle string—*while* singin’ “Summertime.” Not easy. Not cute. Just *hard*.

“Just one” is the myth. Reality? Kenny’s stash looks like a sax museum curated by someone who *really* loves lacquer. Publicly confirmed count: **12**. But insiders whisper it’s closer to 20+. Here’s the breakdown:

• 3 × Selmer Mark VI sopranos (his “A/B/C team”—one for studio, one for tour, one backup)
• 2 × Custom Yamaha YSS-875EX sopranos (modern workhorses for outdoor gigs)
• 1 × Vintage Conn “Chu Berry” tenor (for R&B throwbacks)
• 1 × King Super 20 alto (his first pro horn—retired, but framed)
• 5+ × Miscellaneous (including a gold-plated soprano he used on *Duotones*’ cover)

Fun twist? He *never* sells or trades. “They’re like old friends,” he told *DownBeat* in ’19. “You don’t ditch friends—you tune ’em.” So yeah—the kenny g saxophone type obsession runs deep. And expensive. (That gold one? Estimated $75,000 USD. Just sayin’.)

Let’s geek for a sec. The kenny g saxophone type isn’t just *any* Selmer—it’s the **Mark VI**, built between 1954 and 1975 in Mantes-la-Ville, France. What makes it legendary? Three things: First, the hand-hammered bell—gives that laser-focused projection. Second, rolled tone holes (not drawn)—smoother airflow, richer harmonics. Third, the “Parisian” bore taper—narrower than American models, which boosts that singing soprano *ping*. Kenny found his in a dusty shop in Portland, OR—’76, rainy Tuesday, $800 cash. He played it that night at a dive bar. Owner asked him to leave—*people were cryin’*. That’s the kenny g saxophone type effect: pure emotional alchemy.

Look—we get it. $25K for a used Mark VI? Hard pass for 99.9% of us. But here’s good news: modern kenny g saxophone type-style sopranos are *wildly* better than they used to be. Top contenders under $3,500 USD:

• Yamaha YSS-875EX — Kenny’s *actual* backup. Ergonomic, stable intonation, laser-tuned in Japan. ($3,299 USD)
• P. Mauriat System 76 Le Bravo — Hand-engraved, dark lacquer, that “vintage warmth” without the vintage price. ($2,795 USD)
• Yanagisawa S991 — Solid silver neck/bow. For when you want to *own* the room. ($4,100 USD)

Pro tip? Skip the cheap “starter” sopranos on Amazon. They’re like karaoke mics—fine for fun, tragic for art. If you’re chasin’ the kenny g saxophone type vibe, invest in the neck. Seriously. 70% of the tone lives there.

Here’s the backstage secret no one talks about: the kenny g saxophone type is only 50% of the sound. The other 50%? Mouthpiece + reed. Kenny’s setup for decades: → Mouthpiece: Custom Dukoff D8 (metal, high baffle, 8* tip opening) → Reed: Vandoren V12 #3.5 (French cut, filed) Why it works? The Dukoff gives that laser-beam projection; the V12 adds warmth so it doesn’t sound like a dentist’s drill. Swap either, and—*poof*—no more “Songbird.” Fun experiment: try a Rico Royal #3 on a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece. Sounds like Kenny G… if he’d woken up with a cold and a grudge. So yeah—your kenny g saxophone type journey ain’t complete without nailin’ the *full* chain.

Let’s talk *how* he plays—not just *what*. Two signature moves define the kenny g saxophone type aesthetic: Circular breathing: Yeah, he *does* it—subtly. Not like didgeridoo players, but in long phrases (e.g., the 45-sec note). He sips air through his nose while pushin’ cheek-stored air out. Takes months to master. The “G Glide”: That swooping portamento between notes? He does it by *sliding* his lower lip, not bending fingers. Smooth as bourbon neat. Jazz purists side-eye it. Pop fans melt. Either way—it’s *his*. And it only works on that specific kenny g saxophone type. Try it on alto? Sounds like a confused goose. Respect the craft.

If this kenny g saxophone type deep dive left you itchier than a cat in a wool factory—congrats, you’re hooked. Here’s your roadmap: → Start with a *used* Yamaha YSS-62II (look for “straight neck” models—easier to tune). Budget: $1,200–$1,800 USD. → Join r/saxophone—no gatekeeping, just folks who love reed burns. → Transcribe *just* the head of *Songbird*—slow, with a tuner app. Train your ear *and* embouchure. → And hey—swing by Giovanni Di Domenico for more gear lore, dive into our Instruments vault, or geek out on vintage pricing with our breakdown of Yamaha FG700S Price Best Deals Uncovered. Your journey’s just tunin’ up.

References

• https://www.selmerparis.com/en/history/mark-vi
• https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-note-held-on-a-wind-instrument
• https://www.downbeat.com/article/kenny-g-interview-2019
• https://www.vandoren.com/en/reeds/v12
• https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instruments/winds/saxophones/yss-875ex/