sopranino

American  

[soh-pruh-nee-noh] / ˌsoʊ prəˈni noʊ /

noun

plural

sopraninos

1. a musical instrument, as a saxophone or recorder, that is a pitch higher than the soprano instrument of its class.

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sopranino British  

/ ˌsɒprəˈniːnəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the instrument with the highest possible pitch in a family of instruments

   2. ( as modifier )

      a sopranino recorder

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Etymology

Origin of sopranino

1900–05; < Italian, equivalent to sopran ( o ) soprano + -ino diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Also on offer was Ewart’s piping, ecstatic approach to the sopranino saxophone, informed by bebop and the avant-garde alike.

From New York Times

When Roscoe Mitchell brandished his sopranino sax on the piece just after “Edge,” it was in short staccato bursts of honk and screech that created a unique layer of syncopation.

From Washington Post

His flights of fancy on the sopranino recorder relied on elaborately soulful ornamentation in the slow movement, accompanied by two violins and viola that played with gossamer grace.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Coltrane, who played much of the set on sopranino saxophone, provided the trio’s most heroic voice, its main source of impassioned exposition.

From New York Times

They favored a twitchier free-form interplay, full of jackhammered clusters and rattling cowbells, with Mr. Mitchell blowing gales through his sopranino saxophone.

From New York Times