The C melody saxophone is a vintage horn pitched in the key of C – unlike the more common Bb tenor or Eb alto. Popular in the 1910s-1930s, it was designed so amateur musicians could play from piano or vocal sheet music without transposing. It has a size and tone somewhere between an alto and tenor. C melodies fell out of favor as jazz and big band music demanded brighter, more powerful sounds, but they’ve gained niche popularity among collectors and vintage tone enthusiasts.