Birth of Saxophone out of Coincidence

  
     
 

¡@¡@¡@A ruthless fire, helped the birth of first saxophone

 

  
 

¡@¡@Most people don't know that Taiwan has a world-class saxophone industry, with the number of saxophones produced ranked number three in the world. Back in 1947, there was a group of western music lovers in Houli, including a Japanese-educated doctor, an area gentile, and a draftsman, who planted the seed for western music by accident, opening the door for saxophone production in Houli.

 
 

¡@¡@This group of young men loved to entertain themselves and others by playing western music instrument. They formed a band based on the premises of shared ideals and interest, which included bringing western music and instruments to a small town in Taichung called Houli. An accidental fire gave Mr. Chang Lien-cheng the chance to study the parts of a saxophone in great details. He was able to put together the very first saxophone based on his drawings. He was considered the pioneer of western musical instrument manufacturing in Taiwan.


Formed a band based on the premises of shared interest

Formed a band based on the premises of shared interest

 
 
 

 

¡@¡@From a burned saxophone born a world-class craft industry, enabling Houli to become the founding place for Taiwan's saxophone manufacturing. Year after year, the saxophone makers always seek to make a better product, which results in the elevation of standard for the woodwind instrument. These experienced forefathers of saxophone are now in different parts of the nation making, maintaining, and performing saxophones, giving Houli the name of "The Capital of Musical Instrument."


A burned saxophone bore a world-class craft industry.

A burned saxophone bore a world-class craft industry.
 
     
 

¡@¡@Taiwan's ability to manufacture saxophones is something of a miracle, since Taiwan relied heavily on Japan for the importation of most musical instruments and parts. It not only started the trend for the popular music in Taiwan, it also established the basis for its place as the main suppliers for most of the major European and American companies, making Houli a significant place for saxophone production.

 
     
  ¡@¡@The aim of this article is to introduce the developmental history of Houli's saxophone in series, so that more people will know about this unique industry. It is hoped that more and more stories about Houli's legendary industry could be passed on to the next generations, and that Taiwan's capabilities and craftsmanship could be made known worldwide.