The term SAX refers to three different instruments. ALTO is a four letter word for a type of saxophone that is pitched in the key of E-flat and is slightly larger than the soprano saxophone. TENOR is a five letter word for a type of saxophone that is pitched in the key of B-flat and is larger than the ALTO saxophone. WOODWINDINABAND is a fifteen letter phrase for a type of saxophone that is often used in a band setting and is pitched in the key of B-flat, just like the TENOR saxophone.