What is saxophone c melody?

The C melody saxophone, also known as the C tenor saxophone, is a saxophone that is pitched in the key of C rather than B flat or E flat. It was popular in the early 20th century as a transitional instrument between the traditional orchestral instruments and the jazz band instruments. The C melody saxophone was designed to be played without transposition, so that the notes written on the page matched the actual notes that were produced, making it ideal for reading music in concert pitch. It has a range similar to the tenor saxophone, but with a wider bore and a larger bell, giving it a richer and more robust sound. The C melody saxophone is now considered a rare instrument, as it was only produced for a short period of time (roughly 1915-1930) and has since been replaced by the more commonly used B flat and E flat saxophones.