Is alto or tenor sax better?

Is alto or tenor sax better?

Size. The most obvious difference between the two instruments is their size. The tenor sax is slightly larger and heavier, while the alto sax is smaller, lighter, and more easily managed than a tenor. … Since the alto sax is smaller, its notes are higher and brighter than those of the tenor sax.

How much does a tenor sax cost?

The tenor saxophone is a musical instrument which you can commonly use in classical music. This type of saxophone is an occasionally included member for symphony orchestra. The price of Tenor saxophone usually varies from 200 USD to 500 USD. But while it is for the professional user it may cross thousand dollars.

Which saxophone is best for jazz?

The tenor saxophone is the one most closely associated with jazz players, as it is a mainstay in that genre. It is tuned to Bb and has the familiar, curved body style. Since it is not as large or heavy as the baritone or bass sax, the tenor is somewhat easier for young beginners to play.

What is the highest note on a tenor sax?

The Tenor Saxophone is pitched in Bb and the range is from the lowest note Bb (written Bb below the staff) to highest note written F above the staff. Note, the tenor sax actually sounds a major 9th below what is written (an octave plus a major 2nd).

What note does a tenor sax tune to?

Tenor saxophones are tuned to B♭, and alto saxophones are tuned to E♭, but when playing the same note on a score, the fingerings are the same.

Why is tenor sax in B flat?

The reason for this is due to concert pitched instruments like piano or guitar. If you were to play a middle C on a piano and then play a C on your sax you'll get two different pitches. Thus when transposed you'll get a concert B flat from a sop or tenor, and a concert E flat from an alto or baritone.

What is the lowest note on a tenor sax?

The lowest note a tenor saxophone can play is a low Bb (or A# if you prefer). It is written as Bb2, but since the tenor saxophone is a transposing instrument it is written a whole 14 semitones higher (on the staves) than it actually sounds.

Can you play chords on a saxophone?

Usually there are other chordal instruments playing under the Sax but the Sax can be part of a chord usually with other Sax players and Trumpets etc and the Sax can of course be used to play arpeggios and scales and outline or imply the harmony of the chords.

What is the lowest note a saxophone can play?

How can you tell the difference between an alto sax and a tenor sax?

The most obvious difference between the two instruments is their size. The tenor sax is slightly larger and heavier, while the alto sax is smaller, lighter, and more easily managed than a tenor. The neck of an alto saxophone also comes up slightly at the end, while the neck of a tenor bends slightly down.

Is tenor sax a low Reed?

Choral voices are Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. Basses of course being the low voices. Tenors, then, are a middle voice, with the Baritone Saxophone being the frequent low voice in Saxophone writing. The Bass Saxophone, if available can also of course be the low voice.

What is the lowest note on a baritone sax?

Like the alto saxophone, they are E-flat instruments so sound a minor 3rd or a major 6th different from concert pitched instruments. Most modern baritone saxophones have the addition of the 'low A' whereas others can play a B-flat as their lowest note.

How low can a tenor sax go?

Modern tenor saxophones which have a high F♯ key have a range from A♭2 to E5 (concert) and are therefore pitched one octave below the soprano saxophone.

How tall is a tenor saxophone?

The Tenor Saxophone is tuned to the key of B flat. It measures about 3 feet and is longer than the Alto. Generally, the Tenor has a deeper tone which makes it perfect for Jazz music. In fact, it is most commonly associated with that genre.

How many octaves can a saxophone play?

Modern saxophone players have extended the range to over four octaves on tenor and alto. Music for most saxophones is usually notated using treble clef.

What does a tenor sax look like?

The tenor saxophone uses a larger mouthpiece, reed and ligature than the alto and soprano saxophones. Visually, it is easily distinguished by the curve in its neck, or its crook, near the mouthpiece. … Tenor sax has been an important solo instrument in jazz music.

What is the range of a tenor sax?

The tenor sax is pitched in the key of Bb; modern tenor saxophones have a high F# key and a range from Ab2 to E5 (concert) and are therefore pitched one octave below the soprano saxophone. The tenor saxophone consists of a larger mouthpiece, reed, and ligature than the alto and soprano saxophones.

What key is a tenor saxophone in?

The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B♭ (while the alto is pitched in the key of E♭), and written as a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding an octave and a major second lower than the written pitch.

Why is alto saxophone E flat?

This is when you discover that your saxophone is in a different key. Yes an alto is in Eb and a tenor is in Bb. This is because they are what is commonly called a “transposing instrument”. … We say they are “pitched” in the key of C because a C on the instruments sounds the same pitch as an actual C (aka concert pitch).

What is a flat on alto sax?

G Sharp = G# A Flat = Ab. These two notes sound the same, but have different names depending on a few things. But they are actually the same note. Description: Using your LEFT hand, place your three main fingers on the three main keys of your saxophone and press them down.

What key is a baritone sax in?

It is a transposing instrument in the key of E♭, pitched an octave plus a major sixth lower than written. It is one octave lower than the alto saxophone.

Is alto sax E flat?

The alto saxophone, also referred to as the alto sax or alto, is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s, and patented in 1846. It is pitched in E♭, and is smaller than the tenor, but larger than the soprano.

How do you transpose tenor sax?

Alto. The range of the alto saxophone is from concert D♭3 (the D♭ below middle C—see Scientific pitch notation) to concert A♭5 (or A5 on altos with a high F♯ key). As with most types of saxophones, the standard written range is B♭3 to F6 (or F♯6). Above that, the altissimo register begins at F♯ and extends upwards.

How do you transpose tenor sax to alto sax?

By standard fingering conventions, an alto saxophone can play 32 or 33 notes (depending on whether a dedicated high F# key is found on the instrument). With extended techniques and fingerings, it's possible to play about 53 notes, but once you reach high enough, you're really just squeaking.