Tenor Sax notes/fingerings?!?!
Question: I just got a tenor sax and I really want to start playing right now. But i don't know, how do I get sound to actually come out? when i started flute, it took me two months to get a real sound out of it; is it easier with tenor sax? what should i do to get the notes out?
also, lets say for the note B flat, how do you finger it? Which keys do you play with your left hand and which with your right?
any other beginners advice would be helpful :) thanks!
Answers: I just got a tenor sax and I really want to start playing right now. But i don't know, how do I get sound to actually come out? when i started flute, it took me two months to get a real sound out of it; is it easier with tenor sax? what should i do to get the notes out?
also, lets say for the note B flat, how do you finger it? Which keys do you play with your left hand and which with your right?
any other beginners advice would be helpful :) thanks!
Well, if you know the fingerings of the flute, then you should get most of them w/the tenor sax. Alot are the same. Getting a sound is like playing a kazoo. you have to soak or suck on your reed until it's good and wet. You won't get a good tone on a dry reed. You should wrap your lower lip over your bottom teeth (so if you have a nasty grill you better get some orthodontic wax cuz it'll hurt). You push air between the mouthpiece and the reed. The air makes the reed vibrate. You should just try making the noise first without the instrument attached. Your parents will probably want to shoot the duck they keep hearing roaming through the house, but hey, it's a start. I recommend going here for a fingering chart. http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/sax/sax_bas_...
Fingering chart (tenor is the same as alto, you may have to enlarge it):
http://www2.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/lcmsa/Mu...
A few tips on beginning:
http://www.ehow.com/how_909_begin-play-s...
I would definately buy a beginners book if I were you. That's what I did (I play alto saxophone) and it taught me how to play it properly. I also started playing in a concert band in a beginners program, which helped a great deal. Private lessons help as well if you have the money. If you teach yourself without ANY books or info to help, it may result in you having the wrong embouchure (the way you hold your mouth when you play the instrument) which will limit how far you can progress.
You can find heaps about how to play it online, use Google to look.
Also, make sure you have a suitable reed to play with. I would reccomend size 1 and a half or 2 to begin.
NOTE: DON'T EVER puff your cheeks out when you play!
Personally, I found it a lot easier to get a note out of a saxophone than a flute.
Good luck, hope it helps! :-)