I've never played the saxophone before, and I'm going to buy my first one soon. I'm not sure which one to go for? What's the main differences between the saxophones?
2006-12-11 00:09:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
Size, for starters. I play both saxophones, but I'm also short. I have a hard time handling the tenor because it's huge, but I play it because I want to be just like Coltrane. I mainly play the alto though because I can handle it and carry it around my neck for a much longer period of time than the tenor. (Tenor is much much heavier.)
Put them around your neck and see which one fits you physically the best. If you can handle the tenor, then you should play tenor. It's definitely a much cooler instrument to play I think because it's easier to mimic the smoky male jazz singers using the tenor. If not, the alto is great. You can strive to be just like Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderly
2006-12-11 03:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by Sax M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok look The majority of sax players start out on the alto sax. But to be honest, there is a higher demand for more soprano sax players. They are much lighter and, in my opinion, are more responsive. They are different, I mean... read your reviews, nobody said anything about the soprano! just left It out. I picked up the soprano for the first time after playing alto for three years and started doing things I did not know i could do. But to start out, I would choose alto because it is a settlement between tenor and soprano. I also suggest purchasing a bamboo sax, their pretty neat and fun for beginner sax players to professionals. The alto is lighter then the tenor and has a higher pitch. They will cost lest to. (in some cases) All note fingering are the same just different pitch. It's important to know how to play all of them eventually. Just get what fits your budget for now. After playing alto for a while, then decide if you want to go to tenor or soprano(which is the best of them all!!!) The soprano and tenor play in the same key as the alto does to the bari sax. Have fun!
2006-12-11 18:04:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decide what sound you like. Soprano saxes play in a higher range (Kenny G plays a soprano), alto saxes are still high, but not as high as the soprano. Tenor saxophones are a mid-range instrument and probably the most popular. Anytime you hear a sax wailing in a rock 'n roll song, it's more than likely a tenor. Baritone saxes are on the bottom of the tonal range, and while they accentuate the bass in music, they're not a popular solo instrument.
If you're really going to buy one soon, ask to hear a demonstration of the different types ... before you buy!
2006-12-11 00:20:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alto sax has a brighter sound and requires a little more embrochure (lip) muscle. The tenor is darker sounding and the embrochure is more relaxed than alto. The fingerings are the same for both. The other obvious difference is size. Alto is the smaller one, smaller instrument and smaller case. It doesn't matter which one you start on, you can easily switch later. Plus, most accomplished players play all the saxophones; soprano, alto, tenor and bari.
2006-12-11 04:37:10 · answer #4 · answered by Rick D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main differences are the size, sound, and the key it is in. The tenor sax. is in the key of Bb while the alto sax. is in Eb. The tenor sax. is bigger than the alto sax. If you do not want a big sax I would suggest the alto sax. As far as the sound, the tenor has a deeper sound than the alto does. Personally as far as the key the instruments are in, I would suggest a tenor sax. because it is easier to transpose music for the tenor sax than it is for the alto sax.
2006-12-11 08:52:52 · answer #5 · answered by clarinetist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Letter A Alto is tuned in E-flat. Tenor is tuned in B-Flat. I personaly prefer the sound of a tenor sax but it takes more air. (I've only tried once) Alto sax is smaller and takes less air(tried as well) Tenor sax have solos and such and alto sax, well, there's a lot of them
Or try a brass, like I play haha
2006-12-12 09:50:54 · answer #6 · answered by Uchihaitachi345 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i play tenor but the alto is a good one to start playing. Tip: the fingering is the same as a recorder for most of it
2006-12-14 01:04:42 · answer #7 · answered by Harleyquinn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tenor is a bit more demanding in therms of breathing technique (air column and mouthpiece) and fingers placement (bigger space between the keys) but you should try both at a specialist shop and choose the one that feel best for you.
2006-12-11 01:03:22 · answer #8 · answered by imprology 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all saxophones keys set up are the same , the alto is the most versatile , however. i recommend that one first. the only differences are size and pitch. it is an easy instrument to learn , but prepare to work hard and practice, practice, practice. only then will you be good.
2006-12-11 00:28:30 · answer #9 · answered by iron chef 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
really one is a little lower than the other... i was in band and I played percussion, french horn & trumpet... (i had a diffrent instrament each year{i ws in band 3 years}) but one of my friends play sayophone and thay alto beacause tenor is higher so therefor it is alot hareder to play for beginers... if you are just begening band than i have to tell you saxophonesare a hard instrament in general!
2006-12-11 02:54:15 · answer #10 · answered by bnay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋