After playing sax for 50 years, I can say that studying the Eb Alto is the key to total saxophone understanding. From the alto, you can then proceed to the Bb tenor, Eb baritone sax, and the Bb soprano.
I agree that it’s easier to understand tge saxophone when starting on alto, but you can also start on tenor with the same results. I’ve known several people who’ve done that. Thanks for your insight!
thanks for all the input . btw a local teacher told me to put a tenor reed on the alto and try it and I got to tell you guys I haven’t looked back and now tenor and alto are just as easy oh tho tenor has to blow like the Wolf😂😂😂
I prefer the alto saxophone for several reasons. One reason being that I've always considered the saxophone to be a small instrument, and the tenor saxophone is a medium instrument. I mostly think of the saxophone as being slightly larger than the trumpet. And the tenor saxophone is quite a bit larger than the trumpet. I prefer the lower notes on the alto saxophone over the higher notes. Also the kind of music I listen to is more suited for the tenor saxophone, but despite that I still prefer the alto saxophone.
This is quite helpful and informative. This is by far the best comparison video I've watched. Definitely going for tenor saxophone because of the rich sound 7:508:50 and its great as solo 8:11
I’ve played alto in middle school band and now first tenor for my jazz band. I really love the sound of tenor in jazz and it’s been amazing doing many solos with it. For classical and upright music I usually play with alto because it sounds more fit into that category. All in all, they’re both so good and I love improvising with both so thanks for the vid!
so i’ve started to play the alto after switching from bass clarinet, i’ve really enjoyed it. i find that i preferred playing the bass line. but after switching to alto it’s super fun to play solos and stuff. if i were to compare my 2 instrument experiences it would go like this: sound: alto parts in music: b. clarinet tone: b. clarinet high notes: alto low notes: b. clarinet i’ve decided i’m more of a bass line person so i would like to switch to a bari sax. for anyone wondering, alto plays melodies and solos, bari does bass line but can do solos, and tenor can do both.
Nice video. Wish I saw this before I purchased my sax. I recently purchased an alto sax for a lot of reasons you gave, but my primary reason was that it is smaller than a tenor which makes it more portable and easier to manage, esp if you have to travel. Also it was on sale, so I decided it was the perfect time to get it. Love the sound of the tenor so I may purchase one in the future.
Life is short. Coming from clarinet, I found both YAS/YTS-32 (used). A good reed on either tips the balance, but a good reed on tenor is memorable. The alto easier on your neck. If you have space and means, you want them both.
@@dustinhellenI love the sound of the bari. Seen some ladies in bands play a bari and I’m amazed at their skill level. They make playing one look so easy and fun, but the instrument looks like a beast to me.
today is the 32nd day Yesterday I put a tenor reed on the alto and it sounds amazing I definitely like better the alto for learning and then give the tenor what I learn in the alto and is always more beautiful but when I go back to the alto That’s when is like going in 5gear and it gets exiting that each sax helps the other one in agility and sound and is amazing how much one day of practice can do on the sax! thanks for the welcome!
This is interesting! I have thought about the fact that one saxophone helps development with another saxophone. The mouthpieces are all different sizes and you need a different embouchure for each one. Good comment!
i’ve been playing flute for 3 ish years now in band and since im in jazz band now my band teacher wants me to switch to tenor saxophone. do you have any tips for getting started on the instrument?
Going from the flute to the tenor is a big jump. I would say to make sure your embouchure is right: teeth on top of the mouthpiece, bottom lip tucked in creating a cushion for the reed, and most importantly, don’t change your mouth position for any note on the horn. Rock solid. Play a G, remember how that feels in your mouth, then that mouth position should remain the same for every note
C melody also has a curved neck fyi, its simply smaller or inbetween the alto and tenor. Tenor takes getting used to, but I prefer it as far as range. The low Bb is incredibly resonate.
Thank you for this video. Question about your mic placement. That mic looks like the Rode NT1. If so, it’s a side address mic, but it looks like the end of the mic is pointed at the bell. Do you find that the sound is better in this position? Thanks!
I started off on alto sax, and have played alto, tenor and bari regularly, I personally prefer tenor and bari due to the rich deep sound of them, but alto is so much easier to transport
@@dustinhellen I wish! They're crazy expensive to buy, but its one of my goals in life to be able to afford to buy one, at least a good one. I'm sure I can find a cheap used one, but I want something that'll last
Yea I hear ya on the price! If I was going to buy a bari i'd get the best one I could get, and if that meant I would need to save a couple more years that's what I would do. I would only buy a good bari once. I hate that there is such a huge increase in price from a good tenor to a good bari! But if you look at it from a vioinist's perspective or a flute player's perspective, their top-of-the-line instruments are well over $10,000, and even in the six-figure mark, so I guess it is all relative.@@thekathrynwest
ok so i am in grade 6 and currently play the bass clarinet. in a month from now some of the band get specialty instruments which are alto, tenor, baritone saxophones, oboes and french horns, i definitely know i want to play a saxophone. but what would be a good sax to switch to from bass clarinet?
Hi! Great to hear that you’re wanting to switch to saxophone! Coming from bass clarinet, I would recommend the tenor saxophone. It has a mouthpiece that is similar in size to the bass clarinet, and is roughly equal in size. Also, both the bass clarinet and tenor sax are pitched in Bb, which means you can play the same exact music on both instruments. If you have music for bass clarinet, you could play that same music on tenor and it would sound the same. I think it would be an easier transition for you. Let me know if you get a tenor!😃
I would recommend the alto bcuz its easier to start on. My friend started on a tenor and it was a lot harder but If you can get good on an alto and even a baritone sax will be easy to learn
I’ve known a few who have started on tenor too but it required more air and was heavier so it was difficult at first. They loved the low Bb on tenor though!
Hi good day, I really enjoyed the lessons 😊, the reason why I came to your channel is because am about to get a sax and am having two mind , either the Alto or the tenor , but now I think I will go for the Alto , but am still gathering the money for the sax 😞, if anyone can help me get it , I will really appreciate Meanwhile Thanks for the lessons, I really appreciate 😊
Not necessarily. Everyone is different. Tenor is good for some people to start on. Everyone’s embouchure is different and a tenor could be better for some people to start on instead of the alto. Depends on the individual person.
@@dustinhellenhow is that? I’m starting out and I have a hard time holding embochure in place on the alto but very easy on the tenor. Both yamaha 4c mouthpieces on yamaha student saces.
@@sleepdoctor09 Yes, exactly my point earlier...it depends on the individual. It's great that you have an easier time on tenor than alto, that's different from the majority on saxophone, and that's great!
I have a problem. My classmates gave me an alto sax for my 18th birthday, and I practice with it. However, I feel like the alto doesn't inspire me. So I would like to buy a tenor sax (at least not to replace the alto). But my mother won't let me spend the money I have on a tenor sax. What can I do in this case? Because this thing is making me lose hope
Hey Overlight, I'm sorry to hear that you're losing hope because you don't find the alto inspiring enough. What I would do first is find a few alto sax players that have a sound you really like, and find their songs and maybe a backing track or two so you can play their songs with the recording. If you need recommendations on who to listen to, I'd be glad to help you out there. Otherwise, if the alto still isn't doing it for you, I'd say figure out why your mom is not allowing you to spend your money on a tenor. Is it because you already have a saxophone and she doesn't feel a 2nd saxophone is needed, or is it something else? There are ways you can try to convince her so she will lean to your side. Find out what the reason is. Hope this helps!
ok so a tenor can produce alto sounds but the alto cannot go as deep but they both are leaders in their ground i guess ill go with the tenor for now because is easier and still sounds amazing
Ah very good choice. Which tenor are you getting? The tenor and alto are both equally as popular, but the alto is what most people start on. It really depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. To be honest with you, eventually when you keep at it, you will most likely own one of each! Sometimes you want a husky, low, deep tone the tenor can provide, while other times you want the clarity and high register the alto can provide.
i got a tenor first 30 days ago 15 days ago got an alto and few days later a C melody but I love all 3 today Im 30 days of hard practice and it’s paying off but I got to say the alto is the easiest so far
I started with benjamin adams but planing to get a nice professional one because this is the first time people actually complemented me on playing anything and I done guitar for 5 years violin for 4 months clarinet for a fe days and now I sleep work and live by my sax
@dustinhellen Lower notes occupy a wider frequency rage so the slight vibrato and nuances in movement around the note can be more expressive. When you go as low as bass frequencies the human ear struggles hearing that definition so the tenor just hits that sweet spot for an expressive lead instrument kind of like a downtuned guitar. And the drummer can actually fill the mid-high to high frequency range with hats, crashes, rim shots and even high toms among other things, you know, like on an old Blue Note record.
Tenor definitely has a deeper sound, better for certain genres of music. When you have a minute you should check out my comparison video between two tenors (Mark VI and Yamaha).
I think you should mention that they are transposing instruments. Playing a g fingerings on alto doesn't play a concert g it plays a concert b flat because the alto is in the key of e flat. Tenor sax to play a concert B flat you would finger a c because it is in b flat. Although the fingerings are the same the note played with that fingerings is not... Just a thought.
Good point. The alto is in Eb and to play a concert Bb it would be a G on alto but a C on tenor. However, I mention that the fingering is the same on all saxophones. If you want to play a G on any saxophone, you put down 3 fingers. A 'G' note, transposing aside, is always 3 fingers regardless what saxophone you're playing. If you are transposing, you would play a different note, but it would still be the same fingering if you play the same note on all saxophones, that was my point. Thanks for the comment.
After playing sax for 50 years, I can say that studying the Eb Alto is the key to total saxophone understanding. From the alto, you can then proceed to the Bb tenor, Eb baritone sax, and the Bb soprano.
I agree that it’s easier to understand tge saxophone when starting on alto, but you can also start on tenor with the same results. I’ve known several people who’ve done that. Thanks for your insight!
thanks for all the input
.
btw
a local teacher told me to put a tenor reed on the alto and try it
and I got to tell you guys I haven’t looked back and now tenor and alto are just as easy oh tho tenor has to blow like the Wolf😂😂😂
Tenor has a certain edge to it. I play both but tenor is my favorite
Yea you’re right it does have an edge to it. All things being equal the alto sounds smoother and tenor “dirtier”
I prefer the alto saxophone for several reasons. One reason being that I've always considered the saxophone to be a small instrument, and the tenor saxophone is a medium instrument. I mostly think of the saxophone as being slightly larger than the trumpet. And the tenor saxophone is quite a bit larger than the trumpet.
I prefer the lower notes on the alto saxophone over the higher notes. Also the kind of music I listen to is more suited for the tenor saxophone, but despite that I still prefer the alto saxophone.
That’s a great observation. I think both are great, but for different styles of music. For me I guess it depends on what style is being played.
This is quite helpful and informative. This is by far the best comparison video I've watched.
Definitely going for tenor saxophone because of the rich sound 7:50 8:50 and its great as solo 8:11
Wow thank you for the compliment! Let me know what kind of tenor you end up getting! Do an unboxing if you can!
Awesome Video. really enjoyed the playing part. it was super helpful showing different styles 🔥🙌 had 10:05 on repeat for a bit 😁
Thank you!
I’ve played alto in middle school band and now first tenor for my jazz band. I really love the sound of tenor in jazz and it’s been amazing doing many solos with it. For classical and upright music I usually play with alto because it sounds more fit into that category. All in all, they’re both so good and I love improvising with both so thanks for the vid!
Thanks! Yes the tenor fits very well in a jazz setting. Alto fits very well in classical like you said too. Good points!
so i’ve started to play the alto after switching from bass clarinet, i’ve really enjoyed it.
i find that i preferred playing the bass line. but after switching to alto it’s super fun to play solos and stuff.
if i were to compare my 2 instrument experiences it would go like this:
sound: alto
parts in music: b. clarinet
tone: b. clarinet
high notes: alto
low notes: b. clarinet
i’ve decided i’m more of a bass
line person so i would like to switch to a bari sax.
for anyone wondering, alto plays melodies and solos, bari does bass line but can do solos, and tenor can do both.
Good points! Just a word of warning…bari can be addicting, especially if you play funk bass lines and involve that meaty low A!
@@dustinhellen lol
Thank you for a clear comparison. I definitely appreciated you using the same songs for comparing both saxophones.
@@shadowlink3339 you’re welcome! Thanks for watching
Nice video. Wish I saw this before I purchased my sax. I recently purchased an alto sax for a lot of reasons you gave, but my primary reason was that it is smaller than a tenor which makes it more portable and easier to manage, esp if you have to travel. Also it was on sale, so I decided it was the perfect time to get it. Love the sound of the tenor so I may purchase one in the future.
It's always nice to get a saxophone when it's on sale, so no problem there. Let me know when you get a tenor!
Gonna start alto lessons in 2 days. My first ever instrument!
@@MuffinEnjoyer Great to hear! Have fun!
Life is short. Coming from clarinet, I found both YAS/YTS-32 (used). A good reed on either tips the balance, but a good reed on tenor is memorable. The alto easier on your neck. If you have space and means, you want them both.
Yes for sure! When you get more serious with the saxophone you eventually get one of each, and if that keeps going, you expand to soprano and/or bari!
@@dustinhellenI love the sound of the bari. Seen some ladies in bands play a bari and I’m amazed at their skill level. They make playing one look so easy and fun, but the instrument looks like a beast to me.
Yea I don't blame you. Bari played by a woman is like a curved soprano on a big guy@@paulready8897
This helped me a lot choose between alto and tenor, thanks. Great video
Fantastic! Really happy this helped you!
Great demonstrations of each!
Thank you! Which was your favorite and why?
today is the 32nd day Yesterday I put a tenor reed on the alto and it sounds amazing I definitely like better the alto for learning and then give the tenor what I learn in the alto and is always more beautiful but when I go back to the alto That’s when is like going in 5gear and it gets exiting that each sax helps the other one in agility and sound and is amazing how much one day of practice can do on the sax! thanks for the welcome!
This is interesting! I have thought about the fact that one saxophone helps development with another saxophone. The mouthpieces are all different sizes and you need a different embouchure for each one. Good comment!
i’ve been playing flute for 3 ish years now in band and since im in jazz band now my band teacher wants me to switch to tenor saxophone. do you have any tips for getting started on the instrument?
Going from the flute to the tenor is a big jump. I would say to make sure your embouchure is right: teeth on top of the mouthpiece, bottom lip tucked in creating a cushion for the reed, and most importantly, don’t change your mouth position for any note on the horn. Rock solid. Play a G, remember how that feels in your mouth, then that mouth position should remain the same for every note
don't bite too hard!
It's easier to go from Bb Clarinet to Eb alto, then it is to go from Eb alto to Bb clarinet.
I agree with that. The clarinet embouchure is more focused and “tighter,” a good precursor to the alto.
What mouthpiece and reed are you using in these instruments? Thank you for the video :-))
For alto I use a Claude Lakey 7*3 with a Vandoren V16 2.5 reed, and on tenor I use a Jody Jazz DV 7* with a Vandoren V16 3.5 reed
C melody also has a curved neck fyi, its simply smaller or inbetween the alto and tenor.
Tenor takes getting used to, but I prefer it as far as range. The low Bb is incredibly resonate.
Yes im aware of the C melody. This horn is hardly ever seen or used so I didn’t mention it in the video. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this video. Question about your mic placement. That mic looks like the Rode NT1. If so, it’s a side address mic, but it looks like the end of the mic is pointed at the bell. Do you find that the sound is better in this position? Thanks!
Honestly i'm just experimenting with mic placement. I wasn't even aware that it was a side address mic. Thanks for pointing tthat out!
@@dustinhellen I only asked because it still sounds great. I’ve seen others do the same. Thanks for the video and response!
I prefer the tenor sax especialy when playing Altissimo
Yea I agree that altissimo sounds better with tenor! What do you have for a tenor?
Que bueno ha sido este video, muchas gracias! Genio!
Gracias!
In my opinion Alto sax is better for accompaniment, while Tenor sax is better for solos. I personally prefer the tenor sax, because of its rich tone
@@bludivvy86 interesting! Yes the tenor is definitely a great solo horn, that’s for sure
I started off on alto sax, and have played alto, tenor and bari regularly, I personally prefer tenor and bari due to the rich deep sound of them, but alto is so much easier to transport
That’s awesome! Do you have your own bari?
@@dustinhellen I wish! They're crazy expensive to buy, but its one of my goals in life to be able to afford to buy one, at least a good one. I'm sure I can find a cheap used one, but I want something that'll last
Yea I hear ya on the price! If I was going to buy a bari i'd get the best one I could get, and if that meant I would need to save a couple more years that's what I would do. I would only buy a good bari once. I hate that there is such a huge increase in price from a good tenor to a good bari! But if you look at it from a vioinist's perspective or a flute player's perspective, their top-of-the-line instruments are well over $10,000, and even in the six-figure mark, so I guess it is all relative.@@thekathrynwest
ok so i am in grade 6 and currently play the bass clarinet. in a month from now some of the band get specialty instruments which are alto, tenor, baritone saxophones, oboes and french horns, i definitely know i want to play a saxophone. but what would be a good sax to switch to from bass clarinet?
Hi! Great to hear that you’re wanting to switch to saxophone! Coming from bass clarinet, I would recommend the tenor saxophone. It has a mouthpiece that is similar in size to the bass clarinet, and is roughly equal in size. Also, both the bass clarinet and tenor sax are pitched in Bb, which means you can play the same exact music on both instruments. If you have music for bass clarinet, you could play that same music on tenor and it would sound the same. I think it would be an easier transition for you. Let me know if you get a tenor!😃
Great video
thank you!
I would recommend the alto bcuz its easier to start on. My friend started on a tenor and it was a lot harder but If you can get good on an alto and even a baritone sax will be easy to learn
I’ve known a few who have started on tenor too but it required more air and was heavier so it was difficult at first. They loved the low Bb on tenor though!
Hi good day, I really enjoyed the lessons 😊, the reason why I came to your channel is because am about to get a sax and am having two mind , either the Alto or the tenor , but now I think I will go for the Alto , but am still gathering the money for the sax 😞, if anyone can help me get it , I will really appreciate
Meanwhile Thanks for the lessons, I really appreciate 😊
You're welcome! Let me know when you get an alto!
@@dustinhellen I just got an tenor sax sir
@@dikavee That's awesome! What did you get?
@@dustinhellen Tenor sax sir
@@dikavee I know that but what brand/model?
I like both. Cool video bro.
Thank you! Let me know when you get one of each!
It's always more beneficial to start on the alto saxophone and then go to tenor later on then the other way around.
Not necessarily. Everyone is different. Tenor is good for some people to start on. Everyone’s embouchure is different and a tenor could be better for some people to start on instead of the alto. Depends on the individual person.
I started on tenor and had never played a wind instrument before
@@dustinhellenhow is that? I’m starting out and I have a hard time holding embochure in place on the alto but very easy on the tenor. Both yamaha 4c mouthpieces on yamaha student saces.
@@sleepdoctor09 Yes, exactly my point earlier...it depends on the individual. It's great that you have an easier time on tenor than alto, that's different from the majority on saxophone, and that's great!
thank you
You're welcome. I'm glad you got something out of this video!
hello teacher I want to buy a tenor saxophone. what can you advise.
Hello! It’s great that you want a tenor! Have you played the saxophone before or are you a complete beginner?
I have a problem. My classmates gave me an alto sax for my 18th birthday, and I practice with it. However, I feel like the alto doesn't inspire me. So I would like to buy a tenor sax (at least not to replace the alto). But my mother won't let me spend the money I have on a tenor sax. What can I do in this case? Because this thing is making me lose hope
Hey Overlight,
I'm sorry to hear that you're losing hope because you don't find the alto inspiring enough. What I would do first is find a few alto sax players that have a sound you really like, and find their songs and maybe a backing track or two so you can play their songs with the recording. If you need recommendations on who to listen to, I'd be glad to help you out there.
Otherwise, if the alto still isn't doing it for you, I'd say figure out why your mom is not allowing you to spend your money on a tenor. Is it because you already have a saxophone and she doesn't feel a 2nd saxophone is needed, or is it something else? There are ways you can try to convince her so she will lean to your side. Find out what the reason is.
Hope this helps!
@@dustinhellen Thanks for the help. I managed to convince my mom and maybe she'll get me a tenor sax for Christmas
@@overlightth Fantastic! Keep me posted if that happens!
@@dustinhellen I will 😄
@@hampter2407 Hey, nice! 😄
TENOR !
That's cool! What do you like more about the tenor?
If the neck is curved, it could also be a C melody saxophone.
This is very true! C melody tenors are convenient because they are non-transposing instruments, a benefit for sure!
ok so a tenor can produce alto sounds but the alto cannot go as deep but they both are leaders in their ground i guess ill go with the tenor for now because is easier and still sounds amazing
Ah very good choice. Which tenor are you getting? The tenor and alto are both equally as popular, but the alto is what most people start on. It really depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. To be honest with you, eventually when you keep at it, you will most likely own one of each! Sometimes you want a husky, low, deep tone the tenor can provide, while other times you want the clarity and high register the alto can provide.
i got a tenor first 30 days ago 15 days ago got an alto and few days later a C melody but I love all 3 today Im 30 days of hard practice and it’s paying off but I got to say the alto is the easiest so far
I started with benjamin adams but planing to get a nice professional one because this is the first time people actually complemented me on playing anything and I done guitar for 5 years violin for 4 months clarinet for a fe days and now I sleep work and live by my sax
@@johndeer4250 That's awesome! Welcome to the saxophone world. What's next? A Bari? A soprano? Keep us updated!
@@johndeer4250 That's really great. I hope you continue to be passionate about the sax.
The tenor in my opinion sounds way cooler than alto.
Interesting! So you play tenor?
@@dustinhellen ... No , I don't play any sax , only guitar. To my ear the tenor is a beautiful sound. The alto is a little high pitch for me.
I LIKE the Alto
Me too! What do you like best about it?
Watch George Thorogood, Bad To The Bone. The correct way to play is to hold an Alto Sax in your right hand and a Tenor Sax in your left hand.
Yea this would get a lot of attention for sure! I have tried playing both at the same time but not for others!😂
: )@@dustinhellen
: )@@dustinhellen
Bad to The Bone, is my favorite Sax Song..@@dustinhellen
Alto has a slightly tighter embouchure then the tenor.
That is very true. Do you prefer alto or tenor?
@@dustinhellen I prefer Alto for classical, and Tenor for jazz, however both will work for everything.
I much prefer Tenor
@@Deatg-ek8rf that’s great, but why?
@dustinhellen Lower notes occupy a wider frequency rage so the slight vibrato and nuances in movement around the note can be more expressive. When you go as low as bass frequencies the human ear struggles hearing that definition so the tenor just hits that sweet spot for an expressive lead instrument kind of like a downtuned guitar. And the drummer can actually fill the mid-high to high frequency range with hats, crashes, rim shots and even high toms among other things, you know, like on an old Blue Note record.
I picked the alto saxophone 🎷😎
Yes! Exciting…..what brand?
Mark VI @@dustinhellen
For a true comparison between alto and tenor, use a Meyer hard rubber mouthpiece for alto, and a hard rubber Meyer for tenor.
Good idea, if I had one for both I would do that
The tenor sound better. The alto sound screamy.
Tenor definitely has a deeper sound, better for certain genres of music. When you have a minute you should check out my comparison video between two tenors (Mark VI and Yamaha).
But I heard soprano sax is the best, because they have a whole series about it on HBO. Also, bigger = better, so alto is the worst of the three.
Interesting. I’m not sure i follow your logic there but I do love soprano, so I guess that makes sense
The alto is more lively, the tenor more deep, rich. I prefer alto, which I have.
I agree with what you are saying about the sound. What kind of alto do you have?
@@dustinhellen Yamaha Yas 23
A right angle is 90 degrees.
the alto neck angle is more like 110 degrees.
Yea i realize that. In the video I mention it’s not a perfect right angle but kinda looks like it.
👍
Ex brass section player. Baritone!
Say whaaaat?
@@dustinhellen B A R I T O N E. King of the sound pyramid. hahaha
Buenas tardes prefiero tenor sax
Muy bien! Porque?
El sonido me encanta
Tenor definitely sounds better the alto is kind of squeakier
Interesting. The alto is definitely higher and has a thinner sound compared to the tenor. You probably prefer the deep husky sound of the tenor
Like for you.
Thank you!
Buenas me gusta más el tenor🎷
Por'que?
I think you should mention that they are transposing instruments. Playing a g fingerings on alto doesn't play a concert g it plays a concert b flat because the alto is in the key of e flat. Tenor sax to play a concert B flat you would finger a c because it is in b flat. Although the fingerings are the same the note played with that fingerings is not... Just a thought.
Good point. The alto is in Eb and to play a concert Bb it would be a G on alto but a C on tenor. However, I mention that the fingering is the same on all saxophones. If you want to play a G on any saxophone, you put down 3 fingers. A 'G' note, transposing aside, is always 3 fingers regardless what saxophone you're playing. If you are transposing, you would play a different note, but it would still be the same fingering if you play the same note on all saxophones, that was my point. Thanks for the comment.