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Well, that depends on your personal opinion. I have played and own both. So, make your own decision (the bolded bullets are the biggest differences):
- Both the Tenor and Alto are in the middle-range of pitch, so they are both very versatile instruments.
- Both have a very recognizable and quite beautiful (If I do say so myself) shape and sound.
- The Tenor can play lower notes than the Alto, while the Alto can play higher notes than the Tenor.
- The Tenor is in the key of Bb, while the Alto is in the key of Eb.
- The Tenor is larger than the Alto, while the Alto is smaller than the Tenor.
- Both are relatively easy to play, but in general, larger people with larger mouths, hands, and lungs have an easier time playing the Tenor; while smaller people with smaller mouths, hands, and lungs have an easier time playing the Alto. (That's not to say that big fat men don't play Alto and tiny skinny women don't play the Tenor; it's just an observation.)
- The Tenor often takes more lung-power than the Alto, while the Alto often takes more mouth-power.
- Of the two instruments, the Tenor is more likely to play harmony and the Alto more likely to play melody, but they're pretty much equal.
- They have the same fingerings, but read different music.
I may have missed some comparisons, but I think that covers most of it (at least the basics). It is pretty easy to switch between the two, and I have to say that I would HATE to have to choose between the two. They're great instruments.
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Which is bigger out the tenor and alto saxophone?
The yenor saxophone is definately better because the notes are more powerful and less squeeky than the alto.
What are the special features of an alto saxophone?
The alto saxophone has a neck, keys, and a bell. It is played through a reed, classifying it as a woodwind instrument rather than a brass instrument. It is smaller than a tenor saxophone and larger than a soprano saxophone, and the alto saxophone is the most commonly played saxophone in the world.
What is an alto saxophone?
An alto saxophone is a musical instrument, a member of the saxophone family which is smaller than the tenor saxophone but larger than the soprano saxophone. Its heard range goes from concert pitch Db3 to concert pitch Ab5.
Is there such athing as a tenor saxophone?
Yes, there is. It is the tenor voice in the saxophone family--larger than an alto and smaller than a baritone. The easiest way to distinguish it from other saxes is it has a dip or curve in the middle of its neck.
What does an alto sax sound like if you use a tenor sax mouthpiece with it?
It sounds the same, you just need to push in the mouthpiece into the neck. Just like saying, what would happen if you played a tenor saxophone with an alto saxophone mouthpiece. I have played a tenor before with my alto sax mouthpiece. What I meant to say was to push the mouthpiece in more than you would on the alto saxophone neck. The first time I answered I didn't sign in.
What is the name of all 7 woodwind instruments?
Flute bassoon oboe clarinet alto saxophone piccolo tenor saxophone there are a lot more than 7
Is the saxophone lower pitched than the french horn?
It kind of depends on the saxophone. Maybe an alto or baritone saxophone would be about the same pitch or lower. A tenor saxophone definitely would sound lower.
What is the difference between a soprano and alto flute?
a soprano is straight like clarinet and usaully gold colored and the alto is curved on the bottom it makes a 180 degree turn outward. and a soprano sax is smaller and often straight instead of curved. it is pitched at B flat as opposed to E flat. alto sax is the most common saxophone. musicmoo :) Soprano sax is sometimes semicurved and sometimes straight. It has the same pitch as a tenor sax whereas an Eb alto sax is the same pitch as a baritone sax. hope this helps, Saxesofevil and walt899
What instrument makes up the tenor and bass section of the woodwinds?
Soprano: flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, soprano saxophone. Alto: english horn, alto saxophone. Tenor: tenor saxophone, alto clarinet (despite its name, it is usually used as a tenor instrument). Bass: bassoon, contrabassoon, bass/contrabass clarinets, baritone saxophones. Of course, since woodwind instruments typically have a greater range than human voices, there is considerable overlap between parts. Bassoons frequently play the tenor part, and clarinets often play the alto part.
What is a saxophone alto?
An Alto Saxophone is one of the many types of saxophones, it is much smaller than many of them such as the tenor, baritone, and so many others. The Saxophone is also a wind instrument. For reeds, for the Alto the Best size is 2 1/2. Basic clean supplies include a string swap, old toothbrush or a scrubber, reeds.
How big is the tenor saxophone?
It depends, the saxophone has a large family the largest saxophone, the Tubax can stand up to 6 feet tall while the smallest the soprillo is about 8 inches. The saxophone family goes as follows: (Largest, (Lowest) to smallest (highest) Tubax Subcontra-bass Saxophone Contra-bass Saxophone Bass Saxophone Baritone Saxophone Tenor Saxophone C Melody Saxophone (technically only a half step higher than the tenor so about the same size. Alto Saxophone Soprano Saxophone Sopranino Saxophone Soprillo Saxophone
Can you use a sax reed for a clarinet?
Well yes and no. When you finger a note on alto and tenor the notes in the relative key (Bb for tenor and Eb for alto) are fingered the same way. So a C on an alto and a C on a tenor are fingered the same way, but sound different. On tenor it's a concert Bb, when on alto it's a concert Eb. But for fingering purposes and just generally learning the instrument, yes.
