0
Why is an alto sax and a baritone sax Eb and soprano and tenor sax in Bb?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Because they are all different sizes, but the inventor wanted the fingering to be the same for every size. The only way to do that when the natural length of one size makes its lowest note a fourth lower than the smaller size, is to have the music written in different keys - transposed. When an alto sax plays the fingering for a C, the sound that comes out has a concert pitch of E-flat. When a tenor sax uses the same fingering, and it's still called a C, the note that comes out has a concert pitch of B-flat.
To make them sound the same concert pitch, the different sizes have to be written as different notes. If a composer wants an alto sax to play a concert C, he or she will write the part as an A. If a composer wants a tenor sax to play a concert C, he or she will write the part as a D.
By making the fingering the same for different sizes, and putting the burden of transposing on the composer/writer and publisher, even a relative amateur player can switch from one size of Saxophone to another fairly easily. This allows many students to learn on the alto sax, which is small enough for 6th graders to play, and then switch to the larger saxophones when the player has gotten bigger, such as in high school, without having to learn all new fingering.
The Clarinet family has the same system, by the way - the regular clarinet is a B-flat instrument, the alto clarinet is an E-flat, the Bass Clarinet is a B-flat.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Which is highest clarinet or saxaphone?
The Bb clarinet is higher than alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. But it is lower than the soprano sax.
What band is a saxophone in?
That really depends on the sax. The Alto, Baritone, Tenor, and soprano saxes are all usually in a jazz band together but a soprano is not used in concert band. The alto,tenor,and bari are all in concert band.
What are facts about the alto saxophone?
Alto Saxophones are in the key of E flat. The Saxophone was invented by Adolph Sax. There are 15 types of saxophones: Bb Sopranissimo, Eb Soprano, Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Eb Baritone, Bb Bass, Eb Contrabass, F Sopranino, C Soprano, F Alto, C Tenor, F Baritone, C Bass, and F Contrabass.
What is the difference between alto saxohone and tenor saxophone?
The Alto Sax is the second smallest in the range, The Soprano Sax is the smallest and plays in the highest register. The Tenor fits in the range between the Alto and the Baritone and is a fairly standard Jazz and blues instrument playing in the Mid to Bass range
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
Which is highest clarinet or saxaphone?
The Bb clarinet is higher than alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. But it is lower than the soprano sax.
What other name did the saxophone go by?
Saxophone also goes by sax (obviously). There are lots of types of saxophones Baritone (Bari) Soprano Alto Tenor Hope that helps It probably didn't.... Saxophone also goes by sax (obviously). There are lots of types of saxophones Baritone (Bari) Soprano Alto Tenor Hope that helps It probably didn't....
What band is a saxophone in?
That really depends on the sax. The Alto, Baritone, Tenor, and soprano saxes are all usually in a jazz band together but a soprano is not used in concert band. The alto,tenor,and bari are all in concert band.
What is the difference between the alto and tenor saxophone?
The Alto Sax is the second smallest in the range, The Soprano Sax is the smallest and plays in the highest register. The Tenor fits in the range between the Alto and the Baritone and is a fairly standard Jazz and blues instrument playing in the Mid to Bass range
What are facts about the alto saxophone?
Alto Saxophones are in the key of E flat. The Saxophone was invented by Adolph Sax. There are 15 types of saxophones: Bb Sopranissimo, Eb Soprano, Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Eb Baritone, Bb Bass, Eb Contrabass, F Sopranino, C Soprano, F Alto, C Tenor, F Baritone, C Bass, and F Contrabass.
What is the difference between alto saxohone and tenor saxophone?
The Alto Sax is the second smallest in the range, The Soprano Sax is the smallest and plays in the highest register. The Tenor fits in the range between the Alto and the Baritone and is a fairly standard Jazz and blues instrument playing in the Mid to Bass range
Are all tenor saxophones Bb?
Yes. All tenor saxes are pitched in Bb, as are soprano sax, clarinet, trumpet, and a number of other band instruments. Alto and baritone saxophones are pitched in Eb.
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 type of saxophone provides the highest pitch?
The highest pitch is on the soprillo sax. Then it would be sopranino, soprano, alto, C melody, tenor, Baritone, bass, contrabass, sub contrabass.
What saxophone do you have?
I have an alto sax. the have an amazing sound and are the perfect size for short people and tall people.
Are the notes played differently on the tenor and alto sax?
Yes. The Alto is an Eb instrument where the Tenor is a Bb instrument. The Alto plays one octave above Baritone and the Tenor one octave above Bass.
How big is a berry sax?
"Bari" sax (short for baritone, which is a vocal range, like soprano, alto, tenor, etc.) Stands probably about four feet tall, quite heavy. The baritone saxophone is the 2nd larges saxophone in the known saxophone world and is one of the hardest to play.
