Saxophone beginners Bb-C-Bb transition, alternate key or not

[tisho]

Being a beginner, I was taught to use mostly main keys and less alternate ones. But when learning to play Paul Desmond's solo from "Take Five", I've found out that when playing the part with C-Bb-C-Bb-G it sounds much better when using the side key for Bb instead of the Bis Bb key. Is this just me not been able yet to switch smoothly between Bb and C or the alternate key is the preferred option here?

 

[jbtsax]

In most instances the side Bb fingering is preferred when the Bb is going to or from C or G, however there are many players whose individual fingering preferences are contrary to the "preferred" fingerings. "The
Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal has an excellent section on the use of alternate fingerings.

 

[Targa]

Try going from bis Bb to B and the C side key.

 

[Colin the Bear]

For that particular movement I would use side. I never use Bis and regularly use long. All three are "main" and you should use the one most appropriate. I started on clarinet where there is no Bis and being self taught carried on with clarinet fingerings. Can't get used to it now.

 

[Jeanette]

I was taught G-Bb-G use the button Bb-C-Bb use the side key. I seem to default to side key for most Bb though...


Jx

 

[Sue]

If you can try to gradually include as many alternate fingerings as you know in your daily practice you will become familiar with them. Once you're comfortable playing them you won't think of them as alternates and just play whatever suits the piece you are playing.

 

[kevgermany]

Once you're comfortable playing them you won't think of them as alternates and just play whatever suits the piece you are playing.

I wish... It's not the fingering, it's remembering to use a different one to normal. My memory's so bad, I can never remember until after I've got my fingers in a knot and then realised there was a better way.

 

[Sue]

I'm no expert at anything much let alone memory, however I don't think it's memory as much as familiarity that makes us recall physical actions isn't it? If you liken it to driving a car (or other daily routines) you don't have to make yourself remember what to do, you just do it. I think alternate fingerings are the same, although we are all wired differently so might be trickier for some than others.

 

[Guenne]

Hey,

I play bis whenever possible, even sometimes from B to Bb and vice versa.

However, side Bb would be main for me.
I'd surely play bis in the line mentioned above.

Cheers, Guenne

 

[jbtsax]

I have played enough demanding classical literature to come to appreciate the usefulness of alternate fingerings. There are some passages that are fast enough that without an alternate fingering, they are next to impossible. Folks who are not pushed to those technical limits may find any Bb fingering will do, but I have always found Teal's "suggested" fingering to be the most useful (and logical) in certain note combinations.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Of course you can alternate them just for the sound effect not forgetting bottom Bb overblown