Saxophone beginners Changing Keys

[Nutmegger1957]

At THIS point, I’m SUCH a newbie, that I’m looking at all those keys that aren’t directly under a finger, and wondering how in the DEVIL am I going to play THOSE?!

Seems like someone designed keys for every part of my hand to lean on, roll over, twist around, etc!!
For the life of me, I can’t IMAGINE how ya’ll figure it all out!!

 

[nigeld]

As a beginner, I think the only key you have to worry about that isn't under a finger is the side B-flat.
You can happily ignore the rest of them at first.

 

[Halfers]

Just ignore them for the time being. Concentrate on the keys under the fingers and the tables under the pinky fingers. Only side key you might need at the moment is the Bb key, but you don't need to use that, because there is an alternative Bis key at the front of the sax, below your left forefinger. Get yourself a decent book and learn your first fingerings. I've been playing 18 Months and I only use two of the side keys.

Oh and for goodness sake, keep away from the self destruct key!😳😱

 

[spike]

Perhaps this may help you to get started:

The Best Saxophone Fingering Charts

 

[Nutmegger1957]

Well I don’t know where the B-flat key is that you guys are talking about that I can ignore, but I’ll see if I can find it.

As for the self-destruct OK, I’m building an ejection button, but most of the spaces are occupied and I don’t know where to put it!

 

[Halfers]

Well I don’t know where the B-flat key is that you guys are talking about that I can ignore, but I’ll see if I can find it.

As for the self-destruct OK, I’m building an ejection button, but most of the spaces are occupied and I don’t know where to put it!

See Spike's link. All will be revealed.

 

[nigeld]

On a straight soprano sax, the self-destruct key is also called "High-G".
Attempting to use it causes people and animals to evacuate the area.
As far as I know, the other saxes don't have one.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you think there are a lot of keys on a saxophone...try a piano. 😉

 

[Dibbs]

At THIS point, I’m SUCH a newbie, that I’m looking at all those keys that aren’t directly under a finger, and wondering how in the DEVIL am I going to play THOSE?!

Seems like someone designed keys for every part of my hand to lean on, roll over, twist around, etc!!

Try learning the recorder. You'll be glad you picked an instrument with lots of keys.

For the life of me, I can’t IMAGINE how ya’ll figure it all out!!

Look at the holes they open/close. Apart from the one you play with your thumb they're mostly fairly straightforward.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Well I don’t know where the B-flat key is that you guys are talking about that I can ignore, but I’ll see if I can find it.

It? Oh dear. There are several ways to finger Bb. I can think of 6.

 

[Halfers]

It? Oh dear. There are several ways to finger Bb. I can think of 6.

Again, safe to ignore at this point and probably for some time to come.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Unlike the pooter...there's no ignore button on the saxophone 😉

 

[Nutmegger1957]

I spent a good amount of time on a piano keyboard so I understand what you mean about that.

As for the recorder, I play a native American flute so I understand that concept as well.

 

[Keep Blowing]

I spent a good amount of time on a piano keyboard so I understand what you mean about that.

As for the recorder, I play a native American flute so I understand that concept as well.

As the others have said don't worry about it for the time being, it will become easier with time. I always thought how difficult a trumpet must be, only 3 valves and all those notes to find.

 

[Nutmegger1957]

As the others have said don't worry about it for the time being, it will become easier with time. I always thought how difficult a trumpet must be, only 3 valves and all those notes to find.

Ain’t THAT the truth!!

 

[jbtsax]

You may want to get this book Standard of Excellence with an accompaniment CD, and work through it. All of the things that are confusing at first are presented one at a time in a logical order. You know kind of like "eating an elephant". 🙂

 

[Colin the Bear]

As for the recorder, I play a native American flute so I understand that concept as well.

Unlike ethnic instruments the recorder uses the Boehm system. Most fingerings transfer readily to other Boehm woodwinds.

 

[6441]

I would think this page would be useful, @Nutmegger1957, incude a lot of newbie questions and fingering charts. Somewhere is the explanation of the many ways to finger a Bb.

 

[kevgermany]

Seems like someone designed keys for every part of my hand to lean on, roll over, twist around, etc!!

It's to get you dancing as you play.

 

[Nutmegger1957]

Velocity of air; diameter of the instrument shaft; distance from air source to exit hole; vibration rates.......

All of that plays a part in the similarities between instruments.