Saxophone beginners Scales and transposing

[Paul]

Hi all, please excuse my ignorance but her goes
I have a copy of all the scales from 'Taming the saxophone'. If i play along with a piano player, do the sax scales have to be transposed so i am in the same key
kind regards
Paul.T

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi all, please excuse my ignorance but her goes
I have a copy of all the scales from 'Taming the saxophone'. If i play along with a piano player, do the sax scales have to be transposed so i am in the same key
kind regards
Paul.T

Indeed they do I'm sorry to have to tell you.

Either you or the piano player will need to transpose.

If tenor, you transpose up a whole tone or the pianist transposes down a tone. So you play C when they plays Bb


If alto, you play up a major 6 or the pinaist transposes down a major 6. You play G when they play Bb.

 

[kevgermany]

Just pick the set in the appropriate key - so if the piano's playing in C and you're on alto, use the Eb scales and so on.


Edit - see Colin's correction below.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If the piano is playing in "C" you need to be in "A" on alto.

"C" on the alto is "Eb" on the piano

 

[Paul]

Hi,thanks for the replies. So do i need to be 3 semi-tones higher or lower than the piano, as the above advice appears to be different . One says C on the piano is A on alto , the other says C on the piano is Eb on alto ?
Confused !
Paul T

 

[kevgermany]

If the piano is playing in "C" you need to be in "A" on alto.

"C" on the alto is "Eb" on the piano

Sorry, was late at night - thanks for the correction Colin.

 

[thesaxman71]

Here is a little chart for you, hope this helps:
Piano - Alto
C - A
C#/Db - A#/Bb
D - B
D#/Eb - B#/C
E/Fb - C#/Db
F - D
F#/Gb - D#/Eb
G - E
G#/Ab - E#/F
A - F#
A#/Bb - G
B/Cb - G#/Ab

*notes written on right side of the slash mark are called the enharmonic equivelant meaning they sound the same but can be written in another way eg. F#/Gb = F# can be also written as Gb, G# can also be written as Ab etc etc...

 

[Paul]

Okay i have it now,thanks to all who replied and 'thesaxman'for the chart
Paul.T

 

[Targa]

Make it easy for yourself just tell the piano player he's in the wrong key.

 

[thesaxman71]

Okay i have it now,thanks to all who replied and 'thesaxman'for the chart
Paul.T

you are welcome, if you need a chart for tenor sax just ask and i will oblige 🙂

 

[Ivan]

If alto, you play up a major 6 or the pinaist transposes down a major 6. You play G when they play Bb.

When it comes to transposition, sober pianists find it easier to do than drunken pinaists

 

[MandyH]

I each of my sax cases, I keep a copy of this chart with a chromatic scale in concert pitch, Eb and Bb, so I can quickly see what I need to play in order to sound concert pitch, or indeed what to tell a pianist to play in order to sound saxophone pitch!

😀

 

[Young Col]

I keep a chart like Saxman's in my case too - concert/alto/tenor.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Better to have one in the back of your head.

 

[MandyH]

Better to have one in the back of your head.

I am working on it....but my poor brain is full of other stuff and it's taking a long time :crying:

 

[BigMartin]

I am working on it....but my poor brain is full of other stuff and it's taking a long time :crying:

The chart will make it take longer, though. If you have to work it out every time it will stick much better.

 

[thesaxman71]

The chart will make it take longer, though. If you have to work it out every time it will stick much better.

yes, best way is to learn it, always.

 

[jake]

View attachment 1391

I each of my sax cases, I keep a copy of this chart with a chromatic scale in concert pitch, Eb and Bb, so I can quickly see what I need to play in order to sound concert pitch, or indeed what to tell a pianist to play in order to sound saxophone pitch!

😀

Thanks for the chart Mandy. Will find this very helpful while I try to get in my head.