Saxophones

Suggested

Ranges

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Suggested

Ranges

General Information

The saxophone, also known as the sax, is occasionally called for in modern orchestral music. But it's more commonly found in jazz and pop music. The saxophone is considered a woodwind instrument, even though it is constructed from metal.

The four basic types of saxophone are soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. While other types exists, such as the bass saxophone, they are rarely used.

Notation

Saxophone parts are written in the treble clef. All four types of saxophone have the same written range:

However, each saxophone transposes differently. Therefore, their sounding range is quite different. The soprano sax is a Bb instrument and sounds a Major 2nd lower than written. The alto sax is an Eb instrument and sounds a Major 6th lower than written. The tenor sax is a Bb instrument and sounds a Major 9th lower than written. And the baritone sax is an Eb instrument and sounds an octave and a Major 6th lower than written.

Range

Here is the sounding range for each of the four main saxophones:

Soprano Sax: Ab3 (a Major 3rd below Middle C) to Eb6 (an octave plus a minor 3rd above Middle C).

Alto Sax: Db3 (a Major 7th below Middle C) to Ab5 (an octave plus a minor 6th above Middle C).

Tenor Sax: Ab2 (an octave plus a Major 3rd below Middle C) to Eb6 (an octave plus a minor 3rd above Middle C).

Baritone Sax: Db2 (almost two octaves below Middle C) to Ab4 (a minor 6th above Middle C.)

To hear a musical example using the saxophone, please refer to the Film Noir topic in the Secret Composer's Quick Tricks Section.