Is it a good idea to go to alto to tenor Sax?

Question

I'm thinking about swithing to alto sax on the 2nd semester of school. But is it a good idea to switch alto to tenor. I know all the fingerings the only difference is the scales

Answer 1

Absolutely!  Some people say that it is just a matter of personal preference in tone, but there is a little more to it than that.

Once you start advancing in high school, more opportunities open up for you if you are familiar with more than one type of sax.  The embouchure is different for each sax, and the role that each sax plays in any given genre is dramatically different.

For example: if you are playing in the pit for a musical, alto will play more melody than the tenor, and will most likely be more rhythmically demanding.  Tenor will help fill in the inner voices and add harmonies.  Now in jazz band, the alto will still most likely have most of the melody lines, but is also responsible for setting the style for the whole band.  Tenor will still play harmonies, but usually the rhythmic patterns are more complex, and generally have more solos.  The brass is used to fill in the inner voices.

As far as embouchure, just because you have a beautiful tone on alto does not mean that you will have a good tone on tenor (and vice versa).  It takes a little practice on each horn to learn the nuances.  When you first switch to the more relaxed embouchure of tenor, you will probably squeeze and choke your notes, and play consistently sharp.  A couple weeks of practice and you should be fine, but it takes time to learn!

When you get to college, you will be expected to be able to play both.  Many auditions are done on alto, then they will ask you which sax you would like to be considered for- they assume you will play tenor or bari at the same skill level as your alto (which is not always the case!)

If you have the opportunity to learn both, I would take it!  It will teach you to listen better (you will be playing a different role) and will teach you a new set of musical skills.  

As far as fingerings and scales go- they are the same for all the saxes!  The only difference is the transposition into concert pitch.  For example, if you are playing a Bb Major scale on Alto, you can switch to Tenor and play a Bb Major scale using the EXACT same fingerings.  Now, if you are told to play a CONCERT Bb Major, on Alto you start on a “G” (you play your G Major scale); on Tenor, you start on a “C” (you play your C Major scale).  For alto (an Eb instrument) you go down a minor 3rd.  For tenor (a Bb instrument) you go up 1 whole step- it’s actually easier!

Good luck, and remember to have fun! :)

Answer 2

then you should be good.

Answer 3

out of all the saxophones, i prefer the tenor saxophone. i love it's tonal warmth. (next in line would be the soprano sax, then alto, then bari, etc.)

in the end, it's your choice & if you decide to switch, you will be good at alto, but i wouldn't switch as a personal preference.