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    Woodwind

    Tenor Saxophone Fingering Chart

    Tenor saxophone fingering chart - same fingering system as alto saxophone.

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    © Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method

    Tenor Saxophone Fingerings

    The tenor saxophone uses the same fingering system as the alto saxophone. The main difference is that the tenor sounds a perfect fifth lower than the alto and is a larger instrument.

    Transposition Note

    The tenor saxophone is a Bb instrument. When you play a written C, it sounds as a concert Bb (a major 9th lower than written).

    Tenor Saxophone Fingering Table

    NotePrimary FingeringAlternate Fingering
    Bb2
    1-2-3 / 1-2-3-C
    B2
    1-2-3 / 1-2-3
    C3
    1-2-3 / 1-2
    C#3/Db3
    1-2-3 / 1-2-C#
    D3
    1-2-3 / 1
    D#3/Eb3
    1-2-3 / 1-Eb
    E3
    1-2-3 / -
    F3
    1-2 / -
    F#3/Gb3
    1-2 / F#
    G3
    1 / -
    G#3/Ab3
    1 / G#
    A3
    - / -
    A#3/Bb3
    - / Bis Bb
    1 / - (side Bb)
    B3
    Octave, 1-2-3 / 1-2-3
    C4
    Octave, 1-2-3 / 1-2
    C#4/Db4
    Octave, 1-2-3 / 1-2-C#
    D4
    Octave, 1-2-3 / 1
    D#4/Eb4
    Octave, 1-2-3 / 1-Eb
    E4
    Octave, 1-2-3 / -
    F4
    Octave, 1-2 / -