SAXOPHONE
PITCH TENDENCIES AND SOLUTIONS
Full Chromatic Range of Pitch Tendencies
There are some notes on the instrument that will always be out of tune even if a good embouchure is being used, and it is in good working order and is tuned correctly. While it will be different from one saxophone to another, the notes indicated below are the ones that tend to be the most out of tune.
PITCH TENDENCY CORRECTIONS
Below are suggested solutions for the most troublesome notes on the saxophone.
On the saxophone, alternate fingerings can change the tone significantly. Try to change the voicing, or shape of oral cavity, before using an alternate fingering.
The standard fingering is shown in black.
A green key means to add that key to the standard fingering, and a red key indicates to take away that key from the standard fingering. (NOTE: All red keys should be included in the standard fingering.)
On the saxophone, alternate fingerings can change the tone significantly. Try to change the voicing, or shape of oral cavity, before using an alternate fingering.
The standard fingering is shown in black.
A green key means to add that key to the standard fingering, and a red key indicates to take away that key from the standard fingering. (NOTE: All red keys should be included in the standard fingering.)
To track what your own specific instrument does, use this downloadable pitch tendency tracker!