Thank you so much! This helps me on knowing how the soprano sounds and the sheet music. I am doubling tenor and soprano because I need a smaller instrument for traveling! You are amazing!
Thank you so much! I'm an alto sax player learning soprano, and since the key is different, its really helpful to know which fingering makes which sound.
Anna Sundholm I am an alto player, and would love to learn soprano over summer. I know the key is different, along with some fingerings, but is it easy to learn because of prior experience with the alto? I do know that it is similar to the tenor, though. Thanks!
The fingerings are going to be the same for all saxophones (for the most part). Tenor and soprano are both in Bb, an octave apart. But alto will probably feel closer to soprano than tenor because of the size.
this is the best demonstration - specially for the soprano saxophone - which I have ever seen, my compliments for this work. Another question: is this demonstration also available in writing with the alternative handles? my greatest respect. Fritz K from Germany
On the second day of playing the sax I could play all the notes in the scale. I have had experience with clarinet and oboe though, so that may explain why I figured it out so fast.
I'm not sure why you're asking him rather than me. The mouthpiece is big factor in your sound, but more of it is internal to your own body. You develop your sound.
Awesome video! Why is that my notes are lower than what i try to play? for example if i do the fingering for a G on my soprano sax i get an F on my tuner ):?
That’s good you know now then. Music is written differently for instruments that transpose. If you did see music for piano, for example, and you wanted to play in the original key you would play it all up by a whole step.
What would the difference be between middle C# and high C#? Embouchure, air flow? Because I obviously note that both are played with no key pressed besides the octave key so it must be something else that makes you play a middle C# or high C#. Thanks
I actually play flute... I own and dabbled with alto sax back (and obeo) in HS... but I lent that sax to a friend's kid, and I haven't seen it in years. Been concentrating on guitar and bass. I was looking at a soprano sax ... thought I might take it up again. How different is the soprano to the alto? What reed size to you recommend to start?
Great video, thanks for showing and demonstrating every note / key combination. I would suggest that should be playing in tune. No one note is in tune, most of them are way out of tune.
Thanks Carlos. Yes, I was a bit out of tune for this video. I got this soprano in 2017 and made this video a few weeks later. (hadn't played much soprano before that). I play more in tune now. But the instrument itself is from 1929 and isn't the easiest sax to play in tune. Some notes are still hard to play in tune. Might remake the video. Do you play saxophone? Seems like you play guitar more?
@@SaxStation Dear Sax Station, thank you for your reply. I am starting to play soprano sax and I know what you mean about being hard to play in tune, especially such a vintage instrument as yours. As you noticed I have been a guitar player for over 50 years but I enjoy playing other instruments, bass, trumpet, flute, drums. My last "addiction" is the soprano sax and I find it particularly difficult to play it in tune. Than you for all your teaching. All the best.
Either alto or tenor, in different ways. About the same difficulty. Soprano will be the hardest to make sound good. I would choose tenor or alto based on which one you like the sound of better.
Feels pretty different to play notes. I have a flute, but haven't played it much lately. I started on clarinet. I thought sax/flute had similar fingering systems, a few differences though.
I'm hoping that I can properly word this, but I was under the impression that transposing notes between Alto and Soprano involved the changing of fingerings due to different notes being played? I haven't picked up my alto in a few years so I am a bit rusty on that knowledge. Also, in regards to the 3rd register F for an alto sax, I have found it easier to use a key that rests atop the upper-half of the B key and pressing the (I believe its the BIS key?) for a high F(along with Octave key obviously!). I mostly do this because it is much faster and efficient than all three palm keys. However, it feels like I require more air to play the former rather than the latter. Is that normal? I hope I managed to convey the proper image!
Basically, yes. If you read music you read in the same way though (if the music was written for your instrument). That key I would call the front F key. It is sometimes more efficient, but not always. It depends on which notes come before and after.
@@SaxStation no sir just the recorder. I think my idea of the saxophone is instead of your finger doing the closing of the holes it's the plugs when you press the knobs right?
When you're playing the Bb major scale, what's the starting note when playing the Soprano?? Since Soprano is a Bb instrument and Alto is a Eb wouldn't it be different starting notes?? Alto main here looking to learn soprano as well
At minimum, you'll need to buy or get a soprano sax reed. It's a bit different than flute in terms of getting a tone. Will take work to sound good, like anything else.
So I play clarinet, and I am thinking of playing soprano sax for jazz. I currently use strength 3 reeds on my clarinet. Should I buy the same strength for soprano?
That would probably be a good starting point. Your mouthpieces for the two instruments might be a bit different. So if it feels a little off, you might want a different number reed. Could be right though.
I think most sax players have a default Bb fingering they will use. Most likely will be the bis Bb or side Bb from what I have seen. Personally, my default is side Bb. But there are places in music where another Bb makes more sense. So I'll use a different option if it makes sense in that situation.
dear sax station, i played curved soprano sax or called baby sax, why sound of not different to list which you have given? is it because of my way to embouchure or model of mine?. really glad to hear your reply, thanks a lot
i just start to play about 1-2 weeks,then i used tuner apps to check every finger chart and every not of list is different, i used Zeff france baby saxo for now
I’ve found that soprano saxes are very fickle , you can adjust your embouchure and change notes by 1/2 tone, they take some playing they’re not robust like tenners they are very sensitive beasts I’ve had one for about 6 years and barely had the thing out of the box because it’s so unpredictable . It’s a bit like flying a helicopter it’s a very light touch . When I first started playing the flute I thought I’d never get the hang of putting the instrument up and hitting the note with consistency and quality but I guess if you keep,going it will all happen . Time to get the soprano out of the box and have another go Im thinking
When clarinet players change to sax, they always seem to start with alto, what if i want to start with soprano sax (i really like the way it looks and sounds)? is there a specific reason bc the straight soprano and clarinet seem very similar by the looks of it?
Not always, but maybe usually. I went from clarinet to tenor. It's going to be harder to play a soprano in tune compared to alto or tenor, but you could do that if you want.
Sax Station I play clarinet , im begginer But i like saxphone , thats why i want to buy a saxphone . But before i buy i wanted to know if there is only a type of saxphone with one tune or different types ? Thanks for answering
The four main types of saxophone are alto, tenor, baritone, and soprano. Tenor and Soprano are in Bb, like clarinet. Alto and bari are in Eb. You probably want to start on alto or tenor.
With the Soprano how do we pew vent squeaking, because that’s my main concern. Also, hot do I read notes faster because sometimes I get lost because I can’t read the notes fast enough.
Sax Station Thanks so much for the reply. I’ve been playing for only one year but this is my second year. And to be honest I only play at school during band which is like 45 minutes.
Sometimes an alternate fingering is more useful for a fast passage where you need to move your fingers quickly. But not as useful if you need to sustain the note since it may not sound as good.
You could if you really want to. It will probably be a little harder to play in tune, but to be honest, most saxophone players are fairly out of tune when they start.
This lesson is very helpful. Thank you ! Could you please show me how to put the neck properly on the curved soprano saxophone. Not sure if it should be straight or towards little bit to the left. Thank you 😊
I could probably do a video something like that. As long as it doesn't cause the octave mechanism to not work properly, I think either way would be all right. I don't have a curved soprano. But I have alto/tenor.
You can get a PDF of this fingering chart included with the beginning saxophone class I made, saxstation.com/saxophone-foundations-beginning-saxophone-class
@@SaxStation It wouldn’t let me make an account, I would really like to take a look at your website because I am a beginner and would like some inspiration.
It's not set up for you to make an account. That doesn't mean you can't access the content on the site. Just go to the site, you can use the menu and the search bar. What are you looking for?
ALL OF YOUR LESSONS AND TIPS ARE ON POINT I AM LEARNING SO MUCH . THANKS
Thanks for saying so Angel.
@@SaxStation question can you tell me how to play forever in love by Kenny g on soprano can you do a fingering chart for that
I'll consider it. You can make a donation at saxstation.com/tipjar
Bro left caps lock on 💀
Thank you so much! It helped me I am 12 years old(I use my moms saxophone. Now she gave it to me)
THANK YOU!! This is the the only informative video online about the soprano saxophone!!!!
You're welcome
@@SaxStation im a beginner of 2 months how long to play a sax
Thank you so much! This helps me on knowing how the soprano sounds and the sheet music. I am doubling tenor and soprano because I need a smaller instrument for traveling! You are amazing!
Thank you so much for taking the time out to make this video, it's very informative. ❤
Thanks
This was incredibly helpful. Thank You.
You're welcome
Excellent video, good explanation, well paced with clear visible and audible reference points, great job!
Thanks Nick
THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I'm just starting soprano and i'm REALLY glad i found your channel!
MusicMan have a question I was told by a instrument expert that it's not the horn that makes the buzzing sound on soprano it's the mouthpiece
MusicMan I was told Kenny g gets the sound that he have from his mouthpiece
The sound itself comes from the reed and the mouthpiece is also a big factor.
I’ve played Alto, tenor, and bari sax and this is my next objective 😏
Thank you so much! I'm an alto sax player learning soprano, and since the key is different, its really helpful to know which fingering makes which sound.
You're welcome. Glad it was helpful.
Anna Sundholm I am an alto player, and would love to learn soprano over summer. I know the key is different, along with some fingerings, but is it easy to learn because of prior experience with the alto? I do know that it is similar to the tenor, though. Thanks!
The fingerings are going to be the same for all saxophones (for the most part). Tenor and soprano are both in Bb, an octave apart. But alto will probably feel closer to soprano than tenor because of the size.
Sax Station Okay! Cool thanks! By the way, +1 sub!
ขอบคุณมากครับ มีประโยชน์มากครับ ช่วยให้ผมเล่นได้ดีขึ้นเร็วมาก 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
thank you very much! Great lesson!
this is the best demonstration - specially for the soprano saxophone - which I have ever seen, my compliments for this work. Another question: is this demonstration also available in writing with the alternative handles?
my greatest respect.
Fritz K from Germany
Thanks. Yes, right now it’s included if you buy the beginning class I made, which is on SaxStation.com
also the representation with the alternative handles? Ok what do i do?
On the second day of playing the sax I could play all the notes in the scale. I have had experience with clarinet and oboe though, so that may explain why I figured it out so fast.
Kaleid Stone question is it the mouthpiece itself that gives the sound on soprano that buzzing sound or the horn
Kaleid Stone because I've been trying to find a sax soprano that gives that buzzing sound like Kenny g
I'm not sure why you're asking him rather than me. The mouthpiece is big factor in your sound, but more of it is internal to your own body. You develop your sound.
Thank you ❤️👍💐💐💐
Excellent!!!
Thanks Robert!
Thank you so much, I'm trying to learn the soprano sax now, I find that breathing is easier on my alto hahaha :)
Cool, it can take a little time to get used to a different saxophone. What are a couple of songs that you want to play?
@@SaxStation oooh, I would really love to play classical pieces on the soprano, it sounds so wonderful 😊😊😊
Which piece specifically?
@@SaxStation I watched a yt performance playing Vocalise Op 34 by Rachmaninoff, it's so good. :) but I'm nowhere that level yet haha
Ah, cool. Do you remember the name of the person who played it?
Thank you
Awesome video! Why is that my notes are lower than what i try to play? for example if i do the fingering for a G on my soprano sax i get an F on my tuner ):?
Since the soprano sax is in Bb, it's a transposing instrument.
@@SaxStation Thank you! I was trying so hard to change my embouchure in order to hit a note higher haha
That’s good you know now then. Music is written differently for instruments that transpose. If you did see music for piano, for example, and you wanted to play in the original key you would play it all up by a whole step.
@@SaxStation Wow, thank you. It's going to take some getting used to coming from playing piano and guitar!
What would the difference be between middle C# and high C#? Embouchure, air flow?
Because I obviously note that both are played with no key pressed besides the octave key so it must be something else that makes you play a middle C# or high C#.
Thanks
For middle C# you do not press the octave key.
I notice many of these fingerings are similar to clarinet's higher range
That’s true. I also play clarinet. It was my first instrument
Sax Station omg same , but now I am mostly working on getting to know my saxophone
I actually play flute... I own and dabbled with alto sax back (and obeo) in HS... but I lent that sax to a friend's kid, and I haven't seen it in years. Been concentrating on guitar and bass. I was looking at a soprano sax ... thought I might take it up again. How different is the soprano to the alto? What reed size to you recommend to start?
I made a video comparing them. th-cam.com/video/ABGpVHbpV-s/w-d-xo.html
Maybe 1.5 or 2 for a reed.
I am learning so much thanks .
You're welcome, thanks for saying so Ravneer. What questions do you have?
Thanks
Great video, thanks for showing and demonstrating every note / key combination. I would suggest that should be playing in tune. No one note is in tune, most of them are way out of tune.
Thanks Carlos.
Yes, I was a bit out of tune for this video. I got this soprano in 2017 and made this video a few weeks later. (hadn't played much soprano before that).
I play more in tune now. But the instrument itself is from 1929 and isn't the easiest sax to play in tune. Some notes are still hard to play in tune.
Might remake the video.
Do you play saxophone? Seems like you play guitar more?
@@SaxStation Dear Sax Station, thank you for your reply. I am starting to play soprano sax and I know what you mean about being hard to play in tune, especially such a vintage instrument as yours. As you noticed I have been a guitar player for over 50 years but I enjoy playing other instruments, bass, trumpet, flute, drums. My last "addiction" is the soprano sax and I find it particularly difficult to play it in tune. Than you for all your teaching. All the best.
Im new to soprano sax
which is the easiest saxophone to start with out of three , soprano, alto or tenor ?
Either alto or tenor, in different ways. About the same difficulty. Soprano will be the hardest to make sound good.
I would choose tenor or alto based on which one you like the sound of better.
@@SaxStation Thankyou so much ...
I’ve been playing flute for 4 years and the sax is very different 😅
Feels pretty different to play notes. I have a flute, but haven't played it much lately. I started on clarinet. I thought sax/flute had similar fingering systems, a few differences though.
I'm hoping that I can properly word this, but I was under the impression that transposing notes between Alto and Soprano involved the changing of fingerings due to different notes being played? I haven't picked up my alto in a few years so I am a bit rusty on that knowledge. Also, in regards to the 3rd register F for an alto sax, I have found it easier to use a key that rests atop the upper-half of the B key and pressing the (I believe its the BIS key?) for a high F(along with Octave key obviously!). I mostly do this because it is much faster and efficient than all three palm keys. However, it feels like I require more air to play the former rather than the latter. Is that normal? I hope I managed to convey the proper image!
Basically, yes. If you read music you read in the same way though (if the music was written for your instrument).
That key I would call the front F key. It is sometimes more efficient, but not always. It depends on which notes come before and after.
so its kinda like playing my recorder/flute the difference is when you press something its closing instead of opening right?
It is similar in some ways. Different keys can open or close. Depends on which key.
@@SaxStation oh ok but does it always remain open until I press something?
Which key are you talking about? Have you played a saxophone?
@@SaxStation no sir just the recorder. I think my idea of the saxophone is instead of your finger doing the closing of the holes it's the plugs when you press the knobs right?
You can watch the keys in this video to have a better idea.
Tkq🙏
great superb....sooo usefull...tham
nks
Thanks for saying so Janaka, glad it helped
When you're playing the Bb major scale, what's the starting note when playing the Soprano?? Since Soprano is a Bb instrument and Alto is a Eb wouldn't it be different starting notes?? Alto main here looking to learn soprano as well
Concert Bb would be C on soprano, if that’s what you’re asking
@@SaxStation yes it was, thank you
I'm thinking of switching from flute to soprano sax but I've never switched before so I'm kinda hesitant
At minimum, you'll need to buy or get a soprano sax reed. It's a bit different than flute in terms of getting a tone. Will take work to sound good, like anything else.
So I play clarinet, and I am thinking of playing soprano sax for jazz. I currently use strength 3 reeds on my clarinet. Should I buy the same strength for soprano?
That would probably be a good starting point. Your mouthpieces for the two instruments might be a bit different. So if it feels a little off, you might want a different number reed. Could be right though.
@@SaxStation Okay, thanks!
Hi how to decide which Bb fingering to use in songs ?i am practicing on soprano sax .thanks
I think most sax players have a default Bb fingering they will use. Most likely will be the bis Bb or side Bb from what I have seen. Personally, my default is side Bb.
But there are places in music where another Bb makes more sense. So I'll use a different option if it makes sense in that situation.
@@SaxStation Thanks for your time 🙏
dear sax station, i played curved soprano sax or called baby sax, why sound of not different to list which you have given? is it because of my way to embouchure or model of mine?. really glad to hear your reply, thanks a lot
It should sound similar. How long have you been playing saxophone?
i just start to play about 1-2 weeks,then i used tuner apps to check every finger chart and every not of list is different, i used Zeff france baby saxo for now
Do you know about transposing? That the note listed on a tuner will be different than the note listed on a fingering chart? Different by a whole step.
How different is the embouchure on the soprano sax in comparison to the alto? I’m planning to try soprano sax out.
It’s a bit different. Once you try it you’ll know for yourself
When I play my A, it sounds like a G#. What's wrong? I just got a soprano. My high E also sounds like a high D...
Sounds like you're pretty flat. Try pushing in your mouthpiece a lot more than it is usually.
Same
@@SaxStationit’s not working 😢
I’ve found that soprano saxes are very fickle , you can adjust your embouchure and change notes by 1/2 tone, they take some playing they’re not robust like tenners they are very sensitive beasts I’ve had one for about 6 years and barely had the thing out of the box because it’s so unpredictable . It’s a bit like flying a helicopter it’s a very light touch . When I first started playing the flute I thought I’d never get the hang of putting the instrument up and hitting the note with consistency and quality but I guess if you keep,going it will all happen . Time to get the soprano out of the box and have another go Im thinking
These concert notes, right? Or are they in Bb?
In Bb.
When clarinet players change to sax, they always seem to start with alto, what if i want to start with soprano sax (i really like the way it looks and sounds)? is there a specific reason bc the straight soprano and clarinet seem very similar by the looks of it?
Not always, but maybe usually. I went from clarinet to tenor. It's going to be harder to play a soprano in tune compared to alto or tenor, but you could do that if you want.
Sax Station thanks!
Can you please help me im having a hard time playing C
What is the issue?
My Guy I’m thinking of getting a curved soprano sax. Does this apply as well
Yes
which numbers reed is best for soprano
At first you probably want to use a lower number, maybe a 2. It’s more about what’s comfortable for you at a given time and what you like can change.
My question is that can we play high note palm key d without pressing octeve key ?
You can.
Are you saying that you want to do that?
Or it happens when you don't mean it to happen?
Yeh I want to do that
Something it's very d is hard to play with octave key ,
You want to play a middle D by using the palm key without the octave key?
I have a question please .. how many kind are there of saxphone soprano ..
I will buy a one , so i need to know which kind is good to buy ?
There are many brands. Depends a bit on your budget and your experience playing saxophone.
Sax Station
I play clarinet , im begginer
But i like saxphone , thats why i want to buy a saxphone . But before i buy i wanted to know if there is only a type of saxphone with one tune or different types ?
Thanks for answering
The four main types of saxophone are alto, tenor, baritone, and soprano. Tenor and Soprano are in Bb, like clarinet. Alto and bari are in Eb.
You probably want to start on alto or tenor.
For soprano, there are curved sopranos and straight sopranos also.
Thank you so much 🏵🌸
simpy the best.
How can you blood air to play soprano saxophone
Not sure if I understand exactly what you’re asking. How to hold it? How the embouchure works?
what note should sound when i blow pressing no keys
so i get a 'b', is that the 'concert note' but we call it 'c#'
That's right. It's a concert B, C# on soprano sax.
Different by a whole step or major second.
With the Soprano how do we pew vent squeaking, because that’s my main concern. Also, hot do I read notes faster because sometimes I get lost because I can’t read the notes fast enough.
How long have you been playing?
And do you practice everyday?
Sax Station Thanks so much for the reply. I’ve been playing for only one year but this is my second year. And to be honest I only play at school during band which is like 45 minutes.
It will be hard to sound better if you don't practice on your own.
is the sax you're using the Bb sax?
or the C sax?
i got confused.
It's in Bb.
Anyone else noticed the third b flat finger variation dounded a little bit sharp.
Sometimes an alternate fingering is more useful for a fast passage where you need to move your fingers quickly. But not as useful if you need to sustain the note since it may not sound as good.
Can you start with sopranos sax??? I never played sax before
You could if you really want to.
It will probably be a little harder to play in tune, but to be honest, most saxophone players are fairly out of tune when they start.
This lesson is very helpful. Thank you ! Could you please show me how to put the neck properly on the curved soprano saxophone. Not sure if it should be straight or towards little bit to the left. Thank you 😊
I could probably do a video something like that. As long as it doesn't cause the octave mechanism to not work properly, I think either way would be all right.
I don't have a curved soprano. But I have alto/tenor.
I find alt C to have a better sound that regular C.
Interesting. Maybe use it for held notes then. Could be awkward to transition to and from though
Where can i download the Finger Chart for my seporno Saxphone
Saxstation.com/downloads
Downloads are password protected.
Yes, but you can get a password by entering your email.
Is a soprano one octave higher than the alto?
No, soprano is one octave higher than the tenor. It's a fifth higher than alto.
Sax Station oh ok, thank you
Yes, you're right. Thanks. I was thinking of the alto being a fourth higher than the tenor.
You can get a PDF of this fingering chart included with the beginning saxophone class I made, saxstation.com/saxophone-foundations-beginning-saxophone-class
Your website doesn’t work
It seemed fine when I checked just now. Maybe the issue was your connection
@@SaxStation It wouldn’t let me make an account, I would really like to take a look at your website because I am a beginner and would like some inspiration.
It's not set up for you to make an account. That doesn't mean you can't access the content on the site.
Just go to the site, you can use the menu and the search bar. What are you looking for?
I got a $300 horn that is a whole semitone flat at the middle C. It's really bad, like it sounds like a B. That's how bad it is
Can you push your mouthpiece farther on the cork?
Tenor Sax Fingering chart video: th-cam.com/video/WAENjRA6-OY/w-d-xo.html
Alto Sax fingering chart video: th-cam.com/video/ZUz_iuCSZRg/w-d-xo.html
Soprano sax fingering chart video: th-cam.com/video/wgWF_-gRM4s/w-d-xo.html