Alto Saxophone Fingering Chart - Introductory guide

An alto saxophone fingering chart is indispensable to learning to play the alto sax. The chart displays ways to finger the various notes by coloring in circles and ovals on a basic saxophone shaped chart. The circles and shapes refer to the buttons and keys on the front, sides and back of the saxophone.

Sometimes a certain note will be depicted in several different ways on your alto saxophone fingering chart. A good chart will tell you just when you will need each of the different fingerings. For instance, one fingering might work while playing a quick run, while another fingering would be more comfortable to play for a sustained note.

If you do a web search for an interactive alto saxophone fingering chart, you can find one that will illustrate any note you wish to play. The picture will change with the note that you choose so you can find the fingering for the note you need. When a note can be made by several alternate fingerings, they should be depicted as well as the standard fingering.

Sometimes a saxophone fingering chart shows the diagram of the fingering in a vertical form, similar to the way you would hold the alto saxophone. Other charts show the notes in a horizontal form. If you are just learning to play the alto sax, this might seem confusing, but you can soon learn to read either type with a little practice.

Any beginner music book for learning the alto saxophone should feature an alto saxophone fingering chart as an important resource. It should also show the fingering diagram under the notes in the practice music, too, especially when the note has just been taught. Fingering diagrams make learning any instrument easier, and are essential for learning an instrument like the alto sax because of the numerous buttons and keys.

Further Reading:

Alto Saxophones Section. Alto Saxophones Homepage.