Is it hard to play alto sax?

Should I play Alto Sax or Tenor Sax?

• The insturment i am currently playing is the french horn, I used to play the trumpet, then i switched to the horn, but i've always wanted to play a sax. I've never played a ...show more

• Answer:

  Tenor Saxxx Too many people play alto sax, and tenor can play both low and high notes. Most of the instruments you've played so far are pretty high, so it'll be a nice change to play a deeper instrument. Just as you said, there are usually more alto sax than tenor sax players because an alto sax is cheaper to buy. Alto sax is harder to convert from concert pitch than tenor sax, which is in Bb. The music gets pretty crazy on alto sax in jazz band, but if you play advanced enough music they will for tenor sax too. In concert band, alto gets considerably more interesting parts but the embouchure is weird and (ironically) you have to try to sound like a french horn. Some senior tenor sax players in concert band get bored because their part is so easy, but what's important is the style and not just the notes, plus obviously you can play whatever you want at home. Since tenor sax doesn't usually get main melody, you can play Bb clarinet music at home since it's in the same pitch. Take a listen to each instrument first. Personally I prefer lower voices. My local library lets you access Naxos Music Library with my library card through electronic resources, but if yours doesn't you can go to naxosmusiclibrary.com and do the 15 minute preview to look up professional tenor saxophone and alto saxophone pieces. You don't have to give any personal info and you can do more previews on separate days. Here's a musician who plays both alto and tenor sax: http://www.raypizzi.com/page_5_ray_pizzi_mp3.htm Some of the clips have more than one instrument but hopefully you can tell them apart.