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Step 1
Play a chromatic scale. This is the best way to tell the entire range of a saxophone. A chromatic scale plays all major notes, flats and sharps within a range. It is like playing all of the white and black keys on piano.
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Step 2
Begin with a low D, which is the lowest note on the chromatic scale. The lowest note that an alto sax can play is actually a B-flat.
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Step 3
Continue on with the scale playing an E-flat, an E, then an F-flat, followed by an F. Continue on in the scale with each note and sharp. Know that a sharp note is the same note as the higher note's flat. For example, a D-sharp is the same note as an E-flat.
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Step 4
Finish the scale with a high D. Follow the note progression down until you end the scale with the first note, low D.
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Step 5
Practice the scale forwards and backwards until it comes it easily. You should be able to play it smoothly with smooth transitions between the notes.
