How to Play a C Note on the Alto Saxophone

No saxophonist is complete without the ability to play the three C's.

A skilled alto saxophonist needs to have full command over all of the notes available. The C note is a good place to start. In fact, there are three basic C notes available to the alto saxophone, in the low, middle and high registers.

Instructions

1. Decide which C note you want to play. Depending on the musical context, you might want to play a low, middle or high C.

2. Press all three spatula keys with your left hand, all three spatula keys with your right hand and press the C key to play a low C.

3. Press the second spatula key with with your left hand to play a middle C.

4. Press the octave key and the first and third spatula keys with your left hand to play a high C.

References

• Woodwind.org: Basic Saxophone Fingerings (Lower Octave); 2005
• Woodwind.org: Basic Saxophone Fingerings (Upper Octave); 2005
• Saxophone-Players.com: Saxophone Lessons; 2009