Your Saxophone Fingering Chart Is Wrong - Here's Why

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Grab the PDF and FREE Finger Workout Series here: www.saxschool.online/finger-workouts

[@kevinwayne8696]

This video is beyond helpful!

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@deanworsley5208]

This is brilliant, why has this never been made common knowledge until now 😃 I think I've been inadvertently holding the Bis key down all this time anyway and never noticed 😅 Thanks so much for this one

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks. Now you’ve got some other keys you can hold down too! Best wishes. Joel. 👍🏼

[@KaySax67]

I hadnt realised that by holding the Bb bis key it wouldn't affect the other notes - I always assumed I had to play a B with all the other notes. Great tip Joel!

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! It makes life much easier! Hope you’re well. Joel.

[@ryangatling2973]

Great tip. I just finished a show where I had to use all the Bb variants in one passage - Bb bis, side Bb and R1/L1. But for the R1/L1 I actually used all three fingers (R12 &3) since I had to quickly alternate between Bb, Eb and D

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! Yes, Bis Bb, side Bb and in very rare occasions ’long Bb’ can all be necessary in certain contexts and musical passages. Obviously it’s only the Bis fingering that is the one that can be kept in place during whilst play notes. Hope you’re well. Joel. 👍🏼

[@martindalmasi5340]

To make “Scrapple from the Apple “ easier I found a side high D (right hand top lever) on that opening phrase

[@unclebantzz6928]

Love you guys ❤

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks for watching! 👍🏼

[@BIGGBAY90]

That’s a neat lesson

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@BenG-vf7et]

Been playing for 35 years, and using these methods a long time. I rarely use the bis key though. It’s sloppy, when flopping between Bb and C. I prefer the side Bb or the right hand keys, especially if I’m making jumps between Bb and any right hand note, for example Bb to F. In mid-range runs I usually use the low C fingering for middle C. It has a fuller sound, especially on bari. And if it sounds windy, release the octave key. It’s especially useful for that mid range break, so you don’t have to change your embouchure for just one note. It’s much more rare, just because the situations don’t present themselves as much, but I’ll also use the high note fingerings (D and above) sans the octave key in the mid-range. Most often, it’s a C#/D trill. Do you have tips for the low Eb/C flop? Even with the rollers, it’s nearly impossible to do smoothly. It’s worse on bari than soprano, alto or tenor for obvious reasons.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks for your comments and great to hear you enjoyed the video! There isn't an alternative for Eb-low C but the magic is really in your finger position. If you're finding that movement tricky, take a look at your hand position to see if you can get that pinkie finger in a better position so you can use the rollers. Hope that helps.

[@davideiotti9725]

Amazing video thanks

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@EDKaufman-76-51]

I like to use F for Bb, but the bell key tips are great

[@JoelPurnell]

Hi Beth. Be careful with the ‘Long Bb’ fingering, it’s more of a flute fingering and is often quite flat on most saxophones. Using the F# key instead of the F can give slightly better intonation, but I’d advise sticking to the proper fingerings of Bb bis and side. Hope you’re well. Joel.

[@igoranilovich6472]

Thanks a lot! Didn't all this, except G#. BTW, seems like the picture for C# at 9:24 points on the incorrect button (it points at B, instead of C#), or I am wrong? Thank you again!

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks! No, it’s definitely correct, the outside bell key is Low C#. Hope you’re well. Joel. 👍🏼

[@БратяСтаевски]

It's not like that on all of the saxophones. On mine vintage one, the low C sharp isn't connected with the G sharp. Anyway, these are some important tips.

[@JoelPurnell]

Thanks. Yes, on some much older horns that is the case. However, did you know that it’s possible to have a small plate attached underneath the keys so the G# is triggered even on horns without this function. If you know a good instrument technician ask them about it, shouldn’t cost much and gives extra functionality that really helps in many situations. Best wishes. Joel.

[@БратяСтаевски]

@@JoelPurnell That`s right but... First, my buttons for the low notes are aranged differently - G# on the first row and C#, low B and low B flat on the second row, but that doesn`t matter. The fact is that I am from Bulgaria and I live in a small town without any sax technicians, so I would have to go to another place. Also I am a 15 year old boy, who just enjoys playing. But I would keep that in mind - it would be helpfull! Greetings from Bulgaria! Best wishes. Tsvetomir (the name may be difficult for you to pronounse - here it is "Цветомир")

[@JoelPurnell]

Fair enough! We work with the tools we have! Take care. Joel.

[@KnowaTall-d4q]

Flute doublers probably wouldn't keep the G# key down, as that key is not closed by the lower stack on the flute.

[@JoelPurnell]

Hi. I see what you’re saying, however, the saxophone is obviously a totally different instrument to flute and therefore requires a different technique whether you double or not. It’s generally not a good idea to compromise good technique on one instrument for a generic technique on all. Best wishes. Joel. 👍🏼

[@Maltloaflegrande]

Same goes for clarinet which I took up as a doubling instrument a few years after I started playing sax. I had to de-learn my G#/C# key technique and that transferred back to my sax playing automatically.

[@ajbnmd]

What sort of stand or support are you using to play without a neck strap?

[@JoelPurnell]

It’s something I built myself many years ago after a back injury with the help of a great instrument technician called Dave Walker. It’s one of a kind I’m afraid. 👍🏼