Alto Sax or Tenor Sax? Which One?

So many of you are debating which sax to get so here is a video to help with your decision-making process. For this, there is no wrong answer!!

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Digital content is here also:

Saxophone Sound Development Book
Alto and Tenor Altissimo Book
Diminished Scales Book
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SIRVALORSAX PLAYS:

[SkylersRants]

Embrace the power of "and." Get them both! :)

[hughjazzprod]

My head's been all over the place deciding which saxophone I wanna get. But this video has given me alot of insight on the differences. Definitely going for a tenor now.

[book]

I think I really need the tenor. That low tone just says "yes" to me.

[Njderig]

I saw a live performance of Careless whisper on YouTube and it was a tenor but it has a thin sound and can be mistaken for alto. On the flip side a phenomenal saxophonist Earl Bostic has a huge husky sound for an alto that I actually thought he was playing a tenor. (He uses a tenor reed on a Beecher diamond inlay alto mouthpiece with heavy growling which gives him that signature heavy tone). The saxophone has such a dynamic range of timbre it’s incredible.

[skullbonefortnitefilms]

Thanks for sharing your time and expertise. Your'e a very inspiring and beautiful sounding musician. I'm just starting to learn the sax at the age of 69yrs. You provide inspiration as to what can be achieved by dedication, commitment and hard work. Great listening to you. Dave from the UK.

[jazzcornertv]

I love them all. It just depends on who is playing. Bari, Tenor, Alto, Soprano. I have a Alto and Tenor and I just don't sound good on either.

[robfairbrother]

When I started sax almost 3 years ago I had no clue about them. Didn’t even know there were different kinds until I did research! That research said most beginners start with Alto so I went with that only to learn that it was the Tenor sound that I preferred. But I’m glad I started with the Alto. I just switched to Tenor and love it. However, if I didn’t start with Alto, I don’t think I would have tried it at any time. Alto definitely has its place and is the preferred sax for so many songs and song types. If I had it to do again, I’d do it the same way. I like a lot of music genre’s and playing both will make me far more versatile.

[Itz-All-Gud]

Got a bonus! I'm a beginner. I jumped all the way in and bought a YAS 62, so I'd never need to buy another horn unless I want to. A couple months went buy, and a lady I work with gave me her Tenor! She hadn't played in about 3 years, so she gifted it to me. It's an older Conn, but, it's a saxophone! Took it to repair man and I'm good to go!

[sam-jams]

This video has been immensely helpful! I've seen a few comparisons like this, but this is the first time I've found one in which the players actually compare the two by playing the same things, same fingering positions and all! Thanks heaps. I'll get both when I get my hands on more ched' :)

[jimbobavitch]

Hi, thanks for the vid and tips on choosing alto over tenor. For me it was the tenor.
Dig your style and knowledge. Kudos to you sir!

[jaxophone]

I like tenor, not too high, not too low

[shipsahoy]

I actually like them both.
It depends on what music I’m playing actually, as to which one to play, but the mouthpieces and reeds are also an issue for each horn, depending on genre/style. SirV summed it up nicely... Whatever motivates you...

[chriscj]

That tenor just hits different man. Probably going that direction

[RoguekCraftsman]

Great video. I have been researching saxophones for myself to learn. Having never played an instrument the pat answer given was "whichever one you like" or "whichever one you can afford". Today was the closest to buying one I have had but found a great little shop that said to watch some videos first. I have had people say start on alto and others a tenor. At 6'5 I found I like the feel of the tenor but was not sold yet. Your video helped me make the decision. On Monday I will go back and buy the tenor I liked the most.

[wyndhleodumegwu]

Mahn, yuh 'r' simply saxophonically the Best, with an upper case "b"!

YOUR Commitment, Patience, Devotion, selflessness and, yes, knowledge are second to none!

One does Not have enough Thanks, service or money to repay you!

Lohv!

[AlexRodriguez-nmdh]

As soon I got a tenor in my hands and started playing it, my alto started collecting dust.

[joeblankenship]

Alto for me. Still wanna get a tenor someday though.

[Captain-mzmg]

I have been playing the alto since I was in sixth grade. It was my first instrument and when I play in concerts I will probably play the alto. But now, being in 9th grade, and with Christmas around the corner, I think it’s time I get a tenor. I just like the way it sounds better, it’s going to be easier for me to use it due to it’s larger size, and I’ve already tried it. It feels far more natural for me. But the alto will still hold a special place in my heart as it was my first instrument and I wouldn’t be where I was today without it. I will still continue to play it, but it will probably take a backseat to the tenor.

[gsco]

You could have mentioned the theme from the Pink Panther movies as a well-known (at least to us oldies) tenor sax solo. I think that the alto is the best beginner sax, as it is a little easier to blow than the tenor. I switched to tenor about 25 years ago, but I own an alto which I play two or three times per month.

[timchesonis]

What a GREAT video. Thank you so much. So informative for the beginner. Thank you!