Which is easier- tenor saxophone or alto saxophone?

I am a clarinet player but i have to play one of these for jazz band. WHICH ONE?????

I play both alto/tenor and clarinet. I started on clarinet then made the transition to alto after 13 years, I decided that alto was too high pitched in general for my ear and promptly made Tenor my main instrument and I've never looked back.

It also depends on your physical size, and age. Generally young people tend to start on the alto because it is physically much easier to handle. (Just a note on breath: I don't notice much of a difference between the alto and the tenor, just different sized mouthpieces, and there are a plethora of brands to suit your particular style/sound.)

If, like you and me, the potential sax player started on the clarinet, they'll be used to a B flat pitched instrument, and the alto is pitched in E flat so it takes some getting used to when reading music and playing with others, but not impossible, obviously!

Whatever instrument you go for, make sure you buy a decent one if you can afford it. I "got by" on a couple of student horns, but the minute I bought my Paris Selmer Mk6 (vintage pro horn) I improved in leaps and bounds. I'm not necessarily suggesting you buy a Mk6, but you can get some really good horns at a reasonable price...... Check out the Yamaha 82Z Custom (lovely horn) Keilworth are supposed to be pretty good, and Yanigasawa are excellent.

Whatever instrument you plump for, good luck with the Jazz Band..... wait a minute! ..... No..... Break a leg! but most of all ......have fun.

Hope that helps!

You're most welcome Emily... The best answer was a nice surprise....

Good luck!

Bluespeedbird Report It

tenor

I think that alto may be easier as it is higher than tenor sax. I have heard that it is easier to play alto sax.

I'd say alto. Tenor is bigger and takes more air. Also most bands start kids on alto then tenor later once they can play the alto.

If you are making the transition from clarinet, alto will be easier because you will have to push less air than a tenor. You can transition to tenor later if you need to.

I would say tenor is harder. And also, what a coincidence! I in a jazz band being force to paly a sax too! If I were I would go with the alto, not cause its easier, just because you'll probably have more fun with it.

The alto takes less air to play making it easier to play for beginner sax players. The tenor does take more air, but many people like the sound better and would prefer the tenor over the alto. It really is your preference. I'd try out both and see which you like playing better. Good luck.

I would encourage you to opt for the alto. The mouthpiece size and reed size will feel more natural to your already developed clarinet embouchure. This is not to say you should play saxophone with a clarinet embouchure, simply that the size of the mouthpiece and reed combination will be more similar and facilitate learning to tongue. I also believe you will get a better tone more quickly on alto. Finally the finger spread will be similar so the feel of the instrument will be more familiar.

Good luck.

I play the alto, but I've tried the tenor and I think the alto is much easier becasue the tenor is supposed to be low so it's harder to get the notes right. At least i couldn't get the notes low enough... just like the soprano.

tenor is definitely harder because, yes, you have to put more air through it. another thing is, I've noticed that beginner sax players, or just not very good tenor sax players can't hold a note steady and it goes everywhere. As in, sometimes it'll be sharp or sometimes flat and most of the time it'll just be some sort of vibrato thing thats unintentional...and it just sounds bad. alto, you don't need to use as much air, and its smaller...
dont forget, the smaller the instrument, the worse the intonation gets. (intonation-how well the instrument/notes play in tune) =)

-welcome
jess

Look, it doesn't make much difference. Tenor might need a little more air, but it doesn't take much adjusting once you know how to play one of them. I love playing in my school Jazz Band. I hope you hav fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Technically they're the same .....alto just takes less effort of the diaphram to push air.