Low and High G# - Fingering and Exercises

Introducing G Sharps

Now we come to introducing G sharps. We know all about sharps: they raise notes by a semitone. We know all about G sharps because we've played them several times already.

Understanding G Sharps

• Low G
• High G

By adding this key here, with the little finger of the left hand, we turn the G into a G sharp. There's G, G, sharp a little bit higher. High G, high G.

The same applies to both octaves.

Exercises

Exercise One:
This is a finger strengthening exercise that goes backwards and forwards from A to G sharp. Make sure that these two fingers move together as one, as if they're welded together with an invisible metal rod.

Exercise Two:
Similar to Exercise One, but one octave higher. These exercises conclude with a long note just to reestablish your sound. Keep it in check, okay?

Exercise Three:
This exercise is similar, but we throw a G natural into the mix, which makes things a little bit harder.

Introduction to Minor Scales

Up till now, we've been playing major scales, which have been pretty happy in mood. Minor scales, on the other hand, have a sad feeling. Beautiful, but sad.

The Articulated G Sharp Mechanism

Now, there's a clever piece of kit on the saxophone that can make the scale very smooth. It's called the articulated G sharp mechanism, which allows us to preset the G sharp key as soon as we go onto the D. This enables a smooth transition at the top when we go from F to G sharp.

• If you just move from F to G sharp with the G sharp key down, we only need to move one finger because the G sharp key is already preset.
• Notice my little finger: as soon as I go into the D, I smack down the G sharp key.

This gives us a smooth A minor scale.

Harmonic Minor Scale

This is the harmonic form of the minor. There are several forms of the minor, but for the purposes of this course, we'll introduce the harmonic first because it's the same in both directions.

A Major Scale

Now, A major consists of three sharps in the key signature: F sharp, C sharp, and G sharp. This is, I think, the most common scale on the alto saxophone, and it's well worth practicing because it is the equivalent of C major on the piano, which is the natural scale with no sharps or flats.

You often find yourself playing in three sharps when you're playing in a band. Saxophone music often is in sharp-infested key signatures.

As soon as you go onto the D, put your G sharp key down in readiness, and that gives you a very smooth top end of the scale.

Arpeggios

The arpeggios are fairly straightforward in these two keys:

• A Minor Arpeggio: A, C, E, and top A. (Remember: Ace plus the top ? easy to remember!)
• A Major Arpeggio: You can hear the difference.

Remember: Minor has a sad feeling.