Saxophone Lesson: Introducing Lower Notes

This lesson introduces some of the lower notes on the saxophone:

• Low E
• Low D
• Low C

Fingering the Low Notes

Low E and Low D

• Low E and Low D are fingered like the D's and E's already introduced.
• Where we use the octave key, the low E and low D are typically played without the octave key down there.
• This means the same fingering as before, but no thumb is used.

Low C

• The next note we introduce is the Low C.
• This is new because we have to employ the little finger of the right hand on the second key down, which takes a bit of a stretch.
• If you can make it pop, that means you're hitting the sweet spot.

When you play them together, they create a nice low note.

Differences from Clarinet

The saxophone differs from the clarinet in that low notes are harder to control.

• Clarinet: Low notes are fairly easy to produce.
• Saxophone: Requires careful air support and avoiding a tight embouchure.

If you tighten your embouchure, the note will leap up, resulting in a C and a D an octave higher than they should be, without even touching your thumb.

Key Point: Air is crucial. Use lots of air and aim to avoid a honky sound at the bottom.

• Always think of a warm sound akin to "Voo".
• Imagine you're playing a larger instrument, like a tenor saxophone, when you're down there. Remember, it's all about bags of air!

Exercises

Exercise 1

• Takes us down very gently, descending a scale, taking breaks, and then restarting.

Exercises 2 & 3

• Similar to Exercise 1, designed to help secure your bottom notes.

Exercise 4: Finger Strengthening

• Focuses on the right hand's little finger, which needs to do a bit of work.
• Secret: Keep your air supply as constant as possible while moving your fingers firmly. Make sure to push that little finger down hard.

Exercise 5: Brain Teaser

• Introduces another C major scale coming up.
• We've already done C major one octave, but here we'll do it for two octaves.
• Preparation: The descending version of the scale is easier to approach the low C from above.

Two Octave Scale

• The next exercise is the two-octave scale of C major, which takes a lot of air.
• Take a big breath and make sure you've got lots of air to start the low note.

Tip: Use the kind of air you would use to blow up a balloon.

Introducing Side C

• There's another fingering to show you: Side C.
• If you're playing a scale that goes up to C and no further, it's good to incorporate a side C, which is a B plus the middle key of the right hand. This key raises the B a semitone to become a C, similar to how the middle finger key raises the A to become a B flat.

When you play the two-octave scale, using side C gives you a nice smooth top, making it easier than a clunky transition.

Arpeggio Preparation

In cases like an arpeggio, use the standard middle finger C, as using the side C would be awkward.

Preparation:

• Similar to the scale preparation, we start and go down, and that's your two-octave arpeggio.