After playing sax for 50 years, I can say that studying the Eb Alto is the key to total saxophone understanding. From the alto, you can then proceed to the Bb tenor, Eb baritone sax, and the Bb soprano.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

I agree that it’s easier to understand tge saxophone when starting on alto, but you can also start on tenor with the same results. I’ve known several people who’ve done that. Thanks for your insight!

@johndeer4250

4 ай бұрын

thanks for all the input . btw a local teacher told me to put a tenor reed on the alto and try it and I got to tell you guys I haven’t looked back and now tenor and alto are just as easy oh tho tenor has to blow like the Wolf😂😂😂

Tenor has a certain edge to it. I play both but tenor is my favorite

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Yea you’re right it does have an edge to it. All things being equal the alto sounds smoother and tenor “dirtier”

I prefer the alto saxophone for several reasons. One reason being that I've always considered the saxophone to be a small instrument, and the tenor saxophone is a medium instrument. I mostly think of the saxophone as being slightly larger than the trumpet. And the tenor saxophone is quite a bit larger than the trumpet. I prefer the lower notes on the alto saxophone over the higher notes. Also the kind of music I listen to is more suited for the tenor saxophone, but despite that I still prefer the alto saxophone.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a great observation. I think both are great, but for different styles of music. For me I guess it depends on what style is being played.

Great demonstrations of each!

@dustinhellen

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! Which was your favorite and why?

Awesome Video. really enjoyed the playing part. it was super helpful showing different styles 🔥🙌 had 10:05 on repeat for a bit 😁

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

This helped me a lot choose between alto and tenor, thanks. Great video

@dustinhellen

10 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Really happy this helped you!

Nice video. Wish I saw this before I purchased my sax. I recently purchased an alto sax for a lot of reasons you gave, but my primary reason was that it is smaller than a tenor which makes it more portable and easier to manage, esp if you have to travel. Also it was on sale, so I decided it was the perfect time to get it. Love the sound of the tenor so I may purchase one in the future.

@dustinhellen

5 ай бұрын

It's always nice to get a saxophone when it's on sale, so no problem there. Let me know when you get a tenor!

I’ve played alto in middle school band and now first tenor for my jazz band. I really love the sound of tenor in jazz and it’s been amazing doing many solos with it. For classical and upright music I usually play with alto because it sounds more fit into that category. All in all, they’re both so good and I love improvising with both so thanks for the vid!

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes the tenor fits very well in a jazz setting. Alto fits very well in classical like you said too. Good points!

This is quite helpful and informative. This is by far the best comparison video I've watched. Definitely going for tenor saxophone because of the rich sound 7:50 8:50 and its great as solo 8:11

@dustinhellen

5 ай бұрын

Wow thank you for the compliment! Let me know what kind of tenor you end up getting! Do an unboxing if you can!

Que bueno ha sido este video, muchas gracias! Genio!

@dustinhellen

7 ай бұрын

Gracias!

today is the 32nd day Yesterday I put a tenor reed on the alto and it sounds amazing I definitely like better the alto for learning and then give the tenor what I learn in the alto and is always more beautiful but when I go back to the alto That’s when is like going in 5gear and it gets exiting that each sax helps the other one in agility and sound and is amazing how much one day of practice can do on the sax! thanks for the welcome!

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

This is interesting! I have thought about the fact that one saxophone helps development with another saxophone. The mouthpieces are all different sizes and you need a different embouchure for each one. Good comment!

ok so i am in grade 6 and currently play the bass clarinet. in a month from now some of the band get specialty instruments which are alto, tenor, baritone saxophones, oboes and french horns, i definitely know i want to play a saxophone. but what would be a good sax to switch to from bass clarinet?

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! Great to hear that you’re wanting to switch to saxophone! Coming from bass clarinet, I would recommend the tenor saxophone. It has a mouthpiece that is similar in size to the bass clarinet, and is roughly equal in size. Also, both the bass clarinet and tenor sax are pitched in Bb, which means you can play the same exact music on both instruments. If you have music for bass clarinet, you could play that same music on tenor and it would sound the same. I think it would be an easier transition for you. Let me know if you get a tenor!😃

Thank you for this video. Question about your mic placement. That mic looks like the Rode NT1. If so, it’s a side address mic, but it looks like the end of the mic is pointed at the bell. Do you find that the sound is better in this position? Thanks!

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Honestly i'm just experimenting with mic placement. I wasn't even aware that it was a side address mic. Thanks for pointing tthat out!

@LetsGoHelio

Жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen I only asked because it still sounds great. I’ve seen others do the same. Thanks for the video and response!

I like both. Cool video bro.

@dustinhellen

10 ай бұрын

Thank you! Let me know when you get one of each!

What mouthpiece and reed are you using in these instruments? Thank you for the video :-))

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

For alto I use a Claude Lakey 7*3 with a Vandoren V16 2.5 reed, and on tenor I use a Jody Jazz DV 7* with a Vandoren V16 3.5 reed

i’ve been playing flute for 3 ish years now in band and since im in jazz band now my band teacher wants me to switch to tenor saxophone. do you have any tips for getting started on the instrument?

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Going from the flute to the tenor is a big jump. I would say to make sure your embouchure is right: teeth on top of the mouthpiece, bottom lip tucked in creating a cushion for the reed, and most importantly, don’t change your mouth position for any note on the horn. Rock solid. Play a G, remember how that feels in your mouth, then that mouth position should remain the same for every note

@ammunition2495

2 жыл бұрын

don't bite too hard!

so i’ve started to play the alto after switching from bass clarinet, i’ve really enjoyed it. i find that i preferred playing the bass line. but after switching to alto it’s super fun to play solos and stuff. if i were to compare my 2 instrument experiences it would go like this: sound: alto parts in music: b. clarinet tone: b. clarinet high notes: alto low notes: b. clarinet i’ve decided i’m more of a bass line person so i would like to switch to a bari sax. for anyone wondering, alto plays melodies and solos, bari does bass line but can do solos, and tenor can do both.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Good points! Just a word of warning…bari can be addicting, especially if you play funk bass lines and involve that meaty low A!

@Man-jz5gt

2 жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen lol

Life is short. Coming from clarinet, I found both YAS/YTS-32 (used). A good reed on either tips the balance, but a good reed on tenor is memorable. The alto easier on your neck. If you have space and means, you want them both.

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Yes for sure! When you get more serious with the saxophone you eventually get one of each, and if that keeps going, you expand to soprano and/or bari!

@paulready8897

5 ай бұрын

@@dustinhellenI love the sound of the bari. Seen some ladies in bands play a bari and I’m amazed at their skill level. They make playing one look so easy and fun, but the instrument looks like a beast to me.

@dustinhellen

5 ай бұрын

Yea I don't blame you. Bari played by a woman is like a curved soprano on a big guy@@paulready8897

thank you

@dustinhellen

5 ай бұрын

You're welcome. I'm glad you got something out of this video!

hello teacher I want to buy a tenor saxophone. what can you advise.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Hello! It’s great that you want a tenor! Have you played the saxophone before or are you a complete beginner?

C melody also has a curved neck fyi, its simply smaller or inbetween the alto and tenor. Tenor takes getting used to, but I prefer it as far as range. The low Bb is incredibly resonate.

@dustinhellen

2 ай бұрын

Yes im aware of the C melody. This horn is hardly ever seen or used so I didn’t mention it in the video. Thanks for the comment!

Hi good day, I really enjoyed the lessons 😊, the reason why I came to your channel is because am about to get a sax and am having two mind , either the Alto or the tenor , but now I think I will go for the Alto , but am still gathering the money for the sax 😞, if anyone can help me get it , I will really appreciate Meanwhile Thanks for the lessons, I really appreciate 😊

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Let me know when you get an alto!

@Iam_dikavee

Жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen I just got an tenor sax sir

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

@@Iam_dikavee That's awesome! What did you get?

@Iam_dikavee

Жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen Tenor sax sir

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

@@Iam_dikavee I know that but what brand/model?

It's easier to go from Bb Clarinet to Eb alto, then it is to go from Eb alto to Bb clarinet.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with that. The clarinet embouchure is more focused and “tighter,” a good precursor to the alto.

I started off on alto sax, and have played alto, tenor and bari regularly, I personally prefer tenor and bari due to the rich deep sound of them, but alto is so much easier to transport

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! Do you have your own bari?

@thekathrynwest

4 ай бұрын

@@dustinhellen I wish! They're crazy expensive to buy, but its one of my goals in life to be able to afford to buy one, at least a good one. I'm sure I can find a cheap used one, but I want something that'll last

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

Yea I hear ya on the price! If I was going to buy a bari i'd get the best one I could get, and if that meant I would need to save a couple more years that's what I would do. I would only buy a good bari once. I hate that there is such a huge increase in price from a good tenor to a good bari! But if you look at it from a vioinist's perspective or a flute player's perspective, their top-of-the-line instruments are well over $10,000, and even in the six-figure mark, so I guess it is all relative.@@thekathrynwest

I prefer the tenor sax especialy when playing Altissimo

@dustinhellen

8 ай бұрын

Yea I agree that altissimo sounds better with tenor! What do you have for a tenor?

👍

I LIKE the Alto

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Me too! What do you like best about it?

I think you should mention that they are transposing instruments. Playing a g fingerings on alto doesn't play a concert g it plays a concert b flat because the alto is in the key of e flat. Tenor sax to play a concert B flat you would finger a c because it is in b flat. Although the fingerings are the same the note played with that fingerings is not... Just a thought.

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Good point. The alto is in Eb and to play a concert Bb it would be a G on alto but a C on tenor. However, I mention that the fingering is the same on all saxophones. If you want to play a G on any saxophone, you put down 3 fingers. A 'G' note, transposing aside, is always 3 fingers regardless what saxophone you're playing. If you are transposing, you would play a different note, but it would still be the same fingering if you play the same note on all saxophones, that was my point. Thanks for the comment.

I would recommend the alto bcuz its easier to start on. My friend started on a tenor and it was a lot harder but If you can get good on an alto and even a baritone sax will be easy to learn

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve known a few who have started on tenor too but it required more air and was heavier so it was difficult at first. They loved the low Bb on tenor though!

If the neck is curved, it could also be a C melody saxophone.

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

This is very true! C melody tenors are convenient because they are non-transposing instruments, a benefit for sure!

A right angle is 90 degrees. the alto neck angle is more like 110 degrees.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Yea i realize that. In the video I mention it’s not a perfect right angle but kinda looks like it.

I have a problem. My classmates gave me an alto sax for my 18th birthday, and I practice with it. However, I feel like the alto doesn't inspire me. So I would like to buy a tenor sax (at least not to replace the alto). But my mother won't let me spend the money I have on a tenor sax. What can I do in this case? Because this thing is making me lose hope

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Overlight, I'm sorry to hear that you're losing hope because you don't find the alto inspiring enough. What I would do first is find a few alto sax players that have a sound you really like, and find their songs and maybe a backing track or two so you can play their songs with the recording. If you need recommendations on who to listen to, I'd be glad to help you out there. Otherwise, if the alto still isn't doing it for you, I'd say figure out why your mom is not allowing you to spend your money on a tenor. Is it because you already have a saxophone and she doesn't feel a 2nd saxophone is needed, or is it something else? There are ways you can try to convince her so she will lean to your side. Find out what the reason is. Hope this helps!

@overlightth

2 жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen Thanks for the help. I managed to convince my mom and maybe she'll get me a tenor sax for Christmas

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

@@overlightth Fantastic! Keep me posted if that happens!

@overlightth

2 жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen I will 😄

@overlightth

2 жыл бұрын

@@hampter2407 Hey, nice! 😄

Watch George Thorogood, Bad To The Bone. The correct way to play is to hold an Alto Sax in your right hand and a Tenor Sax in your left hand.

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

Yea this would get a lot of attention for sure! I have tried playing both at the same time but not for others!😂

@TobaccoRowe1960

4 ай бұрын

: )@@dustinhellen

@TobaccoRowe1960

4 ай бұрын

: )@@dustinhellen

@TobaccoRowe1960

4 ай бұрын

Bad to The Bone, is my favorite Sax Song..@@dustinhellen

I picked the alto saxophone 🎷😎

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Exciting…..what brand?

@user-wx7dd9gc6j

5 ай бұрын

Mark VI ​@@dustinhellen

It's always more beneficial to start on the alto saxophone and then go to tenor later on then the other way around.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Not necessarily. Everyone is different. Tenor is good for some people to start on. Everyone’s embouchure is different and a tenor could be better for some people to start on instead of the alto. Depends on the individual person.

@soap4797

2 жыл бұрын

I started on tenor and had never played a wind instrument before

@sleepdoctor09

Жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellenhow is that? I’m starting out and I have a hard time holding embochure in place on the alto but very easy on the tenor. Both yamaha 4c mouthpieces on yamaha student saces.

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

@@sleepdoctor09 Yes, exactly my point earlier...it depends on the individual. It's great that you have an easier time on tenor than alto, that's different from the majority on saxophone, and that's great!

Like for you.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

ok so a tenor can produce alto sounds but the alto cannot go as deep but they both are leaders in their ground i guess ill go with the tenor for now because is easier and still sounds amazing

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Ah very good choice. Which tenor are you getting? The tenor and alto are both equally as popular, but the alto is what most people start on. It really depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. To be honest with you, eventually when you keep at it, you will most likely own one of each! Sometimes you want a husky, low, deep tone the tenor can provide, while other times you want the clarity and high register the alto can provide.

@johndeer4250

Жыл бұрын

i got a tenor first 30 days ago 15 days ago got an alto and few days later a C melody but I love all 3 today Im 30 days of hard practice and it’s paying off but I got to say the alto is the easiest so far

@johndeer4250

Жыл бұрын

I started with benjamin adams but planing to get a nice professional one because this is the first time people actually complemented me on playing anything and I done guitar for 5 years violin for 4 months clarinet for a fe days and now I sleep work and live by my sax

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

@@johndeer4250 That's awesome! Welcome to the saxophone world. What's next? A Bari? A soprano? Keep us updated!

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

@@johndeer4250 That's really great. I hope you continue to be passionate about the sax.

Alto has a slightly tighter embouchure then the tenor.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

That is very true. Do you prefer alto or tenor?

@grantkoeller8911

2 жыл бұрын

@@dustinhellen I prefer Alto for classical, and Tenor for jazz, however both will work for everything.

But I heard soprano sax is the best, because they have a whole series about it on HBO. Also, bigger = better, so alto is the worst of the three.

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

Interesting. I’m not sure i follow your logic there but I do love soprano, so I guess that makes sense

For a true comparison between alto and tenor, use a Meyer hard rubber mouthpiece for alto, and a hard rubber Meyer for tenor.

@dustinhellen

4 ай бұрын

Good idea, if I had one for both I would do that

Buenas tardes prefiero tenor sax

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Muy bien! Porque?

@josecervando786

10 ай бұрын

El sonido me encanta

TENOR !

@dustinhellen

6 ай бұрын

That's cool! What do you like more about the tenor?

Ex brass section player. Baritone!

@dustinhellen

11 ай бұрын

Say whaaaat?

@1.nf674

11 ай бұрын

@@dustinhellen B A R I T O N E. King of the sound pyramid. hahaha

The alto is more lively, the tenor more deep, rich. I prefer alto, which I have.

@dustinhellen

5 ай бұрын

I agree with what you are saying about the sound. What kind of alto do you have?

@crazywiener11

5 ай бұрын

@@dustinhellen Yamaha Yas 23

The tenor in my opinion sounds way cooler than alto.

@dustinhellen

10 ай бұрын

Interesting! So you play tenor?

@goodboyringo9716

10 ай бұрын

@@dustinhellen ... No , I don't play any sax , only guitar. To my ear the tenor is a beautiful sound. The alto is a little high pitch for me.

The tenor sound better. The alto sound screamy.

@dustinhellen

2 жыл бұрын

Tenor definitely has a deeper sound, better for certain genres of music. When you have a minute you should check out my comparison video between two tenors (Mark VI and Yamaha).

Tenor definitely sounds better the alto is kind of squeakier

@dustinhellen

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. The alto is definitely higher and has a thinner sound compared to the tenor. You probably prefer the deep husky sound of the tenor

Buenas me gusta más el tenor🎷

@dustinhellen

9 ай бұрын

Por'que?