I am a 38 year old aspiring Saxophonist (for hobby only) and have a couple of questions that I can`t seem to get answered. Any perspective would be greatly appreciated!

1. I sometimes use Jamey Aebersold`s CD`s and notice that the Minor Scales that he teaches look different than those described in other sites. For example, a C- with Aebersold would be played like a Bb Major scale (2 Flats - Bb, Eb) but starting on C of course. Am I missing something?

2. As I learn to improvise, I am blown away by the level of knowledge needed to do so. How in the world can anyone keep up with chord changes when a song is going at a 208 tempo with chord changes in almost every measure? How can anyone decipher a move from a F#7(#9) to a c#dim to a B7(#9) (for example) in this amount of time? Is there some sort of "trick" that I`m missing or am I just too "simple" to pull this off? Are others challenged by this?

Sometimes (after getting lost on the page) I simply use the key signature and improvise using that. If I happen to land on a note that doesn`t sound right, I just move up or down a half step. Is this an "accepted" strategy for someone who can`t seem to memorize 10+ scales/chords for each key?

Thanks again. I`m getting frustrated and will look forward to any assistance you can provide!

1. Maybe i didn`t understand your question, but a tenor sax is tuned in Bb. A C on your sax is a Bb `natura`.

2. Practice. Learn to know the chords. Then you know what notes to use in yor improvisation just by looking at the chord names. I am not a too experienced player myself, but experienced players I`ve contacted say that they too have problems with improvisations in certain keys, because there are so many chords to learn. I have problems with this myself, and when I`m unsure, I just use my ear, and if I land on a wrong tone I just correct it like you, one half step up or down until it sounds right.
A little tip, use bending techniques to mask wrong notes. That may get the improvisation to sound _really_ neat even if you are unsecore of the chords. (especially in blues and jazz)

Thanks Chris. I appreciate your input!

I actually play the alto but was more concerned with question #2 anyway...thanks again!

I think the reason that the scale of C has two flats is because it is a blues scale.

interesting thought Amy...but would it still be written as C-?

i can awnser #1 of these question the reason that he is doing a c in the Bb is its a 7th of the scale he is doing modes like c to c in the key of d that a dorian the 2nd mode of the scal i cant remember the name of the 7th though