Can anyone help me? I recently recieved an alto sax and boughta beginners book and D.V.D. However, when I tried to follow some of the lessons, I was playing completely different notes? What key should an alto be in anyway? And what key do most books cater for? I read on the net that alto`s may come in Bb, Eb and even F and C so I have no idea how to be sure which one mine is.
Please help.
Thanks,
Terry.

Terry,

If you have an alto it`s in Eb.

Sopranos are Bb
Alto Eb
Tenor Bb
Bari Eb

you can get a vintage soprano and tenor in C

If you buy a book that says for Alto sax, it`s in Eb, Tenor Bb, even clarinet is Bb, etc.
But if you buy a generic book, like a piano/guitar/vocal book then it is in C.

If that`s the case - the book in C - (which is what i buy most often) it is easier to play that stuff on a Bb horn by adding 2 sharps and taking the note up one step. Otherwise, on alto, it`s easier to play the bass clef by adding 3 sharps and pretending it`s a treble clef .. the other options may be too difficult for most ppl.

Hope that helps
Steve

Thanks for the advice, It has re-assured me a lot.


Cheers,

Terry