How Many Ways Can You Play Middle and High Bb?
There are actually 4 different legitimate fingering positions for it.
Do you need to use them all in your playing?
Probably not, and for most of the time 2 will be enough for most playing situations. But they’re good to know for when you’re working on a pattern or trill off another note, if the Bb fingering you use is difficult or even impossible then it’s good to have a few other options that could make it easier for you to pull it off.
This lesson is taken from my new eBook course “How To Play The Saxophone – A Complete Beginner’s Guide” which cover the most important first lessons anyone starting to play must know but there are things there that intermediate players will learn from as well.
Also, if you’re interested in adding a few easy but classy and great well-known traditional and popular songs to your repertoire then you might want to check it out as well… play-along backing tracks, music and lesson go along with each of the 4 songs included. I’ve added, or will be adding examples of each song being played on alto or tenor or even both.
I downloaded the E-Book,”How to Play The Saxophone , but I’ve yet to see any of the videoes. My computer is working fine but none of the videoes play. The screen is there but it’s blank.
Weird…try going to this link right now and let me know what happens:
https://howtoplaysaxophone.org/4-ways-to-play-b-flat
Ther ehave been many downloads and this is the first time anyone has had this problem so I’m assuming it’s something on your end, regardless we’ll figure a way around it.
I have ordered your book: Killer Blues and Rockin’ Sax Solos but have not received it yet. How long does it take to be mailed Out???
It’s an instant download so you either missed the page or it didn’t show up for you for some reason.
I’ll email you with instructions.
I’ve started working with the index left on the two keys, but the question is, is there any rule of thumb for using the other fingerings other than the standard left B and right F keys?
No. That’s why I showed you all the possibilities. We will each have a favorite way to play the Bb and sometimes your normal way isn’t possible. For example, trilling a B with a Bb.
I have your E book it is great but i am not as good as good as i thought,but with your help i see better things to come thanks for your help redtail
Glad to hear it! Post any problems you might run into on our forum here.
Hi Johnny,,on your first basic blues exercise video,,which C and Bb fingering do you use or recommend when playing that part?? It`s hard to see which fingering you use,,your too smooth!! just starting out ,,i know,,,a rookie question,,THANKS any fingering help would be great.
Not really sure of which video or lick you’re referring to but I will guess I’m using the bis key fingering as I use that one the most.
Of the 4 fingering pointed out here I will most always use the A with the side key sometimes, and mostly use the bis key fingering. For most situations I find it the easiest because it’s using only one finger so is the quickest.
In your ebook, I started working on the Bb major scale a few days ago with the metronome and just learned today in the book that there is more than 1 way to play a Bb –I didn’t even know that when I uploaded “Killing Me Softly” to the blog; great practice nonetheless and these other ways of playing a Bb will definitely help me along the way; thanks 🙂
Ya, mentioned that to you in another post I think. While yo will not always use all those 4 fingerings all the time 2 or 3 are a must and as you develop your technique you will see which ones work better for certain scenarios.
Hi johnny just bought mack the knife can u explain on the end of sheet music 1&2 what the music is all about plz
what the music is all about?
I don’t understand the question.
Hi Johnny
i purchased how to play the blues with seven notes i still have not received the link to download the program help ??
Art thanks
Ok, will email you the link.
do you have any video on this site that would show and play out all the notes on the saxophone? if so can you tell me where i can find it?
yes, I posted the link on the forum last week (don’t have it handy at the moment)
It’s part of my eBook course “How To Play The Saxophone – A Complete Beginners Guide”