Tenor Sax · treble clef
Tenor Sax Scales
All 12 major scales for tenor sax, one octave each, with the fingering for every note. Each scale is named by its concert key, with the written key you read beside it.
Concert C major written D major
Use the alternate F♯ key when moving quickly between F and F♯.
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert F major written G major
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert B♭ major written C major
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert E♭ major written F major
Side B♭ (shown) is the standard fingering; use it next to B natural and in chromatic passages. Use the bis key when there is no B natural nearby, and one-and-one when moving between F and B♭.
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert A♭ major written B♭ major
Side B♭ (shown) is the standard fingering; use it next to B natural and in chromatic passages. Use the bis key when there is no B natural nearby, and one-and-one when moving between F and B♭.
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert D♭ major written E♭ major
Side B♭ (shown) is the standard fingering; use it next to B natural and in chromatic passages. Use the bis key when there is no B natural nearby, and one-and-one when moving between F and B♭.
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
Concert G♭ major written A♭ major
Side B♭ (shown) is the standard fingering; use it next to B natural and in chromatic passages. Use the bis key when there is no B natural nearby, and one-and-one when moving between F and B♭.
Side C is easier when moving between B and C.
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Concert B major written D♭ major
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Only the octave key is pressed.
Concert E major written F♯ major
Use the alternate F♯ key when moving quickly between F and F♯.
Side B♭ (shown) is the standard fingering; use it next to B natural and in chromatic passages. Use the bis key when there is no B natural nearby, and one-and-one when moving between F and B♭.
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Concert A major written B major
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Concert D major written E major
Use the alternate F♯ key when moving quickly between F and F♯.
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Concert G major written A major
No keys pressed; this open note can sound thin, so keep steady air.
Same fingering as low D, plus the octave key.
About these scales
Band directors usually call scales by their concert name, so the whole band plays the same pitches. On tenor sax the note you read is different from the concert pitch, so each scale shows both.
For the full range and alternate fingerings, see the tenor sax fingering chart.