Online Bass Saxophone Tuner
B♭ bass saxophone sounds two octaves and a whole tone below written pitch. Written C4 sounds B♭1, at 58.27 Hz with A4 = 440 Hz. This page opens with that transposition to show your written note with the correct octave relationship.
Written notes and concert pitch
B♭ bass saxophone sounds two octaves and a whole tone lower: written C4 sounds B♭1, at 58.27 Hz with A4 = 440 Hz. The display shows written pitch. The table uses scientific pitch notation: C4 is middle C and A4 is the 440 Hz reference A. Frequencies describe the sound in equal temperament; changing the reference A scales all the frequency values.
| Written note | Concert pitch | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| C4 | B♭1 | 58.27 |
| D4 | C2 | 65.41 |
| B4 | A2 | 110.00 |
How to use it
- Warm up the bass saxophone and check reed and mouthpiece assembly according to the manufacturer.
- Enable the microphone and confirm B♭ sounding two octaves and a whole tone lower.
- Set the reference A and sustain a comfortable note without vibrato or an exaggerated attack.
- Check the measured octave and compare low and middle notes before reviewing tone production or adjusting the mouthpiece with guidance.
Help and explanations
A steady note and a quiet environment help the tuner read low pitches. The Hz value remains the actual sound; the displayed note follows the written part. Warm up before comparing results and select the reference pitch agreed by your ensemble.
Bass and tenor saxophone use different octaves
Tenor saxophone is also in B♭, but sounds one octave and a whole tone below written pitch. Bass saxophone adds another octave to that difference. A tenor setting may recognize the pitch class while displaying the wrong octave; select the dedicated two-octaves-and-tone option for bass saxophone. To check concert A2 at 110 Hz, play written B4.
When the tuner follows an overtone
A low fundamental may be less prominent at the microphone than one of its overtones. Wait for a stable note and check that the frequency matches the expected pitch. If the reading alternates between octaves, reduce noise and try another comfortable note; this does not automatically mean your instrument is out of tune.
Tips
- Play alone during measurement to separate your sax from the section.
- Avoid placing the microphone against the bell or in direct breath.
- Check tuning again after several minutes of playing.
Frequently asked questions
Is bass saxophone in B♭?
Yes, the bass saxophone covered here is in B♭ and sounds two octaves and a whole tone below written pitch. Baritone saxophone uses a different transposition.
What frequency is written C4 on bass sax?
Its actual sound is B♭1, about 58.27 Hz with A4 = 440 Hz. The selected transposition makes the note display show written C4.
Can I tune bass sax with the tenor setting?
Pitch classes may match, but the displayed octave will differ. Choose B♭ sounding two octaves and a whole tone lower for bass saxophone.
Why are low notes harder to measure?
Noise and overtones can dominate the fundamental. Play steadily, let the attack settle and confirm the octave and other notes before changing any setup.