Tenor saxophone fingering chart
Tenor saxophone written C5 uses the left middle finger and sounds B♭3, a major ninth below the notation. The finger chart uses written B♭ tenor notes throughout.
Fingering chart
On a B♭ tenor saxophone, written C5 uses the left middle finger and sounds B♭3, a major ninth below.
| Written note | Finger position |
|---|---|
| A♯3/B♭3 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, C, low B♭ |
| B3 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, C, B |
| C4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, C |
| C♯4/D♭4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, C, C♯ |
| D4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| D♯4/E♭4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, E♭ |
| E4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| F4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| F♯4/G♭4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 5 |
| G4 | Press: 1, 2, 3 |
| G♯4/A♭4 | Press: 1, 2, 3, G♯ |
| A4 | Press: 1, 2 |
| A♯4/B♭4 | Press: 1, bis B♭ |
| B4 | Press: 1 |
| C5 | Press: 2 |
| C♯5/D♭5 | All open |
| D5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8va |
| D♯5/E♭5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8va, E♭ |
| E5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8va |
| F5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8va |
| F♯5/G♭5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8va |
| G5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 8va |
| G♯5/A♭5 | Press: 1, 2, 3, 8va, G♯ |
| A5 | Press: 1, 2, 8va |
| A♯5/B♭5 | Press: 1, 8va, bis B♭ |
| B5 | Press: 1, 8va |
| C6 | Press: 2, 8va |
How to use it
- Check the selected instrument and fingering system; this page opens with the combination named in the title.
- Choose a staff note, list entry or keyboard key. Filled circles show covered holes or pressed keys.
- Use Hear the note to compare pitches; the microphone switches off before playback to avoid feedback.
- Enable the microphone, allow access and play a single note without accompaniment. Let the reading settle.
- Match the A reference to your lesson or ensemble, then use Print / PDF to save the selected chart.
Help and explanations
Basic tenor and alto saxophone fingerings are shared, which helps when changing instruments. The sounding pitch is different, however: tenor is not simply a whole tone below the written note in the same octave. Include the extra octave when comparing with a piano or microphone display.
Read the low-note keys and octave key separately
Written low B♭3 uses all six main finger keys, the C key and the low B♭ key. Press the little-finger keys fully without gripping the instrument. If that note jumps to a higher partial, first check the seals, air and embouchure rather than assuming another valve-like combination is required. For entries marked 8va, add the left-thumb octave key as shown.
The supplied chart reaches C6, with a lowest written note of B♭3. Palm-key D6–F6 are still missing; these are normal upper-register notes, not a set of altissimo substitutions. When checking a listed note against the tuner, choose B♭ + octave (+14) to see written tenor pitch. Plain B♭ (+2) changes the letter correctly but leaves the displayed octave too low for the part.
Tips
- Use low B♭ as a slow, supported exercise rather than forcing a loud attack.
- For C5 to D5, coordinate the main fingers with the octave key.
- Label practice notes as written or concert pitch when comparing them with a keyboard.
Frequently asked questions
Does tenor sax use different fingerings from alto?
The basic fingering patterns are the same. The same written note produces a different concert pitch on each instrument.
What is tenor sax C5 on a piano?
It is B♭3. Tenor sounds an octave and a whole tone below its written part.
Which tuner transposition matches tenor sax notation?
Choose B♭ + octave (+14). The plain B♭ setting alone does not match the written octave.
How do I finger the lowest B♭ in this chart?
Press main keys 1–6, C and low B♭. Check the highlighted little-finger keys carefully.
Does this chart include high palm-key notes?
Not yet: D6–F6 are outside the present table. C6 is currently the highest listed written note.