Saxophone Fingering Chart
Interactive fingering diagrams for every note on the saxophone. Pink keys = press. Open circles = leave open. All fingerings are shown in written pitch.
The same fingering applies to alto, tenor, soprano and baritone saxophone — only the sounding pitch differs due to transposition.
How to read this chart
Transposition Reference
| Saxophone | Key | Transposition | Written C sounds as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto | E♭ | −9 semitones | E♭ |
| Tenor | B♭ | −2 semitones | B♭ |
| Soprano | B♭ | −2 semitones | B♭ |
| Baritone | E♭ | −21 semitones | E♭ |
Alto Saxophone Fingering Chart — All Notes
Written pitch (Bb3 – F#6) · 33 notes · Standard fingerings
About the Saxophone Fingering System
The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1846 and uses a system of keys and pads to produce different pitches. All saxophones in the family (alto, tenor, soprano, baritone) share the same fingering system, making it easy to switch between instruments once you know the basics.
The standard range of the alto saxophone spans from written Bb3 to F#6 (or higher with altissimo technique). The notes in the lower register (Bb3 to C#4) require the use of pinky keys on either hand. Notes above D5 (written) require the octave key, pressed with the left thumb.
Altissimo register: Advanced players can extend the range above F#6 using special fingering combinations and embouchure control. These notes are not shown here as they require individual tuning and embouchure adjustments.
Practice tip: Learn the fingerings for the C major scale first (C–D–E–F–G–A–B), then add the chromatic notes one by one. Most jazz and pop melodies stay within the range of Bb3 to D6, so mastering this range covers the vast majority of repertoire.