[Saxophone] Overcoming Cross-Fingering: From Concept to Practice, Alt…

SUMMARY

Key takeaways

In saxophone playing, cross-fingering is a problem that hinders smooth finger movement. By understanding common cross-fingerings such as B to C and F to F-sharp, and experiencing alternate fingerings firsthand, you can achieve smooth performance of chromatic passages and trills
Cross-fingering refers to fingerings that require crossing fingers over one another, making the fingering complex and causing poor connections in fast passages and chromatic scales
To resolve the B-to-C cross-fingering, press the TC key while holding down C, which produces the C note
To resolve the F-to-F-sharp cross-fingering, press the TF key with your ring finger while holding down F natural, allowing a smooth transition to F-sharp
As an alternate fingering for B-flat, press the TA key while holding down A, which produces the B-flat note

In saxophone playing, smooth fingering is an essential element for achieving expressive performance. However, there exists an undesirable type of fingering called cross-fingering, which hinders smooth finger movement. Cross-fingering refers to fingerings that require crossing fingers over one another, making the fingering complex and causing poor connections in fast passages and chromatic scales.

What Is Cross-Fingering: The Concept in Saxophone Playing

Cross-fingering refers to fingerings that require crossing fingers over one another, and it is a problem that hinders smooth finger movement in saxophone playing. Common examples include B to C and F to F-sharp. While these can be played using standard fingerings, the fingering becomes complex, causing poor connections in fast passages and chromatic scales. To mitigate these issues, it is important to use alternate fingerings.

Common Cross-Fingerings

1. B to C: When transitioning from B to C, you must cross your fingers over one another. 2. F to F-sharp: The right-hand fingering for F and F-sharp is considered problematic. 3. Others: When playing chromatic scales and trills, complex fingerings cause poor connections.

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Causes and Solutions

To resolve cross-fingering issues, it is important to understand and experience alternate fingerings. By learning the alternate fingerings for the common cross-fingerings of B to C, F to F-sharp, and B-flat, you can achieve smooth finger movement.

Problem 1: B-to-C Cross-Fingering

Solution: Alternate Fingering Using the TC Key

On the right hand of the saxophone, there are three keys in a row. By using the middle one, called the TC key, you can resolve the B-to-C cross-fingering. While holding down C, press the TC key to produce the C note. This method enables smooth B-to-C trills. By repeatedly pressing the TC key while holding B, you can perform B-to-C trills smoothly.

Problem 2: F-to-F-sharp Cross-Fingering

Solution: Alternate Fingering Using the TF Key

While holding down F natural, press the white key with your ring finger to produce F and F-sharp. This key is called the TF key. By using the TF key, key noise is also reduced, allowing for a smooth connection.

Problem 3: Alternate Fingering for B-flat

Solution: Alternate Fingering Using the TA Key

By pressing the TA key (the lowest of the three keys in a row) while holding down A, you can produce the B-flat (A-sharp) note. This fingering is particularly effective primarily in chromatic passages and fast passages that require smooth connections. By using the TA key, you can play smoothly with truly fluid finger movement.

Experiencing Alternate Fingerings: A Practical Approach

To experience alternate fingerings, it is important to first confirm the position of each key and actually produce sounds. Confirm the positions of the TC key, TF key, and TA key, and be conscious of your finger movements while actually producing sounds. In practice, it is essential to experience smooth fingering by using alternate fingerings while playing chromatic scales.

1. Confirm the position of the TC key: On the right hand of the saxophone, there are three keys in a row. Confirm the position of the middle one, the TC key, and while holding down C, press the TC key to verify that it produces the C note
2. Practice B-to-C trills: Experience how repeatedly pressing the TC key while holding B enables smooth B-to-C trills
3. Use the TF key: While holding down F natural, press the white key (TF key) with your ring finger to verify that it produces the F-sharp note
4. Use the TA key: Confirm the position of the TA key, the lowest of the three keys in a row, and while holding down A, press the TA key to verify that it produces the B-flat note
5. Practice chromatic scales: Experience smooth fingering by playing the transitions from B to C, F to F-sharp, and A to B-flat using alternate fingerings

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Caution

When practicing alternate fingerings, patience is key. It is important to first confirm the position of each key and be conscious of your finger movements while actually producing sounds.

Summary

In saxophone playing, cross-fingering is a problem that hinders smooth finger movement. By understanding common cross-fingerings such as B to C and F to F-sharp, and experiencing alternate fingerings like the TC key, TF key, and TA key, you can achieve smooth performance of chromatic passages and trills. To resolve the B-to-C cross-fingering, press the TC key while holding down C to produce the C note. To resolve the F-to-F-sharp cross-fingering, press the TF key with your ring finger while holding down F natural for a smooth transition to F-sharp. As an alternate fingering for B-flat, press the TA key while holding down A to produce the B-flat note.