Scale sheets

Alto Sax chromatic scale

The chromatic scale for alto sax, one octave up and back down, with the fingering under every note.
Scales
Range
Show

The diagram under each note is its fingering. Filled keys are pressed. The chromatic scale uses flats both going up and coming down.

Concert B♭ chromatic

Written G to G
Tap a note to hear it
44GA♭AB♭BCD♭DE♭EFG♭GG♭FE
Tap a note to hear it
E♭DD♭CBB♭AA♭G
About scale sheets

Reading the chromatic scale

The chromatic scale plays every half step, up and back down. This sheet spells it with flats both ways and has no key signature, so every accidental is written and lasts until the barline. Concert B♭ is the usual starting note; pick another above.

Concert pitch and your written key

Band directors name scales by concert pitch, so the whole band plays the same notes together. The alto sax is a transposing instrument: concert B♭ is written as G for you. Each scale is titled by its concert name, with your written key beside it.

Practicing scales

Use a metronome. Start slow enough to play every note clean and in tune, and speed up only once you can play the scale twice in a row without a mistake. Say or think the note names as you play, and learn the fingerings with them, so both are automatic by the time the scale is fast.

Practice them

Play each scale up and back down in the Woodwind Trainer: pick alto sax, then Scales. It checks every fingering, and you can play into your microphone.