Tenor Saxophone · Major scale · written pitch
A♭ Major scale for Tenor Saxophone
1 octave from A♭4, key signature 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). On the tenor saxophone this sounds in concert G♭ major.
Scale — ascending & descending
Arpeggio
Download: MIDI · MusicXML (opens in MuseScore, Sibelius, Dorico, Finale) ·
Fingerings for every note
Notes of the scale
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | A♭ | B♭ | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G | A♭ |
| Concert | F♯ | A♭ | B♭ | B | C♯ | E♭ | F | F♯ |
Practice tips
- With 4 flats, work out the chromatic fingerings first (sliver keys, side keys, alternate pinky keys) and practise the awkward pairs slowly in isolation.
- Practise with a metronome: legato first, then tongued; then in thirds and in rhythms (long–short, short–long).
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A♭ Major scale on tenor saxophone?
A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭.
What is the key signature of A♭ Major?
A♭ major has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
What concert key is written A♭ Major on the tenor saxophone?
Written A♭ major on the tenor saxophone sounds in concert G♭ major.