Acoustics of the saxophone

Bb tenor saxophone

D6

Music Acoustics UNSW

Conventional Fingering

Impedance

Fingering
a key depressed
a key not depressed
a hole covered
a hole uncovered
a part of the mechanism that is not normally touched
Details in fingering legend.

Acoustic schematic
a closed tone hole
an open tone hole

Non-specialist introduction to acoustic impedance
Non-specialist introduction to saxophone acoustics

Notes are the written pitch.
Frequencies are the sounding frequency, for Bb saxophone.
Unless otherwise stated, the impedance spectrum is for a Bb saxophone.


Impedance spectrum of a Bb saxophone measured using fingering for D6.

This is the second note in the altissimo register. For a discussion of this register, see the explanation for C#6.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a Bb saxophone played using fingering for D6.
For more explanation, see Introduction to saxophone acoustics

Sound Clip

You can hear D6 played.

Alternative Fingering

Bb saxophone

Impedance

Fingering
a key depressed
a key not depressed
a hole covered
a hole uncovered
a part of the mechanism that is not normally touched
Details in fingering legend.

Acoustic schematic
a closed tone hole
an open tone hole

Non-specialist introduction to acoustic impedance
Non-specialist introduction to saxophone acoustics

Notes are the written pitch.
Frequencies are the sounding frequency, for Bb saxophone.
Unless otherwise stated, the impedance spectrum is for a Bb saxophone.


Impedance spectrum of a Bb saxophone measured using alternative fingering for XX.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a Bb saxophone played using alternative fingering for XX.
For more explanation, see Introduction to saxophone acoustics

Sound Clip

You can hear XX played with alternative fingering.
Fingering legend
How were these results obtained?

Contact: Joe Wolfe / J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au
phone 61-2-9385-4954 (UT +10, +11 Oct-Mar)
© 1997-2007 Music Acoustics UNSW