Bb tenor saxophone
C#4
| Acoustics of the saxophone |
Bb tenor saxophone |
C#4 |
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Fingering Acoustic schematic Non-specialist introduction
to acoustic impedance Notes are the written pitch. |
Globally, this impedance spectrum is much like that for C4.
One more hole has been opened, thus the fundamental frequency has risen 5.9%
(a semitone). The next three peaks have also risen by almost the same proportion
and support the 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics. Note, however, that above about
2 kHz (ie well above the cut-off
frequency for the clarinet), the curves for C4 and C#4 and other nearby
notes are all nearly the same: not frequency shifted. This is because at high
frequencies, the air in the fingerholes doesn't have much time to move far,
and the sound waves propagate down the bore, almost without 'noticing' the open
holes.
For general comments about the chalumeau register, see E3.
Sound spectrum
of a Bb saxophone
played using fingering for C#4.
For more explanation, see
Introduction to saxophone acoustics
You can hear C#4
played.
Alternative Fingering |
Bb saxophone |
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Fingering Acoustic schematic Non-specialist introduction
to acoustic impedance Notes are the written pitch. |
You can hear XX
played with alternative fingering.
|
Contact:
Joe Wolfe
/ J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au |
a key depressed
a key not depressed
a hole covered 
a hole uncovered
a
part of the mechanism that is not normally touched 
