Basic Fingering Chart for Saxophone

First Octave: A3 to C#5

This fingering chart includes the primary fingerings learned by all saxophonists.
These fingerings are the same on all sizes of saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor,
baritone, and bass) unless specified otherwise.

Note Written Fingering Description

Basic. Also press the low A key. For models
A 123|123C
with a thumb low A key.
A3
Basic. Also press the low A key. For models
123A|123C
with an RH 4 low A key.

A 3
123Bb|123C Basic.
B 3

B3
123B|123C Basic.
C4

B3 123|123C Basic.
C4

C4
123C#|123C Basic.
D4

D4 123|123 Basic.

D4
123|123Eb Basic.
E4

E4
123|12– Basic.
F4

E4 123|1–– Basic.
F4

F 4 123|–2– Basic.
G 4 123|1–F#– Chromatic, use in combination with F4 or F5.

G4 123|––– Basic.

G 4
123G#|––– Basic.
A 4

A4 12–|––– Basic.

12–|Bb––– Basic.

For ease of playing in passages without B

1Bb––|–––
A 4 natural.
B 4
1––|1–– Use in combination with F4 or F5.

1––|–2– Sharp, use in combination with F#4 or F#5.

B4
1––|––– Basic.
C5

–2–|––– Basic.
B4
C5
1––|C––– Chromatic.

C5
–––|––– Basic.
D5
Continue to Second Octave >>

Basic Fingering Chart for Saxophone

Second Octave: D5 to F6

This fingering chart includes the primary fingerings learned by all saxophonists.
These fingerings are the same on all sizes of saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor,
baritone, and bass) unless specified otherwise.
 << Back to First Octave
Note Written Fingering Description

D5 T 123|123 Basic.

D5
T 123|123Eb Basic.
E5

E5
T 123|12– Basic.
F5

E5 T 123|1–– Basic.
F5

T 123|–2– Basic.
F5
G5 Chromatic, use in combination with F4
T 123|1–F#–
or F5.

G5 T 123|––– Basic.

G5
T 123G#|––– Basic.
A5

A5 T 12–|––– Basic.

T 12–|Bb––– Basic.

For ease of playing in passages without

T 1Bb––|–––
A 5 B natural.
B 5
T 1––|1–– Use in combination with F4 or F5.

Sharp, use in combination with F#4 or

T 1––|–2–
F#5.

B5
T 1––|––– Basic.
C6

B 5 T –2–|––– Basic.
C6
Chromatic, use in combination with B4
T 1––|C–––
or B5.

C6
T –––|––– Basic.
D6

D6 T D–––|––– Basic.

D6
T Eb D–––|––– Basic.
E6

T Eb D–––|E––– Basic.
E6
F6 Less stable, use in combination with C6
T f–23|–––
and C#6.

T Eb D–F––|E––– Basic.
E6
F6 Less stable, use in combination with
T f–2–|–––
C6.
Continue to Lower Altissimo Register (Alternate Fingerings) >>

Alternate Fingering Chart for Saxophone

Lower Altissimo: F#6 to A6

This fingering chart includes both basic fingerings and alternatives that are more
appropriate in some passages. Some alternate fingerings are designed for fast
passages, while others modify the tone, color, or pitch at normal and extreme
dynamic levels. These fingerings are the same on all sizes of saxophone (soprano,
alto, tenor, baritone, and bass) unless specified otherwise.