Anyone made the transition from Alto to Tenor ??

I've been told by people who were alto players their whole lives that the tenor is much easier to play. It doesn't make sense, but I haven't tried it for myself. All I know is that at this stage, the tenor would be more versatile for what I want to do.

NeverTheMachine -

As someone who owns/plays 5 sax types (Soprano, Alto, C-Melody, Tenor and Baritone) - I can assure you that the transition - on a superficial level - is not at all difficult.

As long as the horn is well regulated - a bit of practice to get the "feel" of the instrument is all it takes.

The reason the Tenor might be considered "easier", may have to do with intonation issues. The nature of sound indicates that out-of-tune higher pitches are more noticable than lower pitches.

Another issue I've found from playing alot from swing band charts; You get used to certain key signatures in your chosen instrument (I play Bari in that setting). Moving to a differently keyed instrument (Eb to Bb) means you'll be playing in a predominately different key signatures.

This gets to another reason why some folks prefer Tenor (Bb instrument) to Alto (Eb instrument), as the Tenor is one whole step "off" from C-instruments. It is far more easier to calculate one step than the 2-1/2 steps change for Eb instruments.

So - if you're playing in a rock band setting - and the guitar/bass are jamming in E - on tenor you'd be in F# (kinda sucks - but ya get used to it!). While on Alto - you'd mentally have to subtract 2-1/2 steps ("...lets see - E down 1 is D, down another is C . . . 1/2 step - shazzam! B ... ! ..... opps - where were we?. . .").

Bottom line - if ya wanna play Tenor - just do it already.

Thanks Alan. For me, the point about on-the-fly transcribing is a big one. I have definitely had to do a lot of that on alto. I usually write and work things out on guitar as well. I'm mainly concerned about embouchure issues pertaining to the transition. No better way than actually trying I know, but I was just curious.

I play tenor and bari with no embouchure problems. Mind you, my first study is bassoon so everything's easier than that. If I go back to Alto, I have to practice a little while to be comfortable

it doesn't matter which is easier--Tenor is just the best

Don't sweat it, it should be no major problem for you, unless you are like a lady friend of mine, who's very petite, and honestly hasn't enough lung-power to fill the horn, but won't settle for anything but a tenor....

I've played all the horns for many years, but didn't have an alto for about 10, then got one just recently, and I think IT'S the easier horn to play! Sheesh, I can play it and hardly be breathing......

I've also heard of a nationally known player who changed his main axe from tenor to alto. When asked why the switch, he just said, "Cause it's easier".....

That said, I think as counter-intuitive as it seems, it's actually a bit trickier (if playing a few horns on a gig) to go from tenor to alto, than tenor to soprano, or even flute. Something, to me, like it being "close but not quite", whereas the soprano or flute are so different there's no overlapping of "fit".....