Alto saxophone is pitched in E-flat, while Tenor saxophone is pitched in B-flat.
Appearance:
- The alto saxophone is smaller than the tenor saxophone, about 20 inches long.
- It has a narrower bore and a smaller bell.
- The keys on the alto saxophone are also smaller and closer together.
Sound:
- The alto saxophone has a bright, piercing sound, while the tenor saxophone has a warmer, darker sound.
- The alto saxophone is often used in jazz and classical music, while the tenor saxophone is often used in jazz, blues, and rock music.
Range:
- The alto saxophone has a range from A2 to F#6.
- The tenor saxophone has a range from E2 to F#6.
Repertoire:
- There is a large amount of repertoire written for the alto saxophone, including concertos, sonatas, and jazz standards.
- The tenor saxophone has a large amount of repertoire written for it as well but the alto is used more often in contemporary classical music than the tenor.
Embouchure:
Because of the key difference between alto and tenor saxophones, emboucures are different.
- The tenor sax embouchure is more open, especially at the corners.
- With tenor saxophone, the reed lies flatter against the bottom lip.
- Alto saxophone embouchure has tighter corners compared to tenor saxophone, creating a higher air speed across the reed making the sound brighter.