As a saxophonist, mastering scales is crucial for developing your skills and musicality. In this guide, we'll dive into various alto saxophone scales that you can incorporate into your practice routine, providing you with step-by-step instructions to build each scale using scale degrees.

Understanding Scales:

Scales are sequences of musical notes arranged in ascending or descending order. Each scale has a unique pattern of intervals and scale degrees, which are the distances between consecutive notes. By understanding the intervals, you can easily build and play different scales on your alto saxophone.

Major Scale:

Let's start with the foundational major scale. The major scale is a sequence of eight notes, each assigned a scale degree, with a specific pattern of tones and semitones.

To build a major scale, use this interval pattern: Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone-Tone-Tone-Semitone

To build the C major scale, follow this pattern of intervals:

1. C to D (Tone)
2. D to E (Tone)
3. E to F (Semitone)
4. F to G (Tone)
5. G to A (Tone)
6. A to B (Tone)
7. B to C (Semitone)

The notes in the C Major Scale are: C D E F G A B C

Here is the C Major Scale in Scale Degrees:

1. C is scale degree 1
2. D is scale degree 2
3. E is scale degree 3
4. F is scale degree 4
5. G is scale degree 5
6. A is scale degree 6
7. B is scale degree 7
8. C is scale degree 8

For the rest of the scales, we’ll be using scale degrees to build each one.

Minor Scale:

Next, let's explore the melancholic beauty of the minor scale. Similar to the major scale, the minor scale consists of eight notes with a unique pattern of intervals.

Natural Minor Scale:

To build a natural minor scale, add a flat to scale degrees 3, 6 and 7 on the major scale. To flat a note, add a ♭ beside the note. For example: A♭

Natural Minor Scale Degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 8

Here’s how to build a C natural minor scale:

1. C Major Scale: C D E F G A B C
2. C Natural Minor Scale: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

Harmonic Minor Scale:

To build a harmonic minor scale, add a flat to scale degrees 3 and 6 on the major scale.

Here’s how to build a C harmonic minor scale:

1. C Major Scale: C D E F G A B C
2. C Harmonic Minor Scale: C D Eb F G Ab B C

Blues Scale:

Finally, let's add some soulful flavor with the blues scale. The blues scale is a staple in jazz and blues music, featuring distinct intervals that create its signature sound.

To build a C blues scale, add a flat to scale degrees 3, 7 and sharp degree 4.

Blues Scale Degrees: 1 ♭3 4 #4 5 ♭7 8

For example:

1. C Major Scale: C D E F G A B C
2. C Blues Scale: C Eb F F# G Bb C

Conclusion

Mastering alto saxophone scales is essential for every saxophonist. By understanding the intervals and patterns of each scale, you'll not only improve your technical proficiency but also enhance your musical expression.