[JeffT]

Hi,

Let me start by saying I know the context, surrounding notes, should dictate the best fingering.

That said when I don't know (like the first time I sight read a sheet) I tend to go for the side Bb.

Which is your default: bis key, side Bb or RH F/E key?

 

[Henry D]

For eigth notes and longer my default is the side Bb. For anything in faster runs it's the one plus one two (RH middle finger- trumpet background makes me very comfortable with the three central RH fingers; a tendency which persists twenty odd years after I stopped playing the trumpet regularly and which renders the chromatic F# almost unused as a side effect). The choice is reflex- no active thought process involved.

Bis only in specific instances- but always deliberate rather than instinctive go-to.

 

[Captain Beeflat]

I tend to default to Bis, using 1+1 if the following note is B.
I have tried to use the side key but it never feels natural...I wish it did, to give me more options.

 

[zorrosg]

I, on the other hand, use the side B flat key almost 100% of the time. I will use 1+1 only in specific instances where it is more efficient using that fingering, for example where Bb is a leading not into B.. I never use the Bis key, and was in fact blissfully unaware of that fingering till only recently. Tried it a few times, and it feels really strange and unnatural to me.

 

[rleitch]

I tend to default to Bis, using 1+1 if the following note is B.
I have tried to use the side key but it never feels natural...I wish it did, to give me more options.

Exactly the same for me.

 

[blue boy]

90% bis: it is the most stable, has the best timbre, and is the most in tune of the three
10% side: for fingering ease
0% 1+1: never need it as it is the worst sounding/tuning of the three, and bis and side cover everything I need (yes, my 1+1 is in proper adjustment)

 

[ikbtops]

94% bis. 5% side. 1% low Bb overtone.

 

[LiAm84]

99% bis Bb
1% side Bb
0% other fingering

 

[Pete Thomas]

I use whichever one is best at the time.

BTW there is a big discussion on this already:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?153482-Bb-fingering-discussion

 

[JeffT]

I use whichever one is best at the time.

BTW there is a big discussion on this already:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?153482-Bb-fingering-discussion

My bad

Thank you for the answers. I wonder if the sax played (alto,tenor etc) has an impact on favorite Bb fingerings? Since I switched to tenor I seem to orbitate more keys with Bb than when I played on alto. Am I imagining things?

 

[notes_norton]

I use the side care whenever I can because the tone is better. If the passage is too fast and awkward to do so, I'll use the 1+1 fingering.

Notes ♫

 

[Pete Thomas]

My bad

I seem to orbitate more keys with Bb than when I played on alto. Am I imagining things?

I don't what orbitrate means, great word though!

 

[ekdowlin]

I use the bis key exclusively, unless I'm trilling Bb to B, then side key.

 

[Grumps]

Oh good. We haven't had this fight in at least a few months. By what page will it erupt, I wonder...

 

[retread]

I too use mostly side Bb, 1+1 when it falls into place, and rarely the bis key. I'm sure this is because I started on clarinet and it was my primary instrument for years. I'm trying to use more bis, but old habits die hard.

How many of you who rarely use the bis started on clarinet?

 

[JeffT]

I don't what orbitrate means, great word though!

Doh I meant "gravitate". That will teach me to not write before I've had a coffee in the morning

 

[JeffT]

Oh good. We haven't had this fight in at least a few months. By what page will it erupt, I wonder...

Sorry it didn't dawn on me that primary == default when reading previous threads

Although English is not my language I should have gotten that!

 

[Grumps]

Oh no, I think it's a good topic. And quite frankly, I've been an offender in the past, taking offense unnecessarily over this sort of discussion. I've used the bis key nearly exlusively since I found out what it was for, many, many years ago. Others have made excellent arguments for learning all the various Bb fingerings and knowing when they should be used for better effect. But for me, my hand size and the type of music I play, the bis key suits me just fine. So that would be my default Bb fingering.

 

[JL]

Default Bb fingering for me is definitely bis key (not exclusively, just the main one). I won't say any more than that since the reasons why have been spelled out in several other threads.

 

[skeller047]

I learned the 1+1 fingering once about 40 years ago. Played a couple of Bb major arpeggios with it. It worked. Promptly forgot it and never use it.

If I had to put a percentage on it I would say this:

Bis Bb: 99%
Side Bb: 1%, only when playing in Gb major / Eb minor

Bis A#: 5%, usually in multi-key exercises
Side A#: 95%

Hope that clears it up.