Beginner at alto sax, need some information (C Natural)?

Question:I have been playing guitar for three years now, and I decided to learn a new instrument. I picked up an alto sax and some number 2 reeds at a local shop, and everything seems to be in working order. I assembled everything, all the notes sound fine. From what I understand, the 6 major fingering spots go B-A-G-F-E-D. I was wondering how I could hit a low c and a C natural? Also, did I pick a good reed to start with, not too hard or too soft? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have been playing guitar for three years now, and I decided to learn a new instrument. I picked up an alto sax and some number 2 reeds at a local shop, and everything seems to be in working order. I assembled everything, all the notes sound fine. From what I understand, the 6 major fingering spots go B-A-G-F-E-D. I was wondering how I could hit a low c and a C natural? Also, did I pick a good reed to start with, not too hard or too soft? Any help is greatly appreciated.

The middle C is all fingers down on both left and right hands, and then the right hand pinky on the lower pinky key. The C in staff is your middle finger only on your left hand. I wouldn't worry about getting middle C right now since that is on the very low end of the instrument, and you need the middle and upper range more than lower as a beginner. Go get a book like Essential Elements or Standards of Excellence as these will be good tools to get you playing quicker. Also, a teacher would be a great thing to do to actually learn the instrument correctly.
Your reed strength should be fine.

I am a clarinet player, not sax, so I can't tell you how to play the notes you want. However, a number 2 reed is probably the best reed you could pick as a beginner. If everything sounds good and you're comfortable with it, then keep using number 2's -- otherwise get a higher numbered reed. The tone will be sweeter with the lower the number of reed, but you probably already know that.

Good luck and I hope someone can tell you how to play the low C and C natural!

I haven't played it in YEARS, but as far as i remember, low c is all the finger spots held as well as your pinky on the potruding key. Natural C is just your middle finger (left hand) and the thumb key.
This is going off memory. I havent played in 16 years.

I'm also a saxophone player, but I can't really explain to you how to play it, so I'm going to give you a website that shows the fingering of those 2: http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/sax/sax_fing... It should describe it a little well than I could've. As for the reeds, they're good for beginners like yourself, but as you get more experienced, try going for strength 3 reeds.