The D Blues Scale on Saxophone has six notes. However, when practicing Blues Scales it's beneficial to start on the root and end on the octave, bringing the total to seven notes.
That helps bring home the “Blues Scale sound” which is useful. Especially if you are a saxophone beginner and want to understand the Saxophone Scales beyond just pressing keys on your saxophone.
Play D Blues Scale on Saxophone
The D Blues Scale can be played over two octaves on your saxophone. Starting on low D as written out in the image with sheet music moving two full octaves up to high D with the palm key.
Facts about the D Blues Scale on Saxophone
Looking at the image above, you can see the notation for the D Blues Scale on the saxophone, starting at the root going up to the octave.
The intervals of the D Blues Scale
- Root › Minor third › Whole Step › Half Step › Half Step › Minor Third › Whole Step
This translates to the following notes: D › F › G › G# › A › C › D
Practice the D Blues Scale on Saxophone
You should make a habit of practicing your scales in different tempos, using different tonguings. This helps you develop both tone control and precision. Here are three ways to implement this right now:
- Exercise 1: Separate each note in the scale by tonguing
- Exercise 2: Separate every other note in the scale by tonguing
- Exercise 3: Play every slurred in the scale, without tonguing
Next up:
- Blues Scale above: Play the E♭ Blues Scale on Saxophone
- Blues Scale below: Play the D♭ Blues Scale on Saxophone
- Overview: All Saxophone Scales
