Saxophonist Pascal asked an excellent question concerning how to play by ear in different keys:

“Regarding exercises involving arpeggios, inversions, or scales on saxophone:  When using movable DO, should I think of each tonality as if it were C Major?  For example, when I play in E major, do I think, “DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO”?   Is it as if there were only one Major scale on each starting key?  This is a revelation for me!”

Good question, Pascal.  A major scale has the same specific form, regardless of which note is chosen to be DO.  Here is that form shown as a schematic and on the piano keyboard:

Continue reading “Playing by Ear in Different Keys” →