The main difference between an alto sax and a tenor sax is that the alto sax is played in the key of E flat while the tenor sax is played in the key of B flat. While the sheet music for the alto sax doesn't look any different than the sheet music for the tenor sax, alto sax notes are higher than tenor sax notes. read more
The Alto Sax is smaller than the Tenor Sax. The Alto Sax is in the key of Eb and the Tenor Sax is in the key of Bb. The music that either sax can play looks the same on paper, but the size difference makes the same note on the Alto Sax sound higher than the same note played on a Tenor Sax. read more