A Complete Approach to Sound for the Modern Saxophonist

This book is designed to guide saxophonists of any genre towards achieving their ideal sound. Not only will pursuing this aspiration result in a more beautiful and powerful tone, but it will also promote virtuosity in other areas of technique such as the ability to execute technical passage, extending the range of the saxophone to four octaves, and widening the palette of available tone colors. The guiding principles for reaching these goals are taught in this book as are corresponding specific exercises to help efficiently achieve them. Accompanying sound clips are available at: www.benbrittonjazz.com/completeapproach "This is a terrific book on an often neglected yet integral part of saxophone playing. I recommend Ben's book to every serious saxophonist." --Walt Weiskopf Editor: Victor Pinto, New Orleans, LA Cover Photophrapy: Frankie Withers, Annapolis, MD
About the Author: Saxophonist Ben Britton is an active educator and performer in the U.S. His talents as a musician and composer were first nationally recognized in 2007 when he was selected to participate in a residency at the Kennedy Center as part of the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. Following that, Britton recorded and performed with both world renown musicians like Chris Potter and Bobby Sanabria as well as rising stars from the younger generation. His most recent recording as a leader, an EP titled Children at Play, features Philadelphia based musicians and a unique brand of jazz with influences ranging from African music to modern rock. He also performed on the album Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!! which was nominated for best Latin Jazz Album at the 2011 Latin Grammys. In 2012, Britton participated in two national saxophone competitions placing as a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival National Saxophone Competition and winning the 1st Annual Charlie Parker Cutting Contest hosted by NPR's 12th Street Jump. As a music educator Britton's endeavors are numerous and varied. He has held adjunct teaching positions at various colleges including University of Pennsylvania and Ursinus College. With his brother, John, he developed a curriculum for learning to improvise over odd time signatures including play-alongs of original compositions, recordings of solos by Chris Potter over those compositions, and transcriptions and solo analyses as well. The curriculum was released in tandem with their record, Uncertain Living, and can now be found on his website, benbrittonjazz.com. Britton also writes a blog, Everything Saxophone, that features equipment reviews and various articles on saxophone technique and jazz improvisation.