Playing & Teaching the Saxophone: A Modern Approach

Playing & Teaching the Saxophone: A Modern Approach provides a method for teaching the saxophone that is specific enough to use as a textbook in a collegiate saxophone methods class, simple enough for a band director to use in guiding their saxophone sections, clear enough for adult beginners to teach themselves the instrument, and deep enough for professionals to use as a resource in teaching private lessons at any level. The first sections of this book, Getting Started and Learning the Notes, take a student in a collegiate methods class or other adult beginner through the fundamental concepts of playing the saxophone. The In-Depth section then lays out critical concepts that are essential to the further development of any saxophonist. As a contemporary guide for teaching the musicians and music educators of the 21st century, this method addresses the pedagogy of not only the instrument, but of the whole student. It includes a diverse array of musical examples that celebrate communities and cultures around the globe, and a "Wellness for the Young Musician" chapter offers an overview of practices that will help students navigate performance anxiety and avoid injury while playing. Designed to be a lifelong reference for band directors and private instructors, the book includes "Hand-It-Over" sections that can be used as student instructional sheets. These materials, along with video performances and teaching demonstrations, are also available in the book's companion website.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Introduction Getting Started 1. The Saxophone 2. Parts of the Saxophone 3. Saxophone Assembly 4. Saxophone Disassembly 5. First Sounds on the Neck/Mouthpiece 6. Embouchure 7. Basic Voicing 8. Breathing 9. AIR-ticulation 10. Saxophone Posture and Hand Position 11. Basic Tuning 12. The Saxophone Family Learning the Notes 13. The First Notes: BAG FED 14. Middle C and Low C 15. Voicing and Overtones for Low Notes 16. The Octave Key 17. New Notes: F#, C#, Bb 18. Flawless Fingers 19. Low C# and D#, G# 20. Filling in the Gaps: One Octave Chromatic Scale 21. The Chromatic Scale: Second Octave 22. Palm Keys 23. The Lowest Notes: Bb and B 24. The Many Fingerings of Bb 25. Alternate Fingerings for F# and C 26. Final Performance In-Depth 27. Introduction to In-Depth Concepts 28. Articulation 29. Vibrato 30. Voicing & Overtones: The First Overtone 31. Voicing & Overtones: The Second Overtone 32. Overtone Practice Routine: ROVR 33. Intonation Training 34. Reed Storage and Adjustment 35. Developing Musicality 36. Introduction to Jazz Concepts 37. Soprano, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophone 38. Altissimo 39. Extended Techniques Teaching Tools 40. Introduction to Teaching Tools 41. First Lesson Planning Guide 42. Troubleshooting 43. Saxophone Pitch Tendency Guide 44. Saxophone Equipment 45. Saxophone Maintenance 46. Wellness for the Young Musician 47. Suggested Practice Routine and Warm-ups 48. Saxophone Resource Guide: Listening, Repertoire, and Further Reading Appendix A: Major Scale Reference Sheet Appendix B: Transposition Appendix C: Teacher's Guide to Saxophone Methods Appendix D: Chamber Music Acknowledgements About the Authors