the art of saxophone - andrew scott

8/13/2019 The Art of Saxophone - Andrew Scott

1/57

The Art of

Saxophone

An enjoyable and thorough series of exercises, songs and explanations.Provides the beginning student with a firm foundation for study of the

Saxophone.

by Andrew Scott

Book andAudio Set


2/57

The

Art of Saxophone

An introduction to thesaxophone

by Andrew Scott

andrewscottmusic.com

Copyright Notice

This publication is copyright 2007 by Andrew Scott.

You may not resell, distribute, publicize, display on a website, exploitcommercially or use any part of this publication for any other purposethan private study.
http://www.andrewscottmusic.com/http://www.andrewscottmusic.com/


3/57

2

Contents Parts of the Saxophone ...................... 3

Lesson 1 Assembling the Saxophone ........................... 4 - 5

Making a Sound on the Mouthpiece ................ 4The Note A ........................................................ 7Tonguing........................................................... 7

Lesson 2The Staff, Treble Clef ....................................... 8The Half Note (Minim) ....................................8Bar Lines, Half Rests........................................ 9The Quarter Note (Crotchet) .......................... 10The Time Signature ......................................... 10Quarter Rest, Final Bar Line ........................... 11

Lesson 3How to Tune the Saxophone........................... 12

Lesson 4The Note B ....................................................... 14Repeat Sign, Bar Numbers .............................. 15Two Note Samba ............................................. 16Basic Blues (duet)..................................... ... 16

Lesson 5 The Note C ....................................................... 17Easy to C .......................................................... 17

ABC Exercise ................................................... 17

The Dotted Half Note ...................................... 18Boomerang ...................................................... 18Half Measure ................................................... 18

Lesson 6The Note G....................................................... 19Country Modes ................................................20Cool Dude ........................................................20Satellite Song .............................................. 20 4 Note Blues .................................................... 21The Common Time Signature ......................... 21

All too Common ....................................... ....... 21

Lesson 7 The Note F ....................................................... 22Bayou Stomp ...................................................22Fine Old Time .................................................. 22Heavy Metals ................................................... 23Beam Me Up .................................................... 23The Slur ...........................................................24Legato Lullaby ................................................. 24

Lesson 8The Note B b ..................................................... 25Flat to the Boards ............................................ 25Love Me Tender............................................... 26Flat Signs After a Clef...................................... 26Ode to Joy........................................................ 26Mango Tango ...................................................27Batucada Blues ................................................ 27

Lesson 9The Lead-In .....................................................28The Banks of the Ohio ..................................... 28When the Saints Go Marchin In .................. 29

Lesson 10The Three Four Time Signature .....................30Three to the Bar...............................................30The Tie .............................................................30Barcarolle ........................................................ 31Tied Down ....................................................... 31The Whole Note............................................... 32Good Evening Friends..................................... 32Rhythm Review ............................................... 32Count Me In ..................................................... 32

Lesson 11Breathing and Blowing.................................... 33 Lesson 12

The Note E ....................................................... 35Waltz of the Saxophones ................................. 35Mary Ann.... ...................... ..................... ....... 36

Lesson 13The Eighth Note (Quaver) .............................. 37Shave and a Haircut ........................................ 37Micks Mexican Mix ........................................38Eight Enough ................................................... 39

Lesson 14The Natural Sign .............................................40Natural Riff......................................................40Staccato ........................................................... 41Staccato Waltz ................................................. 41The Mexican Hat Dance ..................................42Staccato Blues ................................................. 42True Blues .................. ..................... ............. 43

Lesson 15 The Dotted Quarter Note (Dotted Crotchet) .. 44

Dotted Ballad................................................... 45Cornpicking ..................................................... 45Cuban Nights ................................................... 46Most of You ..................................................... 46Sonata Theme ..................................... ......... 47

Lesson 16The Note D.......................................................48The Carnival of Venice ....................................50O Susanna ........................................................ 50For Hes a Jolly Good fellow ........................... 51Last Minute Blues ........................................ 52

Glossary ........................................... 53 Fingering Index ................................ 54Transposing Table............................ 56


4/57

3

Parts of the Saxophone

The saxophone is made up of the pieces illustrated on this page.The instrument here is an alto

saxophone. The tenor saxophonelooks basically the same.

saxophone body

reed

mouthpiece

ligature

neck

neckstrap

tightening screw

cork

bell


5/57

4

Making a Sound with the

Reed on the MouthpieceHold the neck with your hands.

Keep your fingers away from the leverwhich lifts the pad.

Make an O shape with your lips.Put the end of the mouthpiece into yourmouth so that your bottom lip becomes

a cushion to support the reed.

Fitting the Reed

After you have dampened the reed,place it on the mouthpiece. Secure itloosely with the ligature, then adjust it sothat there is only a hairline of mouthpiece showing behind the tip.Tighten the ligature screws.

Lesson 1Preparing the Reed

The reed must be damp for it to vibrate properly. Some players soak their reedsin a glass of water for a few minutes before playing, but you can usually get away withholding the thin end in your mouth for about thirty seconds.

Fitting the Mouthpiece Apply somecork grease to

the cork atthe top of theneck. Push

the mouthpiece on with a twisting action until it covers about half to three quarters of the cork. Line up the flat piece of the

mouthpiece with the hole at the other end of the neck.

The mouthpiece should slide smoothly but very firmly over the cork. You may not need to apply grease every time you assemble the saxophone.


6/57

5

Attaching the Neck to theBody

Loosen the tightening screw at thetop of the saxophone body. Insert theneck and swivel it so that the mouthpiecepoints away from the bell. Tighten thescrew.

Put your neckstrap on and clip thesaxophone to it.

Adjust the length of the strap so thatthe mouthpiece is level with your mouth.

The neckstrap supports the entireweight of the saxophone. If you

need to lift the

saxophone with your rightthumb yourneckstrap is

too long.

Buzzing Sounds Track 2This track contains the sound of the

reed and mouthpiece attached to the neck.The pitch is bent down and up as theplayer loosens and tightens his lips.

Your top teeth should touch themouthpiece about one centimetre from theend.

Blow gently and smoothly. Themouthpiece should make a buzzing noise.

Buzzing SoundsWhen you can make a sound, vary it

by tightening and loosening your lips. You can hear this on

Track 2 of the CD.


7/57

6

T

Fingering Diagram for the Note A

Left Hand

Keys

Thumb RestLeft Thumb here all the

time.

Right

Hand Keys

Blue ShapesFinger holds key

closed.

White ShapeNo finger necessary.

Left Hand Right Hand

1 321 3

2

4 4

T

2

1


8/57

7Holding the Saxophone

Whenever you pick up the body of the saxophone, make sure you hold itwith one hand under the U bend at the bottom, and the other gripping the bell.Try not to squeeze any keys or rods because too much pressure can bendthem.

The Note A Place your fingers in position for the

note A as shown on page 6.

Blow into the saxophone.

You are now playing the note A.

TonguingUse your tongue to start and stop the

notes. As you play the note A, whisperthe word doo, several times .

The tip of your tongue will pushthe end of the reed against the

mouthpiece, blocking the flow of air. When you release yourtongue, the air flow will startinstantly, creating the syllabledoo.

This technique is calledt o ng u i ng . S ax o ph o neplayers use it all the time tomake notes start and stopcleanly.

Listen to Track 3 on the CD.

Tips

Fingers which are not pressing a key closed should hover above their homekeys, ready to close the key when necessary.

Your left thumb should always remain on the thumbrest. If you let itdance around you wont be able to balance the instrument as well.

Tongued Notes Track 3

First you will hear four A notes playedwithout tonguing. Then follow four notes withtonguing. You can hear the difference. Withouttonguing, the attack on the note sounds more like a foo than a doo.


9/57

8

Lesson 2The Staff (or Stave)

A staff (plural: staves) is a set of five lines and four spaces upon which music can

be written. The lines and spaces are numbered from the bottom.

The Treble Clef The symbol at the left end of the staff is called a treble clef. Every line of

saxophone music has these clefs to show you how notes are named. There are otherclefs, such as bass and alto clefs, but for saxophone playing you only need to know thisone.

4th space

3rd space

2nd space

1st space

The Half Note

(or Minim)

The half note (or minim in somecountries) symbol looks like a hollowedout egg, with a stick on one side. A half note has a value of two beats.

The note above, written in the secondspace of the staff, is the A note youlearned in the previous lesson.

The Half Note A

The position of a note in the staff tellsus its name.

2nd space

5th line

4th line

3rd line

2nd line

1st line


10/57

9 Exercise 1 Track 4

This exercise contains three A notes, each to be held for two beats. On the CDthere are another two beats on the hi hat cymbal after the third A, then the exerciseis repeated three times. The second and third repeats contain only the hi hat and bassdrum.

Play the three notes below, tonguing each one.

The Bar Line

Notes can be grouped in measures or bars. Bar lines divide groups of notes intoequal numbers of beats.

The Half Rest (or Minim Rest)

Rests indicate that you dont need to play any note. The following symbol drawnon the middle line of the staff is a half rest (or minim rest). It means: play nothingfor two beats, but keep counting.

Exercise 2 Track 5

This exercise on the CD is played four times - twice with the saxophone and hi-hat, and twice with just the hi-hat.

There are four beats introduction to most of the exercises on the CD.

Think: 1 1 12 1 2 2 2

2 beats + 2 beats = 4 2 beats + 2 beats = 4

rest for 2

Think: 1 1 12 2 2 1 2

rest for 2

Numbers in bold type are placed under notes that you tongue.

Numbers in light type are under beats that you sustain or just count.


11/57

10

The Time Signature A time signature is a symbol that tells you how many beats should be played in

each bar, and what kind of beats they are.

The Quarter Note (or Crotchet) A quarter note symbol is a solid egg shape with a stick. The quarter note has a

value of one beat.

Exercise 3 Track 6

On the CD, this and the next three exercises are played twice.

The pair of fours above are known as the four four time signature. They meanthat each bar contains four beats. These beats can be any combination of quarter andhalf notes or rests, or other notes that you will learn later.

Exercise 4 Track 7

Think: 1 3 4 1 3 1 3 4 1 32 2 4 2 2 4

Think:


12/57

11The Quarter Rest (or Crotchet Rest)

The Final Bar LineThe thick and thin lines at the end of the next exercise are a final bar line. They

indicate the end of a piece of music.

Exercise 5 Track 8

Exercise 6 Track 9

Tip

It is normal to feel some abrasion on the outside of your lower lip as a resultof the reed rubbing against it. As your lips get used to the aggravation, the skinthere will become stronger. If it cracks and starts to peel, try using a lip balm,

and avoid the saxophone for a couple of days.

The quarter rest symbol is a squiggly device meandering between the 1st and4th spaces of the staff. Its value is one beat of silence.


13/57

12

Lesson 3How to Tune the Saxophone

Tuning Track 1

Step 2Start Track 1 again. Play your A, then listen to the saxophone on the CD.

Step 3Was your A at exactly the same pitch, or was it higher or lower?

Step 4If your note sounds the same as the CD note, your saxophone is already in tune.

Go to Step 7.

You will need to be able tune the saxophone to make it sound at its best when youplay with other instruments or recordings.

You can do this by playing a note and then comparing it to a reference tone.

Step 1Listen to Track 1 on the CD, following the music on the chart below.


14/57

13Step 5

If your note sounds lower than the CD, your saxophone is said to be flat. Raiseits pitch by pushing the mouthpiece further onto the cork, then repeat Steps 2 and 3.

Step 6 If your note sounds higher than the CD, your saxophone is said to be sharp.

Lower its pitch by pulling the mouthpiece out along the cork, then repeat Steps 2 and3.

Step 7 As a final check, play your A at the same time as the saxophone on the CD. If

the two notes are in tune they will sound like one instrument. If not, there will be aharsh, irritating beating sound, somewhat like two blowflies sparring. Return to Steps2 and 3.

Tuning Tips

1. Dont be too concerned if you cant tell whether you are sharp or flat.

Development of the ear takes its own time.2. Hot weather makes the saxophone sharp. Cold weather will make it flat.

You will need to adjust your mouthpiece more on very hot or cold days.

Pushing the mouthpiece on raises the pitch.

Pulling the mouthpiece offlowers the pitch.


15/57

14

Note StemsNotes written below the middle line have

their stems on the right of the note headgoing up. Notes written above the middle lineusually have their stems on the left goingdown. Notes on the middle line can havetheir stems in either direction.

Lesson 4The Note B

B Exercise Track 10

The location of a note on the staff tellsus its name. The note B is written on themiddle line of the staff.

Middle

or 3rd lineStem

Note head

T 1


16/57

15The Repeat Sign

Chord SymbolsThe letters and numbers above the staves in the following songs are chord symbols.

A guitarist or keyboard player can use them to accompany you. The top row of symbolsis for accompanying an alto or baritone saxophone. The bottom row is for tenor orsoprano.

Bar Numbers

(or Measure Numbers)

B & A Exercise 2 Track 12

The two dots before thefinal barline are a repeat sign.They mean: play the pieceagain from the start.

B & A Exercise Track 11This and all the following exercises on the CD are played twice - once with the

saxophone and accompaniment, then again with just the accompaniment.

Bar numbers (also called measure numbers) can be used to help you quickly find your place in a piece of music.


17/57

16

Basic Blues Track 14Shuffle Style

A piece of music for two instruments is called a duet.

Two Note Samba Track 13


18/57

17

Lesson 5

3rd space

Easy to C Track 15 Bossa Nova Style

ABC Exercise Track 16 Fast Latin Style

The Note C The note C is written in the third space

of the staff.

2

T

2


19/57

18

Are you still tonguing each note?

Half Measure Track 18 Merengue Style

Boomerang Track 17 Jethro Style

The Dotted Half Note

(Dotted Minim)

A dot written after a note lengthens it by half of its value. A half note, with a dotafter it, is played for three beats instead of two.

2 3 2 3 rest

2 3 2 3 rest

2 3 4 2 3 4

2 3 4

quarter note(or crotchet)

1 beat

half note(or minim)

2 beats

dotted half note(or dotted minim)

3 beats


20/57

19

Lesson 6

2nd line

G Wiz Track 20 Boogie Woogie Style

G Exercise Track 19 Afro Style

The Note G The note G is written on the second

line of the staff.

23

1T 1

23


21/57

20

Country Modes Track 21 John Denver Style

Satellite Song Track 23 Bogey Style

Cool Dude Track 22Goodnight Style


22/57

214 Note Blues Track 24Chuck Berry Style

The Common Time Signature

All Too Common Track 25

Medium Rock Style

This symbol is known as the common timesignature. It is frequently used instead of the four fourtime signature, and has the same meaning - four beatsper bar (or measure).


23/57

22

Lesson 7

Fine Old Time Track 27 Country Jethro Style

Bayou Stomp Track 26 Rockabilly Style

The Note F The note F is written in the first

space of the staff.

1st space

23

1T

1

3

1

2

1


24/57

23

Heavy Metals Track 28 Heavy Metal Style

Beam Me Up Track 29Scott Joplin Style


25/57

24The Slur

A slur is a curved line written over or below several notes. When a slur is appliedto notes it means that you play them smoothly. To do this, keep blowing as you changethe fingering for the different notes. Only tongue the first note of the group enclosed by the slur.

Another word for playing smoothly, often used in music, is legato.

Slur Exercise 2 Track 31

Slur Exercise 1 Track 30

Legato Lullaby Track 32 Alberti Style

Slur


26/57

25

Flat to the Boards Track 33 Reggae Style

Flat signs apply to all Bs in the bar. Bars 1 and 5 of this song each contain only

one flat sign, but two B b notes.

Lesson 8

There are several different fingeringsfor B b. Most players prefer this one.

The Note B Flat (B b )

This note is lower than B, but not aslow as A. Its pitch is halfway between Band A.

The sign b in music notation ispronounced flat.

The flat sign is written after the note

in text, (e.g. B b) but before it on the staff.

T

1Use the base of yourright hand first finger

on this side key.

1

2


27/57

26

Ode to Joy Track 35 Ludwig van BeethovenClassical Style

Ludwig van Beethoven lived in Europe from 1770 to 1827. This piece is an an excerptfrom his 9th Symphony.

Flat Signs after a Clef Flat signs are often written on the staff, after a clef. When this happens, as in Ode

to Joy, you play every note on the middle line as B b.

Love Me Tender Track 34 Blueberry Hill Style


28/57

27

Mango Tango Track 36Tango Style

Batucada Blues Track 37 Batucada Style

In bars 5 and 6 of this song you may prefer to use the second fingering for B b shownon page 55.


29/57

28

Lesson 9The Lead-In (or Pick-up)

Songs do not always begin on the first beat of a bar. A lead-in is a group of notesthat occurs before the first complete bar of a song, as in the next song.

The Banks of the Ohio Track 38Country Style

On the CD there are five beats to introduce this song. Count: 1 2 3 4 1,then play.

Lead-in

The final bar of a song that begins with a lead-in contains the beats that were left out at the start.

Tip

If your reeds become wrinkled after you moisten them in hot weather, youcan iron them flat. Use your thumb to press the thin end against the flat part

of your mouthpiece for about half a minute.


30/57

29

When the Saints Go Marchin In Track 39Trad. Jazz Style

On the CD there are five beats to introduce this song. Count: 1 2 3 4 1,then play.


31/57

30

Lesson 10The Three Four Time Signature

The numbers 3 and 4 after a clef are called thethree four time signature. They mean that there are only three beats in each bar, instead of four.

A waltz is a piece of music written in three fourtime.

Three to the Bar Track 40Waltz Style

On the CD there are three beats to introduce songs in three four time.

The Tie

At first glance a tie seems identical to a slur. The difference is that the tie connectstwo notes of the same pitch, whereas a slur connects two or more notes of differentpitches.

To play a tied note, keep counting as you blow, but dont tongue the second note.

2 2

2 3

The Tie Track 41

Think: 2 3 1 2 3


32/57

31

Barcarolle Track 42 Jacques Offenbach Parisian Waltz StyleJacques Offenbach (1819-1880) began his musical career as a cello player. His mostfamous composition is the Can-Can.

Tied Down Track 43

Bogey Style

2 4 1 2 4


33/57

32

Good Evening FriendsPlay B natural in this exercise, not B b. B natural is plain, everyday B - the second

note you learned.

2 3 4

The Whole Note (or Semibreve)In the last song, Tied Down, you created a note

with a value of four beats by joining two half notestogether (bars 1-2, 5-6, etc). There is another way towrite a four beat note, called a whole note (orsemibreve).

2 3 4

Rhythm Review

Count Me In Track 44 Achy Breaky Style


34/57


35/57

34

TipDont try to suck air when you are breathing in. Just relax. Allow Nature

to fill your lungs. Save your energy for blowing the saxophone.

Nature Abhors a Vacuum

When you empty your lungs, youcreate a low pressure system inside your body. Outside the body is a high pressuresystem. Nature tries to equalise these twosystems by helping you to take a breath.The quickest way to get more air into your lungs is to relax and let theprinciples of physics work for you.

Breath MarkerThe following symbol appears at certain places in the music to tell you when to

take a breath:

Breathtaking

Relax tobreathe in.


36/57

35

Lesson 12The Note E

Waltz of the Saxophones Track 45 Chopin Style

E is written on the first line of thestaff.

1st line

1

23

2

1


37/57

36

Mary Ann Track 46 Bossa Nova Style


38/57

37

Lesson 13The Eighth Note (or Quaver)

An eighth note (or quaver) is equal to half a quarter note.

When two ormore eighth notesare joined togethertheir tails become a beam.

Beam

Shave and a Haircut Track 50 Hip Hop Style

In bar 2, will you be playing B natural or B flat?

Eighth Note Exercise 3 Track 49



rest rest rest rest rest

Tail

Think: one and two

rest rest

Think: four and


39/57

38

Eighth note Exercise 4 Track 51

Micks Mexican Mix Track 53

Music Box Style Five beats introduction.

Eighth note Exercise 5 Track 52


40/57

39

Eight Enough Track 54

Country Rock Style

Tip

Clean and dry your saxophone by pulling a cloth through it after eachpractice session. Pay particular attention to the mouthpiece and reed. You willneed to take the reed off to clean the mouthpiece properly. Failure to do this willresult in a buildup of stale, green mould. Do you really want that in your mouthnext time you play?

If your mouthpiece has already reached the disgusting stage, merely soakingit in a basin of warm soapy water will not work. Scrub it clean with an oldtoothbrush.


41/57

40

Natural Riff Track 58 Miles Davis Funk Style

Natural Exercise 1 Track 55

In the second and fourth bars of this exercise you play B natural (B n), not Bb.Bn is the first B you learned, on page 14.

In the first and third bars, play B b.



Lesson 14The Natural Sign

n A natural sign cancels the effect of a flat sign. Natural signs only last untilthe end of a bar. Then, the flat sign after the clef comes back into play.


42/57

41Staccato

You have seen that a dot written after a notelengthens the note (page 18).

A dot written above or below a note means that you play the note short and detached from other notes.This method of playing is called staccato. It is thecomplete opposite of playing legato, or smoothly.

To play notes staccato, think of the letter d when you tongue the note, insteadof the syllable doo.

Staccato Exercise 1 Track 59

Staccato Waltz Track 62 Jazz Waltz Style

Staccato Riff 1 Track 60 Heavy Rock Style

Staccato Riff 2 Track 61 Bossa Nova Style


43/57

42

The Mexican Hat Dance Track 63 Fiesta Style

Staccato Blues Track 64 Funk Style

Staccato dots can also be applied to eighth notes. Play them very short.


44/57

43

True Blues Track 65 Cut-Time Funk Style


45/57

44

Lesson 15The Dotted Quarter Note

(or Dotted Crotchet) Adding a dot after a quarter note increases its length to one and half beats.

quarter note(or crotchet)

1 beat

half note(or minim)

2 beats

dotted half note(or dotted minim)

3 beats

dotted quarter note(or dotted crotchet)

1 beats

Dotted Quarter Note Exercise 1 Track 66



2 2 3 4 2 2 3 4

4 rest 4 rest

2 4 2 2 4


2 3 2 3


46/57

45

Cornpicking Track 72Chet Atkins Style

Dotted Ballad Track 71Country Ballad Style

Rock Riff 1 Track 70

Dont confuse a dot after a note with adot above or below it.

Lengthening dots1 beats each

Staccato dots1 beat each


47/57

46

Most of You Track 74 Breezin Style

Cuban Nights Track 73 Merengue Style


48/57

47Sonata Theme K331 Track 75 Wolfgang Mozart Classical Style

Wolfgang Mozart lived in Austria for most of his life, which was tragically short. (1756-1791) He composed more than 600 pieces of music. This theme is an extract from oneof his many piano sonatas.


49/57

48

1

23

2

1

3

Lesson 16The Note D

4th line

D Exercise 1 Track 76



D is written on the fourth line of the staff.

This is your first note with theoctave key.

Keep your thumb on the thumbrest as it moves on and off theoctave key.

Octave Key


50/57

49






51/57

50

The Carnival of Venice Track 83 Italian Waltz Style

Five beats introduction.

O Susanna Track 84 Folk Style

Three beats introduction.


52/57

51

For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow Track 86Old Style Waltz

Above bar 24 is the instruction D. C. al Fine (pronounced fee-nay). This isan abbreviation of Da Capo al Fine, which means that you play the song again fromthe start until you reach the word Fine (bar 16).

Five beats introduction.

Rock Riff 2 Track 85 Heavy Rock Style


53/57

52

Last Minute Blues Track 87 Count Basie Style

Tip

You may notice that your bottom teeth are gouging a groove on the insideof your lower lip. This is not a good sign and means that you are folding yourlip over your teeth like a flap of skin between your teeth and the mouthpiece. Try to shape your lower lip more like a cushion. Think of an O shape as you place your mouth around the mouthpiece.


54/57


55/57

54

Fingering

B C C #or D b

F #

or G b G

G #

or Ab A

A # or B b

B C

C #

or D b D


56/57

55

Index

D D # or E b E F

A # or B b

D #

or E b E F

F #or

G b

1st finger holds both

keys


57/57

56Transposing Table

The table below shows you which note you must play to sound the same as anotherinstrument, such as a guitar or piano, or another saxophone.

For example, if you are playing an A on the alto sax, the guitars note will be C,and the tenors note will be D.

If you play A on a tenor sax, the guitar should play G, and the alto must play E.

Alto &Baritone

Saxophones

ConcertInstruments

E.g. Guitar,piano

Tenor &Soprano

Saxophones

D # or E b

A

A # or B b

C

D

C # or D b

F # or G b

B

E

F

D # or E b

A

C

D

C # or D b

F # or G b

G # or A b

E

F

G A

A # or B bB

D # or E bD

F # or G b

G # or A b

E

F

G

the art of saxophone - andrew scott

Documents