Lessons
In the Beginners Saxophone Section:
- Beginners FAQs
- Saxophone Studies
- Learn to Play Saxophone
- First Steps on the Saxophone
- Saxophone Transposition
- Fingering Charts
- Beginners Instruction DVD
- Find a Saxophone Teacher
- Rhythm & Blues Saxophone
- Rock & Roll Saxophone
- How to Organise Your Practice Schedule
- Stage Fright & Performance Nerves
- Saxophone Video Lessons
+ More beginner stuff in the main Theory/Impro section:
- Beginners Tunes + Impro
- Beginners’ Impro TTS Vol 2
- Beginners Scales
- Chords For Beginners
- Rock & Blues
- Chords and Numerals
- Special Chords
- Voicing & Inversions
I have designed and developed all the online saxophone exercises, tutorials and lessons in this section over many years both as a professional recording musician and as a teacher at Southampton University. I have used these exercises as part of a regular practice routine.
The exercises are aimed towards jazz and blues playing, but are still very useful for other styles, whether it’s free jazz, smooth jazz, classical, funk, pop, rock & roll and r ’n’ b. The tone and effects section is useful for all styles. I hope you find these lessons and tutorials useful.
In the Tone Section
Tone and sound are crucial for being able to play expressively, so we take an in-depth look at the techniques involved. Tone production exercises have always been thought of as especially boring – even if you dedicate a lot of time to long notes, unless your mind is focussed on what you are doing then much of the practise time is wasted. We look at how to keep the tone practise efficient and interesting.
The full set of these is included in the book Taming The Saxophone Vol I – Tone without Tears
- Saxophone Tone & Sound
- Intonation & Tuning
- Tone Control Exercises
- NEW! Combining Tone & Fingering
- Articulation & Tonguing
- Saxophone Vibrato
- Mouthpiece Exercises
- Harmonics (Overtones)
- Altissimo on saxophone
- Subtone
- Visualising the Sound
- Saxophone Embouchure
- Breathing Exercises & Breath Control
- Diaphragm Breathing
- Saxophone Circular Breathing
- Bright Sound or Dark Sound
In the Fingering Exercises Section
This section of the site includes many online extracts from the book Taming The Saxophone vol III. These are mostly the exercises that I have been practising every day since I became a professional player. Some come from books but most are things shown me by other players, i.e. they are the most useful things to practise to get your fingers around the horn and to get an understanding of how scales, chords and other aspects of music theory fit into your playing and help with general technique as well as improvising.
The full set of these exercises, in all keys where appropriate, is included in the book Taming The Saxophone Vol III
- Fingering Exercises Vol 3
- Saxophone Warmup
- Dexterity & Technique
- Cycle of Fifths
- 2 5 1 Progressions
- Chromatic Scale Exercises
- Tips 1 : Auxiliary F without the aux key
- Studies in 4ths
- Diminished Patterns and Licks
- Tips 3: Low Bb to B Trill
- Whole Tone Scale Exercises
- Alternate Saxophone Fingerings
- Tips 2: F to G altissimo trill
In the Saxophone Effects section
The saxophone is capable of so many special effects, it’s vital to include them in your repertoire. This help to express music as well as keep it interesting and sometimes humourous. We cover most effects from note bending, the growl, fluttertongue and how to make the saxophone laugh.
- Saxophone Growl
- Bending notes
- Saxophone Wobble
- Slaptongue & Smacktongue
- Saxophone Dooden Tonguing
- Saxophone Laugh
- Flutter Tongue
- The Adderley Trill
- False Fingerings
- Multiphonics
- Flick-tonguing
SaxophoneTeachers
Our directory Saxophone Teachers Directory is moving to Teacher Connect , a new directory on CafeSaxophone to help students find teachers, and teachers find students. This is an international forum where you can find teachers locally, or who teach via Skype or Facetime.
Teacher Connect (Listings)
- Teacher in Highlands?Hello all, Am looking for a teacher in north west highlands of Scotland. I live in Mallaig and there is next to no woodwind players here at all. I have had a couple of lessons with a teacher not too far away but she is often busy with full time piano teaching, I think I […]
- Saxophone Teacher, Andover HampshireI deliver peripatetic saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano lessons in and around the Andover area. All levels and ages taught. I offer a bespoke service right in the comfort of your own home. Please visit www.stormdynamics.co.uk or search for Storm Dynamics Music School on Facebook. I have been teaching for over ten years both in […]
- Darlington Teachers??im looking to find a teacher in the darlington area if anyone knows anyone?
- Saxophone Teacher, Isle of WightHi one and All I am an experienced Saxophone teacher based in Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight. I have been playing Saxophone for 40 years and teaching full time for the last 13 years. I spent 17 yeas in the Army as a saxophonist, playing all over the world. I now play in Big […]
- Teacher WantedHartford (Glastonbury, specifically) CT area. I’m an old guy; go easy on me (lol)
- Teacher wantedHi all im after an alto sax tutor in london uxbridge area
- Saxophone teacher. Trowbridge. Area.An absolute beginner. Would love to learn the saxophone.
- Personal Teacher wanted in Manhattan for Adult Beginner. UES LocationCanceled! I seem to be in the wrong country!!
- TEACHING: Simon SpillettHi, It's been a long time since I last posted anything here, so apologies if I've popped up in the wrong category! I'm posting details flagging up my teaching. If you're interested, please do get in touch. Best Wishes Simon Spillett Winner of a clutch of awards for his music (Top Tenor in the 2011 […]
- SaxophoneHi I have just started out and am looking to meet others to practice with , if there any others who meet up on a regular basis I would like to hear from you , I live within the South East London
- Saxophone & flute lessons, London (North and Central)Hi! I have been a professional musician for over 40 years, and teaching saxophone and flute for the last 20 years. I have worked all over the world, doing sessions and with bands in many styles and genres. My lessons are tailor-made for each individual student, with an emphasis on jazz improvisation and having fun. […]
- Alison Diamond Saxophone Lessons in ManchesterI teach Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophone from beginner through to advanced level and specialise in Jazz improvisation. My students range in age from youngsters to retired people and can also offer online options for students outside my area. If people wish to take exams I can tutor for ABRSM grades. I am an experienced […]
- Teacher, specialist in rock & pop techniques HertfordshireI am a session, recording musician teacher who specialises in rock and pop sound techniques and soloing but I cover all genres and styles. 07913 661051 www.davsax.com
- Teacher in East LondonA lifetime passion for music to be transmitted to my students "Like a child with a pencil can make a drawing, it is my opinion that few notes are enough to start making music" More info on my website
- Teacher in BarnsleyI give lessons in the barnsley, can travel further afiled by arrangement
- Teacher in Greenock / Port Glasgow / Paisley areas?Please can anyone recommend a teacher in the scenic but saxophonic wasteland 'doon the watter' to the west of Glasgow. The local music shop tells me the one and only sax teacher in the area died a few years ago. (Bands also appear thin on the ground. I blame the bagpipes)
- London, Carshalton area - Any local tutor?Hi, I am just starting on the alto and I was looking for a few lessons with a tutor to set me on the right path with the embochure and the basics. Unfortunately I cannot afford regular lessons, as I already spend a lot on lessons for my child, but I guess a few lessons, […]
- Teacher in the vicinity of Canterbury, UKHello, guys. I am a beginner and I would really use a couple of lessons to put me on the right track. I have an alto sax and I feel like I've reached a dead end. I think I sounded better at the beginner and now is just getting worse I live in Canterbury, but […]
- Seeking a teacher for AltoHi all, Following a successful panto season (backstage, I hasten to add!) I have been given some Royal reeds as a gift, as opposed to the standard Ricos I have been buying one at a time since I bought my alto a year ago ... Playing has been haphazard though I have got back into […]
- Teacher: North Shropshire / Cheshire / N. Staffs / N Wales ishI'm feeling the need for more sax lessons. The teacher I had was a woodwind tech and he lost access to the facilitiy he used for teaching. For once, I would like a musical activity to not be an hour's drive away... If I draw a 25 mile radius circle around me it would cover […]
