The Hite Site
Sax playerA SAXOPHONIST'S STUDY GUIDE
by David Hite



LEVEL 2

With the student's advancement into level two, he should begin to feel at home with his instrument. He can begin to focus on how to play music rather than how to play the saxophone. Continue to improve and stabilize tone and technic. Participation in school concerts, solo contests, studio recitals and everyday rehearsals will reinforce these objectives. Daily practicing should be gratifying. As muscle stamina developes, practice time should be increased to forty five minutes a day.

Study and practice in the Melodious and Progressive Studies, Book 1, and in the Forty Progressive Melodies will most likely not be completed on this level. Although significant progress can be made playing these studies a first time, much can be gained by repeating these studies to perfect easy, accurate performance and to give primary attention to elegance of musical expression. While initial study will consume the student's attention in reading notes and maintaining accurate rhythm and tempo. later more attention may be placed on dynamics, subtleties of musical style and creating a musical mood. It is best not to rush learning at this stage; take the time to settle into the musical meat of this material. This process will make music in the following levels much easier to grasp.

As his basic theoretical background expands, the student should begin to study music carefully before playing. More will be achieved during practice periods with this thoughtful advanced preparation.


Technique basics
  • Refine finger motion and control.
  • Develop the ability to sustain long tones for ten seconds. Continue to improve tone quality.
  • Improve tongue and finger coordination. Always maintain clean articulation. Strive for control at faster speeds.
  • Continue to develop solid rhythmic concepts and control.
Theory basics
  • Know and perform major scales and tonic chords up to three sharps and three flats. Construct minor scales and minor tonic chords up to three sharps and three flats.
  • Aurally and visually recognize intervals up to a fifth.
  • Aurally identify major and minor triads.
  • Expand vocabulary of tempo and style terms.

Study Guide:
Level 1
Etudes & repertoire
for this level
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HOMEPAGE
Study Guide:
Level 3

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Revised: March 5, 1997    URL: http://www.jdhite.com/study/saxophone/level2.htm