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Sax playerA SAXOPHONIST'S STUDY GUIDE
by David Hite



LEVEL 3

With progress through level three comes a real sense of accomplishment. The player should become a good, competent member of the saxophone section in the school band. An interest in stage band or ensemble music could be developing. One hour a day practice sessions should be routine, and as a result, the fingers should become totally comfortable in the patterns of the most used keys.

The activities that support continued development should be cultivated. Reeds should be carefully selected for vibrancy, response, tonal clarity and good dynamic range. Playing on old worn out reeds should be avoided. At least three well adjusted, broken in reeds should be maintained at all times.

If the alto saxophone has been the primary instrument up to this point, consideration might be given to playing tenor or baritone saxophone. If possible, a personal mouthpiece for the additional instrument(s) should be purchased. Care should be taken to select mouthpieces with a matched feel to avoid the necessity of severe embouchure changes when changing instruments.


Technique basics
  • Improve reliable and accurate reading of music, making school band and ensemble music routine.
  • Develop a quicker, more self assured approach to newly assigned music.
  • Learn to sense proper tempos.
  • Continue to refine tone in four aspects: greater beauty and depth; more power and softer dynamics; agility to control crescendos and diminuendos; development of a tasteful vibrato.
  • Master all articulations, staccato, legato and slurring, in any combination.
  • Perform scale patterns in thirds.
  • Perform solos publicly.
Theory basics
  • Know all major and minor scales up to four sharps and four flats.
  • Understand the construction of the tonic, dominant and subdominant chords and how these chords relate to the scales; recognize the scales and chords in the music being studied.
  • Develop the ability to sing and/or recognize any ascending interval up to a fifth from a given note.
  • Expand vocabulary of terms, signs and tempos encountered in the music being performed.
  • Study phrasing including the recognition of phrases and how they relate to one another.

Study Guide:
Level 2
Etudes & repertoire
for this level
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Study Guide:
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Revised: March 5, 1997    URL: http://www.jdhite.com/study/saxophone/level3.htm