The United States

Army Field Band

The Musical Ambassadors of the Army
Washington, DC
W

Saxophone
Basics
by
Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Price

The United States Army Field Band

4214 Field Band Drive Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-5330
Phone: (301) 677-6586 Fax: (301) 677-6533
E-mail: fldband@emh1.ftmeade.army.mil Website: www.army.mil/fieldband

The United States Army Field Band

Saxophone Basics

Saxophone Basics
by
Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Price

HISTORY
The saxophone is a versatile single reed instrument belonging to the woodwind family. The
entire family of saxophones ranges from the seldom
used sopranino and contrabass to the more commonly used soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. The saxophone was invented in 1838 by
Belgian-born instrument maker, Adolphe Sax, and
was patented in 1846 in Paris, France.
Although designed to augment low voices of
the symphony orchestra brass section, the saxophone was first commonly used in French military
bands. As it gained exposure around the world, the
saxophone established itself as a permanent fixture
in band repertoire. Since its introduction into vaudeville and early jazz, the saxophone has continued
to hold a prominent place in popular music.
Whether in marching band, jazz ensemble,
concert band, or saxophone quartet, one of the major problems of student saxophonists is the ability
to play in tune and blend with other instruments.
For proper intonation and good blending in an ensemble saxophonists must evaluate these factors:
the condition of the instrument, breath support,
mouthpiece/reed setup, embouchure, vibrato, and
sound concept. By addressing all of these areas,
saxophonists can use this knowledge to enjoy practicing, playing, and performing all types of music.

INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE
Saxophones are like carswithout regular
maintenance they will not respond well to your actions. A poorly maintained instrument can cause
its player to sound bad, have less fun, and become
frustrated quickly. Common problems include leaky
pads, bent keys and rods, missing felts and corks,
broken springs, unregulated keys, and faulty alignment.
Saxophonists can do many things to keep their
instruments in good playing condition. First, wipe
the moisture out of the saxophone neck and body
after playing. This will help remove the condensation from the bore and pads, allowing them to dry
faster. Failure to do this regularly can cause pads

to wear out quickly. The instrument may also develop an unpleasant odorgreen and blue bacteria
may even grow on the pads and bore! Second, use
both hands when holding or moving the instrument,
especially when getting it out or putting it away.
Be especially careful not to bend the rods. Third,
inspect the instrument regularly. Look for loose
pads, cracked corks, and unusual clicks; have them
checked before they become major problems. Finally,
have the instrument evaluated periodically by a
qualified professional repairman. Doing this preventative maintenance at least once a year will fix
many minor problems and eliminate the need for
costly major repairs later. Remember that a properly maintained instrument will work better and
be more fun to play.

BREATH SUPPORT
The lungs must be trained to produce the
steady, focused, sustained air stream needed to create vibrations in the reed and mouthpiece. Good
posture with a straight back and neck will greatly
aid the breathing process. Do not raise and lower
the shoulders when breathing. Lifting the shoulders creates tension that will affect the sound and
the fingers. Players should try to use their entire
lung capacity, allowing the lower part of the lungs
to push the stomach forward, then filling the upper cavity. The air is then released steadily, controlled by a muscle called the diaphragm. The air
stream should always be steady, never choppy. A
player can think of filling the instrument or the
whole room, never stopping the air except at the
end of a phrase or during a rest. Using too little
air can result in playing sharp, while using too
much air can cause a note to go flat. A good way to
practice producing a steady air stream is to play
scales at various speeds using the full range of the
instrument (see Example 1 on next page). Concentrate on producing an even air stream and consistent sound all the way up and down.

MOUTHPIECES AND REEDS

There are many different kinds of reeds and
mouthpieces developed for the diverse styles of
music a saxophonist must play. Generally, a medium-sized mouthpiece will meet most marching

Saxophone Basics
and concert band needs. A medium facing will produce a round, focused sound typically needed for
these groups. The mouthpiece will aid in blending
with the dynamic, tone color, and style of the other
musicians. A Selmer C is one of the best mediumsized mouthpieces. If cost or availability are a problem, it should be noted that most mouthpieces that
come with a new instrument have a medium facing
and will be adequate. When performing in jazz
groups, a mouthpiece with a larger tip opening may
be needed to project the sound and match the flexible styles and brighter timbre of the other musicians. Good mouthpieces and facings for this style
include Meyer 5, 6, or 7 or Otto Link 5, 6, or 7.
Mouthpieces are usually made of hard rubber or
metal. These materials produce different timbres
and have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Make an educated choice when picking a mouthpiece. Use the knowledge of a band director, private teacher, local professional musician, or music
dealer to find a match that will suit the playing
needs. However, remember that the price of a
mouthpiece has little to do with its suitability.

The reed will vibrate too easily and unpredictably

against the mouthpiece, so the focus of the sound
and pitch will always fluctuate. Hard reeds,which
require excessive amounts of air to make them vibrate, may hamper low note playing, encourage a
biting embouchure, and promote excessive air use.
Select a reed strength that will produce a sound that
has a consistent tone throughout the full range of the
instrument. Octaves and intervals should be changed
just with fingerings, not with absurd throat and embouchure movement (See Example 2 on page 3).

It is important to match the strength of the

reed to the mouthpiece. The air stream blows
against the mouthpiece/reed setup, creating the
vibrations that become the sound. Reeds that are
too soft will produce low notes too easily, cause high
notes to be out of tune, and sound stopped and
mushy. Soft reeds may encourage using a weak air
stream or poor embouchure to produce the sound.

The ligature is an important part of the mouthpiece/reed setup, which can also have a substantial
effect on tone. Make sure the ligature is in good
condition, allowing for a snug fit of the reed against
the mouthpiece. Ligatures that are bent, broken,
or missing screws might work to a limited extent,
but do not let the reed vibrate correctly against the
mouthpiece.

Example 1: Bb Major

b
&b c

Bb Harmonic minor

nb
& n b bbb

Generally, a medium strength reed fits a medium mouthpiece facing. For example, 3 or 31/2
Vandoren reeds would fit a Selmer C mouthpiece.
A lower strength reed fits a large, open mouthpiece
(i.e., 2 or 21/2 reeds may better match a Meyer 7
mouthpiece). Consult a band director, private
teacher, or professional for help in matching the
reed to the mouthpiece. Keep in mind that reed
strengths vary between manufacturersa #3
Vandoren reed, a #3 Rico reed, and a #3 Rico Royal
reed are very different.

n
n

# #

# # #

&

b n # #
Bb Chromatic

# n b b b
b b b b
b b b
&

b b b

Full range scales using Bb Major, Harmonic Minor and Chromatic scales

The United States Army Field Band

Saxophone Basics

REED AND MOUTHPIECE CARE

EMBOUCHURE

Be sure to routinely wipe out the mouthpiece

with a soft cloth, not a brush. This cleaning will
prevent gurgles and foreign objects from decreasing or changing vibrations in the chamber. Exercise care to avoid chipping the tip or scratching the
bore and rails of the mouthpiece.

There are many different variations on teaching good saxophone embouchures. A standard
method involves putting the top teeth on the top of
the mouthpiece at the point where the curve of the
mouthpiece pulls away from the reed. Cover the
bottom teeth with the fleshy part of the lower lip to
form a cushion. Create pressure around the mouthpiece so that no air escapes from the corners of the
mouthpiece. To maintain good intonation, the pressure should be fairly consistent all the way around
the mouthpiece, similar to a rubber band. The embouchure should remain consistent for the entire
range of the instrument. There should be no radical movement of the jaw to produce any noteavoid
opening up for low notes or squeezing for high notes.
The embouchure is generally consistent, though the
tongue placement changes in playing different registers. Saxophonists should be able to play all
pitches by simply producing a steady air stream and
pressing fingerings.

Saxophonists should maintain a minimum of

four playable reeds at all times. Reeds that are
waterlogged, chipped, cracked, or covered in lipstick
should not be played.
When putting the saxophone away, do not
leave a reed on the mouthpiece. It can easily chip,
become discolored, and develop an unpleasant odor.
Reeds should be stored in a reed guard orat minimumthe plastic covers that come with some
reeds. This will keep them safe until the next use
and they will dry evenly without warping. A reed
guard can be made from a piece of glass, with
rounded sides for safety, with rubber bands to hold
the reeds in place. Reeds should be rotated frequently, allowing them to dry out properly and last
longer; this will cost less in the long run because
fewer reeds will be needed.

VIBRATO
Vibrato, added for warmth and expressiveness,
is a slight and rapid variation in the pitch of a note.
It can greatly enhance the tone, adding a wide variety of colors. It does not have to be used all the
time or at a steady rate. Eventually the saxophon-

Example 2

&

Thirds

&

&

Fourths

Fifths

Octaves

&

Some test intervals for proper mouthpiece/reed setup

Saxophone Basics
ist will recognize notes and phrases where vibrato
is best used. While in marching band, vibrato may
never be needed. In playing big band standards,
one should mimic a vibrato style of the band that
originally played the piece. In concert band, consider adding vibrato as dictated by the style of music. Vibrato can be an invaluable tool for adding life
and emotion to saxophone playing.
When practicing vibrato, use a metronome.
First, pick a scale and play it in whole notes. Next
try to alter the tone of each pitch by dropping the
jaw four times per beat at a metronome marking of
60 beats per minute.
The jaw motion for altering the pitch is similar to chewing bubble gum; however, as one develops the technique, eventually using just the lip, the
dip of the pitch will become less noticeable.
After developing this exercise, work to cause
four alterations per beat, gradually moving the
metronome marking up to 76. This is approximately
300 repetitions per minute. With this facility, one
can effectively alter vibrato to change mood, intensity, and style of a piece.

INTONATION
All saxophones have pitch inconsistencies
that must be identified and compensated for in
order to achieve good intonation. No two saxophones are the same, although some are better
than others. However, various registers of all instruments do have similar tendencies. Typically,
low Bb through low D# are sharp, low E through
middle C# are flat, and middle D through high F
are sharp. Many of the elements discussed in earlier sections (such as mouthpiece, reed, condition
of the instrument, and air support) can greatly
affect the intonation.
The pitch and timbre of some notes can be extremely troublesome. High A can be very sharp,
middle C# extremely flat, and middle D and E can
be somewhat sharp. These notes need to be corrected
with alternate fingerings or by tightening or loosening the embouchure. Ask a band director or private
instructor about correct use of alternate fingerings.
Two rules can guide the tuning of individual pitches:
1) tighten the embouchure to raise the pitch of a note;
2) loosen the embouchure to lower the pitch of a note.
Use caution to avoid disrupting the embouchure so
much that it affects the quality of tone.

SOUND CONCEPT
Realizing how a saxophone is supposed to
sound should be a primary consideration when attempting to tune and blend with others. The saxophone is very versatile and can be played in many
genres. Each style has a unique vocabulary due to
the sound, articulation, and scales used. In order
to properly learn the musical language of each style
one must listen to the music. Fortunately, there are
recordings available of each genre that can enable
a student to progress effectively. The recordings
listed as recommended resources later in this chapter can help the saxophonist learn the sound concepts for various styles of playing.
Classical saxophone playing is rarely heard on
the radio and is often not the sound cultivated in
band; yet, concert bands and marching bands usually require this type of sound. Generally, classical
saxophone playing calls for a thick, round, luscious
sound. Good examples to imitate would be a horn
player, a cellist, or vocalist.
Jazz and rock n roll are easily identified by
listening to popular radio. These commercial styles
call for a brighter, edgier sound. Use different reeds
and mouthpieces (as previously discussed) to help
duplicate these tone concepts.

TECHNIQUE
Developing good technique on the saxophone
will allow one to efficiently learn the notes of a piece
of music. After learning the notes and rhythms, concentrate on good tone and musicianship. To have
good technique one must use correct posture. The
back and neck should be straight, allowing for
proper breathing. The neck strap must be pulled
up far enough so that the mouthpiece comes to the
mouth; do not shift the head to the mouthpiece. The
tenor and baritone saxophones must be held along
the right leg, although the alto saxophone can be
positioned between the legs or to the side. Either
way is acceptable, but the player must be sure not
to lean the instrument against the chair or on the
lap; this can change the placement of the mouthpiece in the mouth. The saxophone is primarily supported by the neck strap and the left and right
thumbs. The right thumb is placed in the thumb
guard so that the hand can gently curve with the
fingertips on the pearls. The right pinky finger is
placed where the Eb and C keys meet so that they
can be used quickly. The left thumb acts as a bal-

The United States Army Field Band

ance to hold your instrument in place. The thumb
should be placed so that it can easily reach the octave key. The rest of the left hand is curved around
the palm keys so that the fingertips touch the pearls.
The left pinky is placed on the G# key so it can be
used quickly. It is important to keep the fingers that
are not being used as close to the keys as possible.
When playing middle C#, where no keys are depressed, all fingertips should be touching the pearls.
Keeping fingers close to the keys eliminates wasted
motion and allows more rapid movement between
notes. Another example occurs when playing a low
G. The three left fingers should be down and the
left pinky should touch the G# key. The fingers of
the right hand should be resting on the pearls.
While in high school the saxophonist should
strive to learn all major, harmonic minor, and chromatic scales over the full length of the instrument
(refer to Example 1 and Scale Supplement). Scales
are part of the language of music. If one knows the
scales, they can be easily identified as music is read.
Almost all music is based on one scale or another.
If one recognizes scales, playing pieces will be easier
and making music will be more fun.
To be effective, technical learning must be slow
and methodical. Slowly teach the fingers what they
need to do. Establishing a good practice routine,
setting short and long term goals, and employing
constructive critical thinking will help one become
a more accomplished saxophonist.

TONGUING
Tonguing refers to the way the saxophonist
articulates particular notes and rhythms. The
tongue can produce light staccato, heavy marcato,
long legato, emphasized accents, and many more
sounds. The more variety of music played, the more
types of articulation encountered. In general, the
saxophonist creates the syllable to be produced with
the tongue before sounding the note. Use the syllables doo, dah, or dee for a lighter tongue,

Saxophone Basics

tah or tee for a heavier tongue. The tip is arched

forward and, as the syllable is produced, the part
of the tongue slightly above its tip contacts the tip
of the reed, momentarily blocks the air, and causes
the note to be rearticulated when released. The air
stream remains steady, without stopping. Problems
with tonguing arise if too much of the surface of
the tongue touches the reed; a slapping, thuddy
sound results. Tonguing should be practiced with
scales (tongue Example 1 scales) and motives (see
Example 3). Often, the hardest part of perfecting a
technical tonguing passage is coordinating the
tongue with the fingers.
The speed of the tongue can be developed by
doing exercises to strengthen the tongue (see Example 4 on page 6).
When doing any exercise for speed, use a metronome to avoid rushing or dragging. Make sure
the articulation is clear and correct every time.
When setting a tempo, determine at what speed a
passage can be cleanly tongued; then slowly increase the speed of the metronome. Practice tonguing in each register of the instrument, as each range
will vary in response time.
Accents are played just like normal notes except that an extra push of air is added to emphasize
the note. Use caution to avoid exploding attacks.

INTERPRETATION
A saxophonist as a musician must realize that
music is more than just notes. Pay attention to tone,
intonation, and the markings on the music. All markings are written for a reason. Dynamics, accents,
crescendos, etc., should be audible to the audience.
Music is comprised of contrast, so emphasize differences. After interpreting the markings, use personal
taste, the conductor, or a private teacher to refine
how the music should be performed. Exaggerate
these markings and refine them in rehearsal, striving for an enjoyable musical performance.

Example 3

# c

&

Using tongue with technical passages employing motives from a G major scale.

Saxophone Basics
Example 4

j

J

& c J

j
j

j j
n

j j

j j

Example 5

#
& c ..
#

&

..

Increasing tongue speed

PLAYING WITH AN ENSEMBLE

The key to playing in an ensemble is listening
to others. In an ensemble:
1) Determine who is playing melody, harmony,
and countermelodies; see where the saxophone part
fits. Listen to things like dynamics, style, phrasing, etc.
2) Know the saxophone part as well as possible, to be flexible in adapting to the group.
3) Remember that playing with others takes
teamwork.

When listening, determine how the saxophone

has been used in the orchestration. For example,
in concert band the saxophones can play as a section. The alto saxophones may be playing with the
horns or blending with the clarinets and flutes. The
tenor saxophones can double the bass clarinets,
bassoons, or euphoniums. The baritone saxophone
might play with tubas, trombones, or low woodwinds. Awareness of the musical environment will
help determine who to listen to and blend with for
good ensemble playing.

The United States Army Field Band

Saxophone Basics

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Method Books
48 Studies .......................................................... Ferling
Selected Studies ................................................. Voxman
24 Etudes Faciles after Samies ........................ Mule
18 Studies after Berbiguer ................................ Mule
The Charlie Parker Omnibook ......................... Atlantic Music Corps
The Universal Method for Saxophone .............. Paul Deville

Solos
Program Solos for Alto Saxophone .................. L. Teal
Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player ................ L. Teal
Concerto in Eb ................................................... A. Glazounov
Chanson et Passepeid ........................................ J. Rueff
Sicilienne ........................................................... P. Lantier
Sonata ................................................................ P. Creston
Introduction and Samba .................................. M. Whitney
Aria .................................................................... J. Ibert
Aria .................................................................... E. Bozza
Introduction et Caprice ..................................... E. Bozza
Solo Album ........................................................ E. Rousseau
Debussy Album .................................................. J. Harle

AATB Quartet
The Pink Panther .............................................. Mancini/Frankenpohl
Missipppi Rag ................................................... Krell/Frankenpohl
10 Saxophone Quartets ..................................... L. Teal
Quartet Repertoire ............................................. Voxman

SATB Quartet
Andante and Scherzo ........................................ E. Bozza
Fantasia ............................................................. Gibbons/Hemke
Three Preludes ................................................... G. Gershwin
Quatour pour Sax .............................................. Jeanjean
Goldrush Suite .................................................. Marshall
Sonata No. 44 .................................................... D. Scarlatti

Reference Books
Saxophone Journal ........................................... (bi-monthly magazine)
contact Woodwind Service listed below
The Art of Saxophone Playing .......................... Larry Teal
Summy-Birchard
Saxophone Soloists and
Their Music, 1844-1985 .................................... Harry Gee, Indiana University Press

Saxophone Basics
Marcel Mule: His Life and the Saxophone ....... Eugene Rousseau
Sax and His Saxophone .................................... Leon Kochnitsky
North American Saxophone Alliance
Teachers Guide to the Saxophone .................... Dr. Fred Hemke, Selmer
The Early History of the Saxophone ................ Frederick Hemke, UMI

Selected Classical Recordings

Soliloquy ............................................................ Dale Underwood
The Contemporary Saxophone .......................... John Sampen
Concertos for Alto Saxophone
and Symphonic Band .................................. Norbert Nozy
Saxophone Colors .............................................. Eugene Rousseau
Duo Vivo ............................................................. Laura Hunter
Marcel Mule Le Patron
of the Saxophone .......................................... Marcel Mule
Hommage Adolphe Sax .................................. Daniel Gauthier
Reminiscence ..................................................... Quatuor Alexander
Chicago Saxophone Quartet ............................. Chicago Saxophone Quartet

Selected Jazz Recordings

Blue Trane ......................................................... John Coltrane
Giant Steps ........................................................ John Coltrane
Go! ...................................................................... Dexter Gordon
The Savoy Recordings ....................................... Charlie Parker
Tune-Up ............................................................. Sonny Stitt
Sonny Rollins .................................................... Sonny Rollins
Nows the Time................................................... Charlie Parker Quartet
Time Out ............................................................ Dave Brubeck Quartet
Kinda Blue ......................................................... Miles Davis

Sources for Music and Equipment

If you cannot obtain the references from a local music supplier, contact:
The Saxophone Shop
2834 Central St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-5711
(847) 328-4455
Woodwind Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 206
Medfield, MA 02052
1-800-527-6647
Eble Music Co.
P.O. Box 2570
Iowa City, IA 52244-2570
(319) 338-0313

The U.S. Army Field Band

Scale Supplement

Scale Supplement
The fifteen major and minor scales make up our musical ABCs. Just as a person wishing to read
learns the alphabet first, a musician cannot expect to master an instrument without first learning the
basic set of scales. By diligently practicing the major scales and all three forms of the minor scales, they
will become automatic, just like reading the alphabet. This will make playing, especially sight reading,
much easier so that the musician can concentrate towards the ultimate goalmaking music!
Each scale below should be played slowly at first, ensuring that each note is played correctly. Gradually work for speed, but do not rush. Use a metronome whenever possible to guarantee evenness and a
steady tempo. The player should practice difficult scales twice as often as easy ones to develop competence
in all keys. As skills increase, change rhythmic patterns and increase tempos. Advanced players can still
use scales to work on intonation, technique, range, and dynamics.
Use the following patterns one at a time or in combination to get even more
benefit from scale practice:
A

&

. . . . . .
. . . .

&

. .

- - - - - - - - -

&
- -

&

&

&

&4

w
w

C Major

A natural minor

&

A harmonic minor

# #

# #

A melodic minor

# # n n

&
# # n n

w

w

S1

Scale Supplement

w
# 4

w
& 4

G Major

E harmonic minor

# #

#
# #
&

E natural minor

# # n n

#
w
# n n
#

&

w

E melodic minor

w
4

w

&b 4

F Major

D harmonic minor

# #

#
#
&b

D natural minor

n # n b

n b

w

& b n #
w

D melodic minor

S2

The U.S. Army Field Band

Scale Supplement

# # 4 w

w
& 4

D Major

B natural minor

# #


&

B melodic minor

&

##

# # n n

# # n n

B harmonic minor

# #

# #

Bb Major

b 4 w
b

& 4
w

G natural minor

&

G harmonic minor

# #

# #

G melodic minor

n # n b
b

w
&

n # n b

S3

Scale Supplement
A Major

### 4
w

&
4





w

F# natural minor

&

###

F# harmonic minor

# #

# #

F# melodic minor

&

###

# # n n

w
# n n
#

w
b

w
& b b 44

Eb Major

C harmonic minor

n n

& b b n n

C natural minor

n b b
n

& b b n n b b ww

C melodic minor

S4

The U.S. Army Field Band

Scale Supplement

# # # # 4 w

w
4
&

E Major

C# harmonic minor

# # # # ## ##

&

C# natural minor

# # # # # # n n w
n n
&
# #

C# melodic minor

Ab Major

b b 4

b
& b 4
w

w
minor n
n
F harmonic

b b n n
b


& b

F natural minor

n n b b w

n
b b
b
w

& b bb n

F melodic minor

S5

Scale Supplement
B Major

#### 4

w
# 4

&

G# natural minor

G# harmonic minor

####

#


&

G# melodic minor

&

####

# n
#

#
# n
w

b
4

&b b b 4

w

Db Major

Bb natural minor

Bb harmonic minor

n n

&b b b

n n

Bb melodic minor

n n b b

b

&b b b
n n b b w

S6

The U.S. Army Field Band

Scale Supplement

#
w

## # # 4

w
# 4
&

F# Major

D# natural minor

D# harmonic minor

# # # # #

#
&

D# melodic minor

#
# # # # # ## # nn w

w
#
&

w

bbb 4

b
b

&
b 4

Gb Major

Eb harmonic minor

n n

b
n n
& b bbbb

Eb natural minor

n n b b

bbb b n n b b
w

b
&
b

w

Eb melodic minor

S7

Scale Supplement
# # # # # 4 w

# # 4
w
&

C# Major

A# natural minor

A# harmonic minor

#### #

#
&

A# melodic minor

# #
#### #

#
# #
&

b 4
& b b b b b 4 ww

Cb Major

Ab natural minor

Ab harmonic minor

n n
bbb

b

&
bb

n n

Ab melodic minor

b b b b n n b b w
b
b b
&
bb
n n
w

S8