SoundStart Bands

Alto Saxophone

The First Three Notes

Alto Saxophone The first note we learn is the note mi Also called B

The second note we learn is the note re Also called A

The third note we learn is the note do Also called G

PLAY Rest PLAY Rest PLAY

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Left Hand 1 Right Hand (Thumb under rest,

fingers off the keys)

Things to try each day: 1. Sit or stand straight but comfortably 2. Curl bottom lip over teeth 3. Form a flat chin 4. Place reed on bottom lip 5. Top teeth on top of mouthpiece 6. Take a slow, full breath 7. Aim for a steady sound 8. Try to hold for 4 or more counts 9. Look in mirror and at the picture 10. Try all three notes check fingering

with the diagrams 11. When youre confident try changing

between notes

Left Hand 1 2 Right Hand (Thumb under rest,

fingers off the keys)

Left Hand 1 2 3 Right Hand (Thumb under rest,

fingers off the keys)

Page 2

Alto Saxophone

(The note mi)Me, Myself, I

Track 5

B

Dot Dot Dash

Track 6

Going Down

(The Note re)

Track 7

A

Dawn raid

Track 8

Home Note

(The note do)

Track 9

G

(up and down)York March

Track 10

Match the Tone

Track 11

solo band solo band solo band solo bandPage 3

Skip or Trip

(using notes me and do)

Track 12

(more practice on the first three notes)Meet Ray Downtown

Track 13

Switch

Track 14

Hot Cross Buns

Track 15

Au Clair de la Lune

(French folk song)

Track 16

Page 4

Notes fa and so

Alto Saxophone The note fa Also called C

The note so - Also called D

Here are all five notes you have learned called a scale do re me fa so

Practice the scale using any one of these four rhythms:

Left Hand 2 Right Hand (Thumb under

rest, fingers off the keys)

Left Hand T 1 2 3 (T = Thumb on octave key) Right Hand 1 2 3

Things to try each day:

1. Aim for a beautiful, clear, steady sound 2. Try to hold for 8 or more counts 3. Try all FIVE notes check fingerings with the

diagrams 4. learn where the notes are on the stave 5. Play up and down the scale many times 6. Make up your own rhythms and tunes using

the five notes 7. Play the pieces in the book using the CD

backing tracks

Page 5

Far and WideIntroducing the note fa

Track 17

We Will Rock You Freddy Mercury

A

B

A

stomp stomp clap

repeat and fade

Bile 'em Cabbage DownStaccato and Legato

Track 18

Page 6

So What?Introducing the note so and dynamics

Track 19

f

p

f

p

(Playing in harmony)

We are all Brothers Beethoven

Track 20

(with apologies to Elvis Presley)

Love me Tender

Track 21

A

(with apologies to Elvis Presley)Love me Tender

B

Page 7

Notes la and ti

Alto Saxophone The note la Also called E

The note ti - Also called F sharp

Here are all seven notes you have learned: ti do re mi fa so la

Left Hand T 1 2 3 (T = Thumb on octave key) Right Hand 1 2

Left Hand 1 2 3 (Thumb on pad) Right Hand 2

Things to try each day: Try to play long notes 8 or more counts Take deep breaths without moving your shoulders Make sure your tongue touches the reed when

tonguing Play tunes along with the CD backings Make up your own tunes Give a performance to your family Listen to some expert saxophone players Go to a concert Buy a saxophone CD Look up learning the saxophone on the internet Look after your saxophone and keep it in a safe

place!

Page 8

Frere JaquesRound and melodic ostinati

B

C D

Ostinato 2

Ostinato 1

Sword DanceDrone ostinato, ABA structureA

melody

f

Fast

B

p

A

f

Page 9

12 bar Blues in FSwing style, call and response, improvisation.

Track 22

Note set 4-beat riff 8-beat riff

When the Saints(Using chords I and V)

P

A cresc.

f

dim.

p

When the Saints(Using chords I and V)

P

B, C cresc.

f

dim.

p

Page 10

Three bonus tunes....

3

3

Page 11

Play long notes on the notes mi (B), re (A) and do (G).

Alto SaxophoneSound Start Practice Sheet 1 (Warm ups)

B

A

G

Repeat 4 times

Play repeated TONGUED notes on mi (B), re (A) and do (G).

B

A

G

Repeat 4 times

1 Finger these exercises silently until they are memorised2 Then play them - use the tongue to start each note.3 When you can do this, play them without using the tongue.

x4

x4

1 Sing these rhythms using doo as shown2 Now play on your instrument - always use the tongue to start each note.

doo-oo

Use track 1doo-oo

doo

doo

doo

doo

doo-oo-oo-oo

doo

doo

doo-oo

x4

Use track 2 x4

Use track 3 x4

Use track 1 x4

Page 12

For each of these tunes:

1 Using a pencil, write in the letter names under each note.2 Say the rhythms using doo 3 Sing using note names and finger the notes silently4 Now play! ( you can use track 4 as a backing track)

2

Page 13

Individual Practice self-evaluation sheet Name____________________________ Date___/____/______

Practicing When I practised this week I found it easy to _____________________________________ When I practised this week I had trouble with ____________________________________

Performing

Title of Piece performed_________________________________

Circle the phrase which describes your performance Notes

All correct Most correct Only a few correct

Rhythm

All correct Most correct Only a few correct

Technique and Posture 1. Sitting up straight or not sitting up straight 2. Taking deep breaths or not taking deep breaths 3. Correct hand position or incorrect hand position Tone (circle any adjectives that describe your sound)

Clear squeaky muddy Closed fuzzy wobbly Controlled centred focussed Pinched steady airy

Page 14

Evaluation materialFor each of these tunes:

1 Using a pencil, write in the letter names under each note.2 Say the rhythms using doo 3 Sing using note names and finger the notes silently4 Now play! ( you can use track 4 as a backing track)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

f

p

f

Page 15

Sound Start Bands Practice Schedule

Date What to practise M T W T F S S Adults Comment

Page 16