The stages of learning the saxophone

Stage 1: Laying the Foundation
The requirements in this stage are: to be able to master the scales of the fingering of the key, to find out the correct embouchure, to train the breath, and to master the basic method of spitting. The goal is to “blow the sound into a straight line, practicing the fingering to a natural response, and practicing the spitting into a habit.

It can be figuratively broken down into these stages:
1. The process of getting to know the saxophone, the scales, and the fingerings. This stage may last from 1 week to 1 month. The knowledge points involved are: knowledge and mastery of saxophone key positions, fingering in the key (E♭ or B♭), scales, breath, mouth shape, posture, etc.
Requirements: ability to play normal scales in this key (starting from Bass 1, Alto and then Soprano 1).
Problems that may occur: incorrect posture or embouchure, difficulty in playing high and low notes, broken notes, unstable sound, insufficient breath, incorrect intonation, etc.
2. Learn the basics of sheet music and understand the rhythm of the tune. Gradually master and familiarize with the blowing and fingering application of various combinations of notes in this key through simple songs (or practice pieces) scores. Learn the correct way of spitting notes and use it in the blowing process of simple songs (practice pieces). Learn and become proficient in the playing of several high notes (keys) and several low notes (keys) of the saxophone.
At the same time, you should continue to train and learn the contents of 1. This time lasts about half a year or so.
Problems that are likely to occur: poor timing of air changes, poor spitting, etc. Due to your own lack of control of the saxophone, regarding intonation, it is likely that you will suspect problems with your own equipment.
3. Continue with the content of 1,2, at the same time will continue to seek some of their own familiar and favorite simple tunes to practice and play. By this time, you will be able to produce the normal sound of a saxophone, have mastered 1 or 2 common fingerings, and have learned to spit, so your interest in playing the saxophone will increase greatly, and you will seek out different tunes in the hope of trying them out for yourself. Due to the requirements of the tune (original song or accompaniment) or the requirements of playing different tunes with a group, you will learn other fingerings and memorize and familiarize yourself by playing the tune.
4. After practicing more and more tunes and becoming more familiar with them, you will want to play along with the accompaniment, so that the overall feeling of your playing will be more beautiful and beautiful. You will also have the desire to “perform” for everyone. This is the time when you are most interested. We have mentioned about this in our previous articles, such as “Finding more fun by playing along with the accompaniment”, “A few questions for beginners playing along with the accompaniment in Saxophone”, and “Difficulty in playing along with the accompaniment? Try this method” and so on. At this time, when you communicate with others or listen to the works of the “masters”, you will realize that there are still many saxophone techniques that you need to learn on your own, and you will slowly explore these techniques, hoping to improve your saxophone skills, and unconsciously enter into the next stage of learning.

Stage 2: Practice Stage This stage will focus on the learning and application of saxophone skills, such as vibrato, glissando, spitting light or fast training, but also learn to blow weakly, learn to better apply the breath and so on. These saxophone skills play a vital role in enriching the expressive power of the saxophone, these skills are also not overnight, but on the basis of a solid foundation, through the process of playing different styles of tunes in the process of continuous practice, feel and master until the application of the self-efficacy. It takes half a year to a year to master each skill.

Stage 3: The Practicing Stage In this stage, the overall requirements are higher, and you are able to play different styles of saxophone according to the requirements of the piece. Also, you should be able to apply the saxophone skills accurately to the extreme. And the flavor that you show with the saxophone cannot be replaced by any other instrument, otherwise the flavor will not be right. There are many classic examples of this, such as Kenny G's “Going Home” and Dave Koz's “Midnight Sax”. This stage is still a learning stage, not only to consolidate but also to refine all the knowledge and skills, and at the same time to develop the saxophone's unique flavor and skills according to one's own.