Saxophone Method & Instruction Books

It's no wonder why so many aspiring musicians want to learn how to play the saxophone. From the breakneck, complex arrangements made famous by Charlie Parker to the cool tenor sounds crafted by John Coltrane, a great deal of extraordinary music has been composed on the instrument over the last 175 years. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of saxophone method and instruction books to get you started. In fact, Hal Leonard, Alfred, Berklee Press and countless other publishing companies are favored by music educators around the world for their challenging yet easy-to-follow saxophone method and instruction books.

To speed up your decision for the right saxophone method and instruction books, it helps to consider the sax type you play. For example, the alto saxophone is commonly found in concert bands and its smaller size and ease of play (it's in the key of Eb) make it perfect for younger students. For this reason alone, there are plenty of method and instruction books for the alto sax, including the Hal Leonard Essential Elements for Band - Eb Alto Saxophone (Book1 for EEi). Featuring familiar songs and useful exercises that are created and arranged for a classroom setting, this top-selling book boasts a wealth of materials to kick off an alto saxophonist's musical journey.

For older students, the tenor saxophone is a great choice to start with. In the key of Bb, the tenor is slightly larger than the alto and is often used in jazz bands. If the tenor is your horn of choice, then check out the KJOS Standard of Excellence Book 2 Tenor Sax. In this method book you'll study theory and music history, train your ear, compose and improvise through an exciting and engaging book that has proven to be popular with tenor saxophone teachers around the world.

And your choices go far beyond the two mentioned. Alfred even has books for playing instrumental solos of pop and rock songs, easy Christmas instrumental solos and even a Star Wars Trilogy for Alto Sax book. Whether you prefer to go the tenor jazz route or the alto classical, there's bound to be at least one saxophone method or instruction book for you in this selection that matches your tastes and aspirations.