A Rhythm a Week for Band: B-flat Tenor Saxophone Book

This book delivers a structured, proven approach to rhythm mastery that players can work through independently or as part of ensemble warm-ups. Witt's focus on isolated rhythmic units removes the complexity of full pieces and lets students zero in on the specific patterns that cause trouble, making it genuinely useful for mixed-ability band sections.

Straightforward and purposeful. Each rhythmic example is stripped of distraction, letting the focus land entirely on execution and accuracy. The progression through 52 units builds confidence as students collect small wins and watch their own patterns click into place.

Tenor saxophone players in concert band settings who need focused work on foundational rhythmic patterns. This book works equally well for students in beginning band through intermediate levels who encounter repeated rhythmic stumbling blocks, and for private lesson teachers targeting specific rhythm gaps in their students' reading.

• Run through one rhythm unit daily as part of your rehearsal warm-up; consistency matters more than speed, and students will internalize patterns faster with regular, short exposures rather than marathon sessions.
• Have the section play each rhythm in unison first, then assign different rhythmic units to different desks so students hear how their part fits against others.
• Use the major and minor scale context to reinforce both rhythmic accuracy and tonal quality; the melodic framework keeps the brain engaged beyond pure rhythm counting.

Assign one unit per rehearsal day or as homework between band meetings, rotating through the book over the course of a school year. The unison context also makes these units perfect for sectional warm-ups with other woodwind or reed players, building ensemble cohesion across different instruments.

• Reading and executing common rhythm patterns in isolation
• Accuracy and consistency in rhythmic notation across varied meters
• Sight-reading fluency for typical band repertoire rhythms
• Sustained pitch control while concentrating on rhythmic precision
• Rhythmic independence in unison ensemble context