Accent on Achievement, Book 1: E-flat Baritone Saxophone Book & Online Audio/Software

Accent on Achievement stands out for its deliberate sequencing and abundant musical context. Rather than isolating technique from repertoire, the method surrounds every skill with full-color engagement, chorales, and band arrangements that let students hear themselves making real music from the first pages onward.

Opening this book feels immediate and musical. You're not wading through abstract exercises; instead, you encounter full-color pages that invite exploration, classics and world music that feel worth learning, and the sensation that your part matters within a larger ensemble sound.

Beginning band students learning E-flat baritone saxophone in concert band settings, typically grades five through eight. This method works equally well in traditional band classes and small group or private lessons where consistent, age-appropriate material is essential.

• Work through the comprehensive review cycles in tandem with your full band; the scaffolded difficulty ensures baritone sax players stay synchronized with the ensemble's progression without falling behind or waiting idle.
• Use the scale exercises and rhythm patterns as warm-up material rather than drills to get through. Anchor each exercise to the stylistic context of a chorale or arrangement you're about to rehearse together.
• Explore the range-building lip slur exercises methodically, especially as Book 3 introduces all 12 major and minor keys. These sequences work best when revisited regularly rather than rushed.

Anchor your band curriculum to Accent on Achievement from the start of the year. The method's integration of rhythm exercises, chorales, and full band arrangements means rehearsals naturally build musicianship and section balance without requiring supplementary materials.

• Reading ledger lines and navigating the E-flat baritone saxophone range
• Counting and executing rhythmic patterns with rests and tied notes
• Sustaining tone through chorale playing and longer melodic phrases
• Understanding major and minor key signatures across all 12 keys (Book 3)
• Expanding range and embouchure flexibility through structured lip slur exercises
• Blending and balancing within ensemble contexts using full band arrangements
• Intonation awareness and adjustment in a section and full band setting