Belwin Master Duets (Saxophone), Easy Volume 1: Saxophone Book

This collection gives you 26 pieces in one book, eliminating the hunt for repertoire at the early duet stage. The mix of historical works and original compositions means your students encounter real musical styles (minuets, polkas, marches, blues) rather than generic exercises, and having both parts printed together makes rehearsing with a student far more practical than juggling separate publications.

Fresh and grounded. The pieces move with clear intent whether dancing, marching, or singing; there's an absence of filler that makes even simple writing feel purposeful. The stylistic range keeps the book from feeling repetitive, and the original Snell pieces sit comfortably alongside the historical selections.

Saxophone students in their first or second year of study who are ready to move beyond method book duets. This book also serves teachers who want reliable partner material for lessons without having to play from a separate part or transcribe.

• Balance the parts by having the student listen carefully to the accompaniment part before rehearsing together; this builds awareness of how the two lines interact.
• Start with pieces that share a similar harmonic vocabulary (the folk songs and marches) before moving to pieces with more chromatic movement, so rhythmic coordination develops before intonation challenges pile up.
• Record yourself playing the second part, then have the student practice with the recording to build independence and confidence away from the lesson.
• Let the student choose which part to play first; soloist experience on the lower part often builds musical security before taking the lead.

Build recital repertoire from this book by selecting contrasting pieces: pair a Weber chorus with a folk song, or bracket a Telemann piece with a Snell original. It also works as winter or spring festival material, and many of these pieces qualify under Federation Festivals guidelines, so you can pull prepared selections for competitions without extra prep.

• Balancing two independent melodic lines while maintaining ensemble rhythm
• Reading and performing across the full range of the saxophone (low B-flat through middle F-sharp)
• Recognizing and performing characteristic rhythms of historical dance forms (minuet, rigaudon, polka, waltz)
• Listening actively to an accompanying part and adjusting intonation in response
• Sustaining longer phrases with proper breath management
• Alternating between solo and accompaniment roles within the same piece