I Got Rhythm for Tenor Saxophone: Tenor Saxophone Book & CD

Warm, conversational, and utterly grounded in the golden age of American songwriting. These ten standards carry the fingerprints of Gershwin's melodic brilliance, Porter's harmonic sophistication, and Ellington's swagger. Playing along with a live rhythm section pulls you into genuine jazz phrasing and swing feel.

Intermediate tenor saxophonists (Grades 4-6) who are ready to work beyond concert band and classical solos but need scaffolding to navigate jazz language. This book serves players who want to explore improvisation with real guidance and hear themselves alongside a professional-sounding ensemble.

• Balance the melody line over the recorded trio. The piano, bass, and drums establish the groove, so your job is to sing through the changes with clear articulation and attention to phrase shape.
• Study the suggested solo phrases first, then experiment with variations. Swap notes, shift rhythms, and test your own ideas once you've internalized the notated examples.
• Listen to the recordings multiple times before playing along. Hearing the harmonic movement and the rhythm section's interpretation will anchor your phrasing and timing.

Feature a selection of these tunes in a jazz recital, pops concert, or end-of-year showcase. Students can perform the melody with accompaniment first, then return for a second tune featuring their own improvisation built on the notated phrases. This progression from melody to guided improvisation makes for compelling, accessible programming.

• Reading melody, lyrics, and chord symbols in jazz contexts
• Interpreting swing articulation and phrasing
• Improvising over standard jazz changes with scaffolded solo phrases
• Playing in time with a rhythm section and syncing with recorded accompaniment
• Understanding the harmonic foundation of classic American standards