Measures of Success B-flat Tenor Saxophone Book 2: Tenor Saxophone Method Book

The Measures of Success series doesn't treat saxophone players as secondary voices in a band method. This book gives tenor sax the responsibility and range to explore genuine melodic content while building the specific technical demands of the instrument. The integration of conceptual learning with performance keeps students engaged because they understand not just how to play, but why the music is structured the way it is.

The book balances focused technical work with short, rewarding musical moments. You'll find yourself moving from isolated fingering exercises into actual melodies quickly enough to stay motivated, with enough repetition built in so that difficult passages don't feel rushed.

This method is designed for first-year tenor saxophone students working through a structured band program. It works equally well in private lesson settings where a teacher can reinforce the conceptual connections the book makes explicit.

• Work through the exercises in the order presented rather than jumping ahead. Each one builds on previous patterns, so skipping steps often creates gaps in finger coordination that show up later.
• Record yourself playing the exercises and listen back. You'll hear intonation issues and rhythmic unevenness that feel fine in the moment but stand out on playback.
• Practice the scales and technical passages slowly enough that you can think about hand position and embouchure simultaneously. Speed follows clarity, not the other way around.
• Use a mirror when learning new fingerings to monitor your hand shape. Habits form quickly in the first few weeks, and bad ones are hard to break.

Use this as your primary tenor sax method throughout the first year of instruction. The book's structure allows you to move at your own pace without pressure to keep up with faster learners, while the conceptual reinforcement means students understand the reasoning behind every exercise they complete.

• Fundamental embouchure formation and breath control
• Single-tongue articulation with consistent tone production
• Finger dexterity across the first register and into the altissimo range
• Reading rhythm patterns in simple and compound meters
• Understanding of major and minor scales in commonly taught keys
• Integration of listening skills with notated music on the page