Play Ballads for Alto Saxophone: Alto Saxophone & Piano Book

Kember understands what intermediate saxophonists actually want to play. Pairing recognizable pop standards with original ballads creates a collection that feels both relevant and rewarding, without sacrificing musicality. Your students get the confidence boost of performing songs they already know, plus the musical depth that keeps rehearsals interesting for you.

Lyrical and reflective. Each ballad invites you to sing through the horn, with space for genuine expression. The writing sits comfortably in the staff, leaving room to focus on tone production and phrasing rather than wrestling with range.

Intermediate alto saxophonists ready to move beyond method book exercises into real ballad literature. This collection works equally well for students preparing solo recital repertoire and for musicians joining chamber or jazz combo settings.

• Find the breath points with your pianist before the first full run-through. Ballads expose every hesitation, so knowing where air happens makes the phrasing seamless.
• Shape the dynamics over complete phrases rather than pushing into individual notes. Let the piano part guide your release points and follow its harmonic turns.
• Separate your vibrato control from your technique work. Some passages need it to bloom; others need restraint. Mark your score clearly so you stay consistent across performances.
• Record a single take with your pianist at least once during rehearsals. Hearing yourself back reveals where the melodic line gets rushed or where space gets lost.

Schedule these as feature performances in your spring or end-of-year concerts when audiences want to hear sophisticated musicianship without chamber or full ensemble complexity. You can also use individual pieces as encores, or assemble them into a short recital set featuring multiple students.

• Sustained ballad phrasing over multi-measure phrases
• Dynamic shaping and control across a narrower range
• Vibrato application and modulation in lyrical passages
• Collaboration and ensemble listening with piano accompaniment
• Stylistic interpretation of popular and original melodies
• Music reading in various harmonic contexts