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Saxophone Basics: A Daily Practice Guide: Saxophone Book

$7.95 USD
$7.95 USD
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Saxophone Basics: A Daily Practice Guide Cover Image
Saxophone Basics: A Daily Practice Guide: Saxophone Book

Saxophone Basics: A Daily Practice Guide: Saxophone Book

By David Liebman and Matt Vashlishan

Level: Intermediate

Item: 24-SAX
$7.95
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Description
This handy pocket-sized 3.5" x 5.5" reference manual is a concise all-in-one primer for today's saxophonist and covers everything from how to hold the horn when putting it together, to daily practice routines such as long tones, articulations, expressive devices, and overtones. It also includes some important insight into reeds, mouthpieces and other essential equipment.

"One of the most inspiring musicians and educators of his generation, David Liebman, along with associate Matt Vashlishan, concisely distill a lifetime of information into an easy to use guide no saxophonist should be without. Saxophone Basics is a daily practice guide for saxophonists. This pocket publication provides a lot of essential and important information pertaining to saxophone playing and in particular, practicing. Contents are varied from assembly, posture, breathing, oral cavity, larynx, embouchure, practicing, daily routine, articulation, scales and arpeggios, special tips, expressive devices, maintenance, disassembly, and review of practice schedule. Included is the overtone guide with some outstanding instruction on how to learn / practice in the altissimo register via the overtone system with many exercises. The often neglected long tones are well covered as well. What makes this practice guide so useful is that it fits in the music case or pocket. And yet, it offers lots of information with a 68 page format and priced right along with diagrams and more." ---International Association of Jazz Educators Magazine

"Liebman addresses the bare necessities in this booklet, co-written with Matt Vashlishan. This pocket sized booklet is meant to provide a handy reference guide for your practice program. The authors touch on several important physical aspects of playing (like posture, breathing, embouchure, using the larynyx and even saxophone maintenance). Things become especially interesting when they get into overtone exercises and articulation tips." ---Down Beat Magazine

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Additional Details
Publisher: Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Page Count: 72
ISBN10: 1-56224-107-9
ISBN13: 978-1-56224-107-0
UPC: 635621500907
SKU: 24-SAX

More about this title

About the Author: David Liebman

David Liebman stands among jazz's most influential saxophonists and educators. His career spans five decades of performing at the highest levels, from his work with Elvin Jones and Chick Corea to leading his own ensembles, paired with a commitment to passing on hard-won knowledge to the next generation of musicians.

Liebman's teaching philosophy prioritizes foundational technique married to creative freedom. This guide distills decades of studio experience and classroom instruction into an accessible format, reflecting his belief that even experienced players benefit from returning to fundamentals.

Why we love this

Pocket-sized doesn't mean skimpy here; 72 pages pack genuine depth on topics most students either rush through or skip entirely. The overtone guide alone justifies keeping this on hand, and Liebman's authority on these basics comes from actually using them in performance. Your students will use this because it answers immediate questions without requiring them to hunt through a full method book.

What to expect

Practical and grounded. This reads like advice from a saxophonist who knows exactly what stops you from improving and has decided to be direct about it. No fluff, no mystique, just clear instruction on how your embouchure should feel, how your breathing should work, and what your daily hour should actually contain.

Who it's for

Any saxophonist serious about building a coherent practice routine, from intermediate high school players to working musicians who want to refocus their fundamentals. Jazz students especially benefit, though the technical material applies across styles.

How to get the most out of it

  • Spend time with the assembly and disassembly sections before frustration sets in. Understanding how the saxophone fits together eliminates one major source of stress in your practice room.
  • Build your daily routine directly from this guide rather than guessing at what to practice. The structure is there; follow it consistently for three weeks before modifying.
  • Work the overtone exercises methodically, especially before attempting altissimo passages in repertoire. This isn't a shortcut; it's the foundation that makes everything else possible.
  • Return to the long tone section whenever your sound feels thin or unfocused. Liebman treats this as non-negotiable maintenance, not a warm-up afterthought.

How to use it

Hand this to students starting jazz improvisation units or taking up saxophone for the first time. It also works as a reset tool mid-year when you notice technical problems creeping into your section's playing. Keep a few copies on hand so students can reference specific passages during sectionals without needing a full method book.

Skills your students will build

  • Long tone production and tone quality maintenance
  • Articulation clarity across different styles and speeds
  • Overtone exercises and altissimo register access
  • Embouchure awareness and oral cavity positioning
  • Practice structure and self-directed learning habits
  • Reed and equipment selection and maintenance
  • Scale and arpeggio navigation with musical intent

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