Stand Alone for Saxophone: Saxophone Book & CD

Ten genre snapshots spanning pop, rock, blues, R&B, funk, Latin, and jazz. Each one invites you to find your voice over a complete rhythm section, balancing the structure of a given melody theme with the freedom to explore harmonic possibilities.

Saxophonists working independently or in private lessons who want to develop improvisation and solo skills across multiple styles. The book serves E-flat alto and B-flat tenor players equally, and also covers soprano and B-flat instruments in the Eb and Bb families.

• Start with the provided scale and arpeggio exercises before attempting each playalong. They directly target the harmonic content of the tracks you'll play over.
• Listen to the form sketch carefully during the first pass of each track. Know where the solo section begins and how long you have before the melody returns.
• Use the CD to hear reference improvisations, then loop your own attempts. Repetition over the same accompaniment builds confidence and encourages longer, more musical lines.
• Record yourself soloing over the playalongs. Playing back your own takes reveals phrasing patterns, range choices, and rhythmic consistency you might miss in the moment.

Assign these playalongs as part of a jazz improvisation unit or as supplementary material for students preparing jazz recital repertoire. The variety of styles makes it useful for departmental programs exploring American musical genres alongside classical concert repertoire.

• Improvisation over chord changes in multiple styles (pop, rock, blues, R&B, funk, Latin, jazz)
• Reading melody themes and form sketches
• Scale and arpeggio application to harmonic contexts
• Solo phrasing and rhythmic placement over a rhythm section
• Listening and ear training through playalong interaction