Student Instrumental Course: Alto Saxophone Student, Level I: Saxophone Book

The Belwin series remains a cornerstone of instrumental pedagogy because it treats every instrument equally. Alto saxophone students work through the same carefully sequenced progression as their peers in other sections, building confidence through parallel repertoire that actually plays well together in ensemble settings.

The early exercises feel manageable and immediate. Students produce recognizable musical sound quickly, which builds momentum and keeps them engaged through the foundational work of learning fingerings, breathing, and tone production.

Beginning alto saxophone students in elementary school band programs, whether in full-class instruction or private lesson settings. Teachers and band directors appreciate this book because it provides a self-contained curriculum that doesn't require constant supplementation, though it coordinates seamlessly with other instruments in the series.

• Establish a consistent embouchure from the first exercise by having students mirror your mouth position and feel the reed placement against their lower lip before they blow air.
• Use the recorded accompaniment (sold separately) during early exercises to establish steady tempo and give students an auditory target for intonation.
• Practice long tones at the beginning of each session before moving into the written exercises; this builds air support and helps isolate tone quality from technical demands.
• Have students finger exercises without the instrument first to build muscle memory and prevent frustration when coordinating fingerings with breathing and tone production.

Assign this as the primary method book for beginning saxophone students during their first year of band. Its 40 pages provide enough material for a full school year of instruction, with built-in progression from single notes through simple melodies that players can eventually perform with their section in concert repertoire.

• Single-note tone production and embouchure control
• Fingering coordination for the range B through F#
• Reading in treble clef with rhythmic values from whole notes to eighth notes
• Breath management and air support for sustained playing
• Basic articulation and tonguing techniques
• Playing with steady tempo and rhythmic accuracy