The Really Easy Sax Book: Alto Saxophone & Piano Book

Fresh and unpretentious. Davies and Harris write with real musicality despite the simple saxophone lines; these feel like real pieces you're playing, not exercises in disguise. The piano parts add color and personality that makes even a four-note melody feel complete.

Absolute beginners on alto sax who've mastered basic fingerings and breath control. This works equally well in private lesson settings, small group classes, or as supplementary material for a band program student.

• Lean on the piano part for musical shape. Since your sax line is deliberately simple, the accompaniment carries much of the expression; listen closely to how your pianist voices each phrase and match that energy.
• Prepare accompanists early and run through pieces together during your first week. These aren't afterthoughts; the piano writing makes or breaks whether the music feels substantial or skeletal.
• Don't rush the earlier pieces just because they're easier. Use them to drill tone production and secure intonation before moving forward; a solid foundation now prevents bad habits later.

Assign this to any new sax player in your band program who needs solo repertoire or wants to develop confidence away from ensemble playing. The pieces also work well for informal recitals or sectional warm-ups when students can play through fresh material and hear tangible improvement week to week.

• Secure note reading in treble clef across the lower to middle register
• Tone control and breath phrasing with simple, song-like melodies
• Following a written accompaniment and listening to harmonic context
• Reading basic rhythmic patterns and time signatures
• Playing with consistent intonation across sustained single notes and scalar passages