Tuned In - Baritone Saxophone: Baritone Saxophone Method Book

This method strips away the expense and complexity of intonation training while keeping the rigor intact. The inclusion of free downloadable drones makes consistent daily work possible whether you're in a well-funded program or managing with limited resources. Balmages and Herrings designed this specifically for the working director's reality: band students need systematic key-by-key study, and teachers need tools that actually fit into rehearsal time.

Focused and purposeful. The progression through every major and minor key creates a disciplined routine that gradually builds confidence as the studies become familiar. The chorales offer a shift in texture that breaks up technical work while reinforcing the same pitch accuracy.

Baritone saxophonists in school bands who need systematic work on intonation across all keys. Directors building an intonation program without access to expensive software or seeking portable alternatives for rehearsal and student practice at home.

• Start with the drones before the studies begin. Give students 30 seconds of pure pitch reference so their ears calibrate before attempting any passage.
• Work through one key's studies per week rather than jumping around. The progression builds muscular and aural memory when approached sequentially.
• Use the chorales as listening exercises first. Have students close their eyes and track the block chord movement before asking them to play, building harmonic awareness alongside intonation.
• Pair individual key studies with section rehearsals. The baritone sax line often anchors the low woodwind tuning center, so isolation work pays immediate dividends in full ensemble.

Assign one key study per week as a standing warm-up activity, rotating through the book over a semester or year. The chorales work beautifully as sectional focus material when your baritone saxes need independent listening and blend work before joining full ensemble rehearsals.

• Intonation control across all major and minor keys
• Harmonic awareness through block chord progressions
• Listening precision with tonal reference
• Consistent embouchure response across different harmonic contexts
• Self-correction habits when comparing individual pitch to drone references