Tuned In - Tenor Saxophone: Tenor Saxophone Method Book

Balmages and Herrings built this book from the ground up to solve a real intonation challenge without requiring expensive technology. The combination of key-specific studies, chorale-based work, and free downloadable drones gives you everything you need to run focused intonation sectionals, whether you're in the rehearsal hall or preparing students to use the drones independently at home.

Grounded and methodical. The studies strip away distraction and center the ear on pitch accuracy within harmonic contexts that feel musical, not clinical. Working through these materials builds confidence in any key.

Tenor saxophone players in concert bands who need focused, systematic work on intonation across all keys. This book also serves teachers working with limited technology budgets or those seeking portable, flexible tools for both rehearsal and independent practice.

• Start with the drones in your section rehearsals before full ensemble work. Having each student lock onto the tonal center individually builds confidence and ear training before they blend with peers.
• Use the chorale studies as a bridge between isolated technical work and musical playing. Students hear harmonic context immediately, which reinforces why intonation matters.
• Cycle through the major and minor keys systematically rather than jumping around. This builds familiarity and allows students to track their own progress across the year.

Assign one key's worth of studies per week during rehearsal season, rotating through majors and minors in sequence. This pairs naturally with your regular repertoire and prevents intonation work from feeling like supplemental busywork. Directors can also deploy the drones as a prerequisite tool before sectional rehearsals to maximize rehearsal time.

• Pitch matching and intonation adjustment in all major and minor keys
• Reading and sustaining harmony within chorale contexts
• Independence in ear training through drone-based practice
• Harmonic awareness and functional listening within block chord structures
• Systematic approach to addressing key-specific intonation tendencies