learning the saxophone

Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Vol. 1

saxophone lessons

Jazz Etudes for Saxophone, Vol. 1

B Flat Saxophones Edition (PDF Download)

Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Vol. 1 is the first in a series of eBooks written to help the saxophone student learn to how to improvise.

Please note, as most of my website’s visitors are now not UK based, I’m now processing payments in US Dollars for their ease of purchase.

“The book is really good. So much material in each and every one of the études.” 

Alistair Parnell, iSax Academy

If you are an intermediate or advanced level saxophonist, but when it comes to jazz and improvisation you don’t know what to play, then this series of jazz etudes is specifically written for you.

Scroll images for example pages from the book.

Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Vol. 1 (B Flat Saxophones Edition)
Contents Page Sample
Introduction Sample
Sample from "Start with the Tones" Jazz Etude.
Sample from "Strange Fascination" Jazz Etude
Sample from "Ain't So Easy" Jazz Etude.
Sample from "Blues for You (and Me Too!)" Jazz Etude.

Authentic Jazz Etudes

In the book, you’ll find 12 jazz etudes based upon the chord progressions to famous jazz standards and the blues. All in common keys for the saxophonist, so they’ll fit “neatly under the fingers.” No dubious transpositions to be found here!

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Which Saxophone Is Best For Me?

general, online lessons, Uncategorized
Nathan performing on his Selmer MKVI Alto Saxophone

Are you new to the sax? Unsure of which saxophone you should be learning on? I’m here to help…

The short answer is I always recommend that people start learning on an Alto Saxophone.

“Why?” you might ask…

So, as you might have gathered I’ve been teaching for quite a few years now and during that time I have literally taught hundreds of saxophone students. I’ve taught complete beginners (both adults and children) right the way through to advanced level students studying for their performance based degrees at the London College of Music.

I’ve seen how a lot of people handle and can cope with the various types of saxophone at different stages of their advancement and have drawn some conclusions.

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An Introduction to the Saxophone Quartet

general, Uncategorized
Nathan Hassall's Java Saxophone Quartet performing at a garden party in north London, in May 2018.
The Java Saxophone Quartet, performing in 2018

Ensemble playing of any nature is one of the great joys of music making. There is something uniquely special about working as a collective whole to create something of beauty (or, something that swings your socks off!) in the concert environment, or just for fun!

The saxophone quartet is arguably the most similar ensemble to that of a string quartet, with it’s blendable combination of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. However, it is an ensemble that is often wrongly overlooked by classical music composers and enthusiasts.

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5 Top Tips for Beginner Saxophonists

general, online lessons, saxophone lessons
The Yamaha YAS-280 – arguably the best beginner level saxophone available to buy!!

There is an absolutely crazy amount of content on the internet with saxophone lessons aimed at beginners, but from a lot of the videos I’ve seen they either get the basics wrong or they don’t explain things particularly well. I thought I’d therefore do a post providing some useful tips aimed at beginner saxophonists. That way you can get off to the best of starts!!

Here are 5 top tips for beginner saxophonists everywhere: –

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