Best Beginning Saxophone Book for Kids
Start with the very first alto saxophone notes and continue into intermediate study in one 100-page book. The first half builds reading, rhythm, tone, articulation and fingering step by step; the second half expands into scales, arpeggios, faster rhythms, chromatic playing, solos, duets and trios.
- No previous saxophone experience required
- Beginning and intermediate material in one book
- Sax-specific fingering and octave-key development
- Free MP3s plus a compatible trumpet companion video
A Beginning Saxophone Book That Continues Into the Next Level
The first half keeps assignments short and approachable. After that foundation is secure, the book moves into a wider range, more scales, faster rhythms, chromatic playing and ensemble repertoire.
A Complete Beginning Alto Saxophone Method
Students begin with B and C, add notes gradually, learn rests and rhythms, and develop familiar songs while reinforcing embouchure, breath support, tonguing, fingering and music reading.
The Intermediate Level Is Already in the Book
After the beginning section, students continue with major and minor scales, arpeggios, sixteenth notes, syncopation, 6/8, triplets, chromatic work, melody-and-harmony parts and trios.
See Inside the Book
These six pages show the progression from the first saxophone notes through instrument-specific technique and into substantially more advanced music. Click any page to enlarge it.
From First Notes to Intermediate Playing
A student can begin with no experience and move naturally into greater range, stronger technique, more independent reading and ensemble performance.
Learn the First Notes
Start with comfortable fingerings, short exercises and simple rhythms.
Build First-Year Skills
Develop reading, articulation, breath support, tone, dynamics and familiar repertoire.
Expand Sax Technique
Alternate fingering, octave-key work, wider range and slurring build instrumental fluency.
Add Scales and Rhythm
Major and minor scales, arpeggios, sixteenth notes, syncopation, 6/8 and triplets broaden technique.
Play More Advanced Music
Chromatic work, melody and harmony parts, duets and trios turn technique into performance skills.
Which Beginning Saxophone Book Is the Better Fit?
The books share a comfortable teaching philosophy. The main differences are the student’s age, visual presentation and how far the book continues.
The Beginning Band Fun Book: Alto Sax
Especially large notation, short assignments and a very gradual elementary presentation make this an excellent first method for younger beginners.
Best Beginning Saxophone Book for Kids
A longer, more compact beginning method with the intermediate level already included when the student is ready to move ahead.
Best Beginning Saxophone can also work well for a returning student who needs review before moving ahead, but it is complete enough to serve as a first method from lesson one.
Choose an Exercise and Play Along
The video below was recorded for trumpet, but it works well for alto saxophone because the beginning exercises follow the same musical sequence. Keep this saxophone book open to the matching exercise and use the saxophone fingerings printed in the book. The trumpet player provides the timing, rhythm and musical model.
Beginning Exercises in Saxophone Book Order
Use the searchable index to jump to the exercise being practiced. The performer in the video is playing trumpet. That is intentional: the beginning material lines up closely enough for saxophone students to play along. Follow the alto-sax fingerings and written notes in your book rather than the trumpet fingerings shown on screen.
Free MP3 Play-AlongsExercise & Song Index
Search by exercise number or title, then click the exercise you want to practice.
Continue Directly Into Intermediate Alto Saxophone
Page 36 announces the move into more intermediate-level material. From there, the book develops wider range, scales, arpeggios, faster rhythms, articulation, chromatic technique and more substantial repertoire.
Later melody-and-harmony pages and a dedicated trio section give students practical ensemble experience without requiring another book.
- Major scales and arpeggios
- Minor scales and technical studies
- Octave-key and range development
- Sixteenth-note technique
- Syncopation and accents
- 6/8 meter and triplets
- Chromatic scale work
- Melody, harmony and trio playing
Best Beginning Band Books for Kids
Matching editions are available for common beginning band instruments, making the series useful for lessons, families and school programs.
Matching Books for Five Band Instruments
Each edition follows the same approachable philosophy while adapting technique and range to the individual instrument.
Why I Wrote This Book
Beginning saxophone students need enough repetition to make new fingerings, embouchure, tonguing and reading feel comfortable—but they also need music that keeps moving forward.
I wanted a method that could start gently, then continue well beyond the first few months without forcing a student to change books just as the playing became more interesting.
That is why this book combines a carefully paced beginning with saxophone-specific fingering work, octave-key development, scales, faster technique, chromatic playing and ensemble music.
Questions About Best Beginning Saxophone Book for Kids
Is this suitable for someone who has never played saxophone?
How is this different from The Beginning Band Fun Book for Alto Sax?
Do I need to use The Beginning Band Fun Book first?
Are free play-along tracks available?
Why does the saxophone page use a trumpet video?
Does the book include saxophone-specific material?
Does the book include intermediate material?
Can this be used in school band and private lessons?
Start at the Beginning. Keep Going Into the Next Level.
A 100-page alto saxophone method with a comfortable beginner presentation, sax-specific technique, intermediate development and free online practice support.