[Saxophone] Recommended practice songs for saxophone beginners: Famous tunes you’ll want to try playing
When it comes to star instruments that shine across genres from jazz and classical to pop, the saxophone surely comes to mind.
Whether it’s the tenor sax or the alto sax, many people have been inspired by the sight of someone masterfully playing sax in a band or ensemble and thought, “I want to give it a try too.” Some may first encounter the instrument after joining a school wind band.
In this article, we introduce recommended practice pieces for brand-new saxophonists who are ready to start working on songs, regardless of genre.
These are all famous tunes with plenty of beginner-friendly sheet music available, and if you can perform even a bit of a melody everyone knows, you’re sure to bring down the house with applause! Take a look.
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[Saxophone] Recommended practice pieces for saxophone beginners. Famous songs you’ll want to try playing (61–70)
SonataDavid Maslanka
It’s one of the pieces that everyone learning the saxophone inevitably practices.
It’s a standard practice piece that’s easy for students to play.
I’ve often heard this piece at parades and concerts by groups like the Self-Defense Forces.
By playing it, I think you can develop tone control and skills that help with coordination.
Jingle BellsJames Lord Pierpont
During the Christmas season, this song feels cozy and exciting, and it’s a fun piece.
The sound is straightforward, everyone can sing along, and the melody is easy to understand, making it simple to practice.
If you remember this song, it seems like you can use it in many different situations.
This roadYamada Kōsaku
Yamada Kōsaku’s compositions “Kono Michi” and “Akatombo” are not showy, but their expansive sonorities have a distinctive charm.
If you play them with a well-rounded, full tone, they become pieces well worth listening to.
Practice with an awareness of openness in the middle to high registers.
Over the RainbowHarold Arlen
Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow,” sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, is a classic that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
From a technical standpoint, the main melody naturally lends itself to practicing scale fingerings, and its rich melody and harmony are ideal for developing expressive skills.
Beginning at a slow tempo and gradually increasing the speed also helps improve rhythm and articulation.
“Over the Rainbow” conveys a message of dreams and hope through music, resonating with both performers and listeners.
For beginners, mastering this piece is not only a way to improve performance technique but also a first step toward understanding the deeper essence of music.
Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd
It’s the theme song of the Disney character Mickey Mouse and one of Disney’s signature pieces.
Although this song may seem simple, performing it faithfully to the score is difficult; in 4/4 time, you must play the dotted eighth notes and sixteenth notes precisely, or the performance will end up sounding drawn out.
Paradise Has No BorderToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora
Paradise Has No Border by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, which also drew attention for its collaboration commercial with Sakana-kun.
The latter half of this video really heats up with Sakana-kun’s appearance.
Even if you don’t have a bass sax, it’s fine to just learn the phrases that Sakana-kun plays!
Theme of Super Mario Bros.Koji Kondo
A pioneering piece of video game music, the Super Mario Bros.
theme has a main theme that’s truly very famous—one of those tunes everyone can hum.
It’s a good idea to start by learning the main phrase, and then try out the other parts as well.