[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 (71–80)
Wish Upon a StarLeigh Harline
It’s the theme song from the Disney film Pinocchio, and it features large interval leaps.
As a saxophone practice piece, it can be performed by players from beginners to advanced.
Because it can be arranged and improvised to suit the performer’s level, this piece is one of the very popular ones.
Beauty and the BeastCéline Dion
It’s one of the greatest masterpieces, written as a theme song for a Disney film.
The duet version by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson was released in 1991 and conveys a message about the power of true love and inner beauty.
The piece tells a timeless love story, depicting two people who draw closer to each other in unexpected ways.
While simply tracing the melody in a relaxed 4/4 rhythm isn’t difficult, many scores with simplified arrangements are available even for beginner saxophonists, so please give it a try.
If you play the long tones in the chorus with a lyrical and emotional touch, it will surely make for a wonderful performance!
HallelujahLeonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen was a legendary singer-songwriter from Canada.
His most famous song, “Hallelujah,” was included on his 1984 album Various Positions and, over time, became a beloved classic around the world.
“Hallelujah” carries a profound message about life’s joys and struggles, as well as faith and redemption, and it has been covered by many artists.
Jeff Buckley’s version, in particular, is highly acclaimed.
For beginner saxophone players attempting this piece, it’s important to focus on breath control and tone to convey the song’s emotion.
Practice slowly and steadily, refer to tutorials on YouTube, and try to perform your own rendition of “Hallelujah.” This song is an excellent practice piece for expressing deep feeling.
Take FivePaul Desmond
“Take Five,” a standard jazz number with enduring popularity.
For beginners, this piece can lead to rushing ahead of the beat, losing the groove, or getting flustered and falling apart midway.
Start by choosing a beginner-friendly score, and focus on firmly placing each note on the rhythm at a slow, steady tempo.
Under the Sea from The Little MermaidAlan Menken
The theme song of the Disney film The Little Mermaid, “Under the Sea.” It’s the piece Haruka Shimazaki of AKB48 performed on the opening day of the Tokyo run of Blast!.
I hear she played saxophone in her middle school brass band.
Try practicing the lively rhythms in this piece.
HEROMariah Carey
This is also a piece that’s often performed at weddings, so I’d love for you to practice it and master it on the saxophone.
It’s a truly grand and uplifting classic, so I want you to play it slowly and with feeling.
If you can pull this one off, it might mean you’ve improved quite a lot.
Open MindMatsunaga Takashi
I composed and performed this piece when I was 18.
It is the theme song for TV Asahi’s news program “Hodo Station.” As a jazz pianist, I came into the spotlight at a young age, and this piece, “Open Mind,” was how many people first came to know the young Takashi Matsunaga.
On the program, it is used in a saxophone performance.