[Saxophone] Recommended practice songs for saxophone beginners: Famous tunes you’ll want to try playing

Tanjiro Kamado’s SongNEW!Shiina Go

Kamado Tanjiro no Uta (Alto Saxophone Solo Sheet Music)

“Kamado Tanjiro no Uta,” a memorable song from the soundtrack of the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which continues to be a massive hit based on the original manga.

Many beginners who started saxophone because they love anime and games dream of playing it someday.

These days, game and anime tracks are often performed live, and many people want to play music from iconic scenes.

Although the tempo is slow and it’s in a minor key with a somewhat dark tone, the chorus brightens as if filled with hope.

There aren’t any particularly difficult passages, so it’s a good idea to practice long tones in parallel and work on producing a tone that suits each scene.

Since it’s originally a vocal piece, holding a clear image of the singing and practicing expressive dynamics makes it a highly recommended song.

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Beauty and the BeastAlan Menken

Beauty and the Beast (Alto Saxophone Solo) WMS-13-004

Play the famous song from Disney’s feature-length animated film “Beauty and the Beast” on saxophone.

This piece requires a well-balanced range from low to high notes.

Since it begins in the low register, articulation can be challenging; you must pay attention to the attack, not just blow plenty of air.

Because the piece contains many sustained notes, it’s also excellent for practicing long tones.

With its sweet, love-filled character, this song suits the saxophone perfectly—be sure to make it one of your repertoire pieces.

EverythingMISIA

MISIA – Everything （Official HD Music Video）

A masterpiece by MISIA that boasts the highest sales among singles by female artists in the 2000s on the Oricon charts.

Especially among women who have started playing the saxophone, many probably dream of playing the sax the way MISIA sings.

Beginning with elegant strings, this song became the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Yamato Nadeshiko” and was a huge hit.

Start by playing softly, and when the chorus builds, aim not to blow harder but to ease off and pull back—play with that sensation.

There are many flats, but it’s the key necessary to capture the song’s mood, so mark them and be careful not to miss any flats.

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Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (Alto Saxophone Performance / Sheet Music) Amazing Grace (Alto Saxophone Cover / Sheet Music) (p:sat)

Amazing Grace is a hymn of unknown composition, renowned throughout history for expressing profound spiritual transformation and gratitude to God.

Through the life of its lyricist, Pastor John Newton—marked by hardship and his conversion from involvement in the slave trade—it conveys a message of salvation from sin and hope.

For beginner saxophonists, Amazing Grace is an ideal piece for learning foundational techniques.

It helps solidify basic knowledge from reed selection and embouchure to fundamental posture, and its simple melody allows players to practice core performance skills while also pursuing rich emotional expression.

Its beautifully plaintive melody offers a moving experience for both performers and listeners alike.

Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach

Bach “Air on the G String”

For those who admire jazz or have just joined a concert band, you might not associate the saxophone with classical music, but the saxophone is also an instrument that shines in the classical world.

If you feel classical pieces are difficult right away, I recommend Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air on the G String,” from the Orchestral Suite No.

3 in D major, BWV 1068.

It’s a famous piece with a slow tempo, and it doesn’t have difficult phrases or flashy techniques, so even beginners can perform it with some practice.

In classical music, tone color, expression, and dynamics are emphasized, so play while working on long tones and exploring a beautiful sound.

Imagining yourself playing in a church may help you capture the right atmosphere.

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Stand By Me STAND BY MEBen E. King

Ben E. King – Stand by Me | Sax Cover | Alexandra Ilieva | Thomann

This is a song by Benjamin Earl King, a singer-songwriter from the United States.

The choice of this song is quite sophisticated! There aren’t many notes, so you should be able to play it soon, but it takes ingenuity to capture the vibe.

There’s a difference between a note that doesn’t speak because the reed hasn’t started vibrating yet and a note that has character, so listen carefully to the vocals and imitate them.

You’ll need the sensibility to reproduce nuances that aren’t written in the sheet music by listening to the sounds, so keep listening repeatedly to build the atmosphere.

The groove of the bass in the intro is closely tied to the groove of the melody as well.

Lock into the rhythm and let it build up little by little.

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The Pink PantherHenry Mancini

Pink Panther – Alto Sax with Accompaniment

Henry Mancini was born in 1924 and enjoyed a brilliant career in the music world.

In particular, the theme for The Pink Panther, composed for the 1963 film of the same name, is loved around the world.

For beginning saxophonists, its smooth melody and rhythm are approachable yet rewarding to tackle.

Tenor sax players especially can learn the essence of jazz through this piece.

When practicing, it’s important to break the phrases into smaller parts and work through them carefully.

The sophisticated style and humor woven into the theme convey Mancini’s affection for the Pink Panther character.

It’s a piece that can be enjoyed not only by novice sax players but by all music lovers.