[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 Sax Beginners: Famous Songs You’ll Want to Try Playing (21–30)
Lupin the Third Theme / Theme From Lupin III ’78Ōno Yūji
The anime theme “Lupin the Third”—if you can polish it to this level, it becomes an incredibly cool piece.
Songs composed in a jazz style suit the saxophone well.
Since it’s a familiar tune, let’s start by practicing the main theme melody.
There are probably many versions of sheet music, but first aim to play the simple melody.
For the ad-lib sections, you’ll need knowledge of chords and improvisation.
At first, listen carefully and try to imitate by ear—you probably won’t be able to play it the same way right away and it’ll be tough, but it’d be great if you can manage even just one phrase! As you listen to various ad-libs and learn to copy them, you’ll want to improve even more, and you’ll keep increasing the number of phrases you can play fluently.
Love is overŌyō Fifi
This is a song by Fei-Fei Ouyang, a singer from Taiwan.
When you see someone playing a vocal tune stylishly, or watch performance videos, it makes you want to play it yourself, right? You’re probably no exception if you’re reading this.
Ballads pair very well with the saxophone—they feel great both to listen to and to play! For songs with vocals, it’s important to listen carefully to the original singing.
When you play it on an instrument, the lyrics disappear, so make sure to closely imitate the lyrics’ intonation.
The rhythm can also differ between the first and second verse; since the number of words changes, the number of notes changes too, so it’s good if you clearly differentiate verse 1 and verse 2.
It might not always come across when you perform it instrumentally, but it’s important to play with conviction so it doesn’t become a monotonous repeat.
EnglishmanSting
This is Sting’s “Englishman” with a soprano saxophone playing the obbligato.
Jazz often brings to mind alto or tenor sax, but pop-tinged, jazz-flavored tunes played on soprano sax like this are really great too.
By the way, where can you get sheet music for songs like this? It’s something we all wonder about.
It’s common to get inspired by an instrument and pick one up, only to find there’s no sheet music available.
If you’ve got a good ear, try transcribing by ear; otherwise, work with someone who can arrange and notate it for you.
Often only the lead melody is published, so for the saxophone solo sections, do your best to tackle them by ear.
At first you might not be able to identify any of the notes, but the thrill when you finally figure them out and can play them isn’t something everyone gets to experience.
A lot of jazz charts are learned by ear anyway, so listen repeatedly with patience and pick out the notes.
And once you can really play it, you’ll have something to brag about!
Left AloneMal Waldron
I think many people started playing the saxophone because they were moved by saxophone solos in jazz or wind ensemble pieces.
This tune also features a saxophone solo, and I’m sure some people heard it and longed to play it themselves.
It’s a track from a memorial album that Mal Waldron—who became known as Billie Holiday’s pianist—dedicated after Holiday’s death.
The alto saxophone is played by Jackie McLean, and because it’s a memorial album, the music is filled with deep sorrow.
Each phrase conveys loneliness and a lingering sense of solitude.
A sobbing, weeping style of playing suits it best.
In classical music, there are Requiems; this is truly a jazz Requiem.
Rather than aiming for a cool, gritty image, express the grief of someone you loved no longer being there.
Hey JudeThe Beatles
Known as one of The Beatles’ signature songs, this piece was written as a message of support to John Lennon’s son, Julian.
Composed by Paul McCartney, it was first released as a single by Apple Records in August 1968.
Its lyrics are notable for their strong message of encouraging those in sorrow and giving them the courage to move forward.
Despite running over seven minutes, it became a massive hit, holding the number-one spot on the charts in both the UK and the US for an extended period.
For beginner saxophonists, its relaxed tempo makes it easy to play and ideal for practicing phrases that rise from flat notes.
Give it your all and play it from the heart.
PythagoraSwitch Opening ThemeKurikōdā Karutetto Kurihara Masaki
This is the opening theme of NHK’s educational program “PythagoraSwitch.” The charming recorder melody by the Kuricorder Quartet leaves a strong impression.
When you don’t know much about music, it’s surprising to realize that an elementary school recorder can do this kind of movement, and that BGM from games can be performed live.
You might be amazed that “PythagoraSwitch” can be played on saxophone, but of course it’s possible if you have the sheet music.
If you can, it’s also fun to try multi-tracking.
It’s a short piece—only 30 seconds—but make sure the dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth “ta-ta, ta-ta, ta-ta” rhythm doesn’t fall apart each time you play.
Keep tempo and rhythm precise so it doesn’t speed up or slow down, and so you don’t tire and drag in the second half.
It’s a fun tune, so play it with joy.
It really makes you want to say, “PythagoraSwitch!”
Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo
Detective Conan, a Japanese anime that is still on the air, has many fans.
Its main theme is an indispensable anisong so closely associated with the saxophone that it’s always mentioned, and it’s a piece every sax player wants to play coolly at least once.
Katsuo Ōno, who performs this piece, has provided many songs for Kenji Sawada and also played in his backing band, releasing numerous hits in Japan.
Let’s aim to play it with enough style that you can almost hear Conan’s famous line, “There’s only one truth!”