[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)
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.
Entertainer The EntertainerScott Joplin
“The Entertainer” is a piece by Scott Joplin, an African American composer and pianist from the United States.
Known as the King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin is celebrated for this cheerful masterpiece that embodies ragtime elements.
It’s a popular work frequently performed by tenor and alto saxophone ensembles as well as brass bands.
For those who aren’t quite ready to tackle large-scale pieces, this lively number is highly recommended—it’s great fun to play and lifts the spirits.
It’s an excellent choice for enjoying performance while learning the basics of jazz.
[Saxophone] Recommended practice pieces for sax beginners: Famous tunes you’ll want to play (31–40)
Memory from the musical CatsAndrew Lloyd Webber
“Memory” from the musical Cats is also a piece that shines in a solo saxophone performance.
The saxophone’s tone is particularly well-suited to dusk and sunsets, but it’s essential to practice regularly with an awareness of ‘resonating the horn.’
A Whole New World, from the movie AladdinAlan Menken
This song is from the movie Aladdin, and in performance it’s characterized by the slightly difficult high B-flat.
I think playing it with a tenor sax could be interesting, but matching pitch will make it a challenging performance, so why not practice it solo first? Try to play while envisioning a cool performance like jazz player Kenny G.
Rhapsodic FantasiaBernhard Heiden
Bernhard Heiden’s works are characterized by a fantastical, fairy-tale atmosphere.
This piece is one that’s filled with that same charm, and it could be called perfect music for a nighttime date.
It’s also known as a piece that’s approachable for beginning saxophonists, and it’s loved by many as a standard practice piece.
The melody line is beautiful, and many scores arranged for beginners have been published, so it’s easy to tackle even if you’ve just started the saxophone.
By all means, try playing it with feeling—your sound is sure to ring out beautifully.
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Yuki-daruma TsukurouTony Awards
From Disney’s 2013 global favorite Frozen comes the heartwarming song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”—also known in Japanese as “Yukidaruma Tsukurō.” While portraying the bond between sisters Anna and Elsa, the song expresses loneliness, isolation, and a longing for love.
Recommended for beginner saxophonists, its melody calls for a gentle airstream and emotional tension, helping players develop solid breath control and a good sense of rhythm.
It is also well-suited for cultivating a wide range of expression, and performing it will leave a deep impression on listeners.
Truly an ideal first step for an emotionally rich performance in front of family and friends.
Tufted puffinHakasé Tarō
Let’s try playing Taro Hakase’s famous violin piece Etupirka on the saxophone.
Although it’s originally written for violin, the melody is very simple, the range isn’t wide, and it’s easy to play.
The original key is D major with two sharps, so transposing for saxophone adds more accidentals, but if you calmly take it note by note, you’ll be able to play it in no time.
“Etupirka” means “beautiful beak” and is the name of a seabird found in the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, and other regions.
It’s the ending theme of the documentary program Jounetsu Tairiku, and it’s a very moving piece, so play it with feeling.