[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 tunes you’ll want to play (31–40)
Careless WhisperWham!
This is a song with a very lovely tenor sax intro.
It’s nostalgic, and Wham! is well-known in Japan, too.
It’s a hidden gem by that artist.
Several people have covered it in Japan, so I think many will recognize it when they hear it.
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.’
LibertangoAstor Piazzolla
In Japan, it was featured in a Suntory Royal commercial performed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, leading many people to mistakenly think it was a cello piece.
The work was composed by the Argentine bandoneon player and composer Ástor Piazzolla, who fused freedom with tango to create it.
The fingerwork is a bit demanding, but it’s a perfect piece for those who are getting bored with scale practice.
CanonJohann Pachelbel
Canon, composed by the German Baroque composer Pachelbel, is one of the pieces that has been included in practice collections for all kinds of wind instruments, including the saxophone.
However, compared to other wind instruments, I think the saxophone is by far the leader in the number of scores that are widely available featuring lots of arrangement and room for improvisation, rather than strictly straightforward notation.
Start by practicing exactly as written in the score, and once you’ve improved and can play it well, definitely enjoy trying various arrangements and challenge yourself with practicing improvised solos!
Dead LeavesJoseph Kosma
Beloved around the world, this piece beautifully depicts autumn scenes and lost love.
It’s a melody almost everyone has heard at least once.
It’s also a great choice for beginner saxophonists.
There are many simplified arrangements published, so give it a try.
Recorded in March 1991 by Stan Getz and Kenny Barron, this work became one of Getz’s final recordings.
The key is to play the refrain with deep feeling.
Highly recommended for those who want to experience a jazz classic or feel the changing seasons through music.
[Saxophone] Recommended practice pieces for sax beginners: Famous songs you’ll want to try playing (41–50)
Silent Night
“Silent Night” was created in Austria in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr.
This song is a heartwarming Christmas carol that celebrates peace in the aftermath of the harsh Napoleonic Wars.
Especially for beginner saxophonists, its slow tempo and long notes make it easy to play, and it suits any type of saxophone, including alto and tenor.
Key tips include practicing by dividing the piece into phrases, and using a jazz waltz-style backing track to add variety and enjoyment to your performance.
By all means, enjoy playing this piece on the saxophone and feel the message of peace and love it conveys.
In the MoodJoe Garland
This song became a hit with the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s 1939 performance and is known as one of the band’s signature tunes.
It’s a piece almost everyone has heard somewhere.
In Japan, it has been used in many commercials, and for many people, it’s the song that comes to mind when they think of big band music.
It’s a jazz classic that saxophonists want to play at least once after they start learning, and it often appears in collections of saxophone practice pieces, making it one of the more approachable jazz tunes for beginners to work on.
It’s especially good for training syncopation, and for the swing feel, listen closely to the original and lock in the rhythm.