[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 (41–50)
you would be so nice to comehome to.Art Pepper
Let me introduce a jazz number where the saxophone really shines: “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” by American jazz saxophonist Art Pepper.
You’re probably just starting out and still finding your bearings with the instrument, but with tunes like this there often isn’t a written score—you’ll need to challenge yourself to learn it by ear and play along.
Jazz prioritizes feel over sheet music, so study chord progressions while also digging into books on improvisation.
Don’t stick to just one version or one player; listen to multiple recordings and immerse yourself in the jazz vibe.
That said, there are some patterns to it.
Take your time picking out the notes—being able to play even a single bar is a great start.
It’s okay to make mistakes; if you keep playing boldly and stick with it, after a year you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come!
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.
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.
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.
I’m in love with your eyes.Bob Gaudio
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is one of those songs that has been loved for a very long time in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
It suits saxophone solo performances and there are many moving, listener-focused arrangements, but above all it’s a beautiful, familiar tune.
So first, try finishing it in a straightforward way, and then enjoy experimenting with various arrangements from there.
The fact that you can enjoy many different arrangements—and keep using it as a practice piece for a long time—is also part of its charm.
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.
Take FivePaul Desmond
It’s a very famous piece in 5/4 time, and one many people have heard somewhere.
Some have even been inspired to start playing the saxophone after listening to it.
However, this irregular meter is quite difficult—it alternates between something like 3/4 and 2/4.
That said, it’s also what makes the piece feel so pleasing.
Make sure to really feel the beat.