[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.
Playlist
| [Saxophone] Recommended practice songs for saxophone beginners: Famous tunes you’ll want to try playing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Carrying YouHisaishi Joe | play_arrow | The Laputa theme song is suitable for beginners. |
| 2east | Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra | play_arrow | Eva's ending theme 'Fly Me' |
| 3east | Aino Katachi feat. HIDEGReeeeN | play_arrow | Practice methods for songs for beginner saxophone players |
| 4east | YesterdayPaul McCartney | play_arrow | A performance guide to famous pieces for beginner instrumentalists |
| 5east | You Raise Me UpRolf Løvland | play_arrow | Saxophone practice piece of You Raise Me Up |
| 6east | Overturesugiyama kouichi | play_arrow | The Dragon Quest Overture is ideal for live/acoustic instrument performance. |
| 7east | A Cruel Angel’s ThesisSatou Hidetoshi | play_arrow | How to play the Evangelion theme song on the saxophone |
| 8east | Please give me wingsMurai Kunihiko | play_arrow | Perfect for practice, please give me wings |
| 9east | Look up at the stars in the nightizumi taku | play_arrow | How to Choose Practice Pieces for Saxophone Beginners and Tips for Improving |
| 10east | The Do-Re-Mi SongRichard Rodgers | play_arrow | Do-Re-Mi Song is a practice piece for beginners. |
| 11east | My favoriteRichard Rodgers | play_arrow | "My Favorite Things" is a waltz in three-quarter time |
| 12east | Green SleevesInguranndo min’yō | play_arrow | Let's master the 6/8 time of Greensleeves |
| 13east | strollHisaishi Joe | play_arrow | How to play Totoro’s theme song, “Sanpo” |
| 14east | My Neighbor TotoroHisaishi Joe | play_arrow | The theme song of Totoro is a well-known, easy-to-sing classic. |
| 15east | Tanjiro Kamado’s SongShiina Go | play_arrow | Explain the songs featured in Demon Slayer for beginners |
| 16east | Beauty and the BeastAlan Menken | play_arrow | Beauty and the Beast: The Allure of Saxophone Performance |
| 17east | EverythingMISIA | play_arrow | Tips for playing saxophone on MISIA’s famous songs |
| 18east | Amazing Grace | play_arrow | The hymn Amazing Grace. A message of salvation and hope. |
| 19east | Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach | play_arrow | Performing a famous piece by Bach on the saxophone |
| 20east | Stand By Me STAND BY MEBen E. King | play_arrow | Performance advice for songs by American singers |
| 21east | The Pink PantherHenry Mancini | play_arrow | Mancini’s Pink Panther Theme is popular. |
| 22east | Lupin the Third Theme / Theme From Lupin III ’78Ōno Yūji | play_arrow | How to practice playing Lupin the Third on the saxophone |
| 23east | Love is overŌyō Fifi | play_arrow | The charm of saxophone performances in songs by Taiwanese singers |
| 24east | PythagoraSwitch Opening ThemeKurikōdā Karutetto Kurihara Masaki | play_arrow | An Enchanting “PythagoraSwitch” with Recorder Performance |
| 25east | EnglishmanSting | play_arrow | The Allure of the Saxophone in Sting’s “Englishman” |
| 26east | Hey JudeThe Beatles | play_arrow | A classic Beatles song known for its encouraging lyrics |
| 27east | The Splendor of YouthCarpenters | play_arrow | Carpenters classics, standard saxophone pieces for beginners |
| 28east | Treasure IslandT-SQUARE | play_arrow | Takarajima is a popular piece for wind ensemble. |
| 29east | Left AloneMal Waldron | play_arrow | A moving and memorial tone for the saxophone |
| 30east | Entertainer The EntertainerScott Joplin | play_arrow | A ragtime piece composed by Scott Joplin |
| 31east | Memory from the musical CatsAndrew Lloyd Webber | play_arrow | Saxophone playing suits the twilight. |
| 32east | A Whole New World, from the movie AladdinAlan Menken | play_arrow | Aladdin song, difficult B notes saxophone performance |
| 33east | Rhapsodic FantasiaBernhard Heiden | play_arrow | Haydn's works are fantastical and suitable for beginners. |
| 34east | Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Yuki-daruma TsukurouTony Awards | play_arrow | Iconic songs from Frozen are suitable for beginner saxophonists |
| 35east | Tufted puffinHakasé Tarō | play_arrow | Let's play 'Etopirika' on the saxophone |
| 36east | Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo | play_arrow | The Detective Conan theme song is a piece that saxophonists aspire to play. |
| 37east | Jesu, Joy of Man’s DesiringJ.S.Bach | play_arrow | Bach's music lives on today |
| 38east | Swing Low, Sweet Chariot | play_arrow | A spiritual sung by slaves about hope and freedom |
| 39east | Moon RiverHenry Mancini | play_arrow | The moving emotion of 'Moon River' that stirs the soul |
| 40east | You’ve Got A Friend In Me / You Are My FriendRandy Newman | play_arrow | Best classic songs for saxophone beginners |
| 41east | Titanic’s theme, “My Heart Will Go On”Céline Dion | play_arrow | The moving melody of the Titanic theme song |
| 42east | Moonlight SerenadeGlenn Miller | play_arrow | Glenn Miller’s famous song, with beautiful saxophone playing |
| 43east | you would be so nice to comehome to.Art Pepper | play_arrow | The allure of jazz played on the saxophone |
| 44east | Dead LeavesJoseph Kosma | play_arrow | An inspiring jazz masterpiece that portrays an autumn scene |
| 45east | Silent Night | play_arrow | A Christmas carol that prays for peace |
| 46east | Careless WhisperWham! | play_arrow | Tenor sax, a nostalgic Wham! song |
| 47east | I’m in love with your eyes.Bob Gaudio | play_arrow | The classic song 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' is loved around the world. |
| 48east | Under the Sea from The Little MermaidAlan Menken | play_arrow | Haruka Shimazaki performs “Under the Sea.” |
| 49east | Take FivePaul Desmond | play_arrow | A masterpiece in an odd time signature featuring impressive saxophone |
| 50east | This roadYamada Kōsaku | play_arrow | Kósçak Yamada’s music is simple and deeply tasteful. |
| 51east | Paradise Has No BorderToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora | play_arrow | A captivating collaboration between Sakana-kun and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra |
| 52east | CsárdásMonti | play_arrow | A difficult multi-instrument piece by Monti |
| 53east | LibertangoAstor Piazzolla | play_arrow | Piazzolla’s piece famous from the Suntory commercial |
| 54east | In the MoodJoe Garland | play_arrow | A famous jazz classic known as a signature piece of the Glenn Miller Orchestra |
| 55east | CanonJohann Pachelbel | play_arrow | Pachelbel’s Canon is a masterpiece for wind instruments. |
| 56east | Mambo No. 5Perez Prado | play_arrow | Mambo No. 5 is a repeatedly enjoyable piece of music. |
| 57east | Fly Me To The MoonBart Howard | play_arrow | The classic song “Fly Me To The Moon” is a symbol of adventure. |
| 58east | SonataDavid Maslanka | play_arrow | Famous as a standard piece for saxophone practice. |
| 59east | Galaxy Express 999Godiego | play_arrow | Galaxy Express 999, a masterpiece rich in arrangements |
| 60east | Theme of Super Mario Bros.Koji Kondo | play_arrow | The Super Mario theme is famous. |
| 61east | Beauty and the BeastCéline Dion | play_arrow | Saxophone performance of famous songs from Disney movies |
| 62east | HallelujahLeonard Cohen | play_arrow | Canada’s classic song “Hallelujah,” a masterpiece |
| 63east | Take FivePaul Desmond | play_arrow | Tips for practicing the jazz classic “Take Five” |
| 64east | A-TrainBilly Strayhorn | play_arrow | A dynamic, lively piece that depicts the sounds of a train |
| 65east | Stand By MeBen E. King | play_arrow | A horror film depicting boys' journey along the railroad tracks |
| 66east | ConfirmationCharles Parker Jr | play_arrow | Charlie Parker's classic jazz saxophone piece |
| 67east | Ave MariaFranz Schubert | play_arrow | Schubert’s Ave Maria is moving. |
| 68east | Dear DukeStevie Wonder | play_arrow | A groovy hit by Stevie Wonder |
| 69east | Over the RainbowHarold Arlen | play_arrow | Beyond the rainbow, a classic filled with dreams and hope |
| 70east | Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd | play_arrow | The Mickey Mouse theme song is hard to understand. |
| 71east | Jingle BellsJames Lord Pierpont | play_arrow | Christmas music is fun and easy to understand. |
| 72east | The night fog stings my eyes.Jerome Kern | play_arrow | Play the piece “Night Fog,” paying attention to the lead |
| 73east | My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane | play_arrow | Jazz songs are fun to play. |
| 74east | When the Saints Go Marching In | play_arrow | Saxophone solo of the jazz standard 'When the Saints Go Marching In' |
| 75east | Bark at the Sun!Ōno Katsuo | play_arrow | The famous song from the TV drama “Taiyo ni Hoero!” |
| 76east | what do you mean?Justin Bieber | play_arrow | An engaging saxophone piece with an appealing tempo |
| 77east | Wish Upon a StarLeigh Harline | play_arrow | Pinocchio’s theme song, perfect for saxophone practice |
| 78east | Happy birthdayMildred J. Hill, Patty Smith Hill | play_arrow | A beloved, universally cherished classic for celebrating birthdays |
| 79east | Open MindMatsunaga Takashi | play_arrow | A signature piece by the young Takashi Matsunaga, a TV program theme song |
| 80east | FantasiaClaude Thomas Smith | play_arrow | Performance techniques for famous pieces popular among saxophonists |
| 81east | The decisive battle is on Friday.DREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | Popular songs by DREAMS COME TRUE |
| 82east | Forever In LoveKenny G | play_arrow | Pursuing the allure of Kenny G’s saxophone |
| 83east | WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLDLouis Armstrong | play_arrow | Let's play a piece in 12/8 time accurately. |
| 84east | Full of SunNino Rota | play_arrow | Great songs from movie theme tracks that are perfect for practice |
| 85east | The Olive NecklacePaul Mauriat | play_arrow | The Olive Necklace, a tenor saxophone piece |
| 86east | moonlightLudwig van Beethoven | play_arrow | The joy of playing Beethoven on the saxophone |
| 87east | Sweet MemoriesMatsuda Seiko | play_arrow | The saxophone masterpiece “Sweet Memories” |
| 88east | Sing, Sing, SingLouis Prima | ![]() | The big band classic “Sing, Sing, Sing” is the best! |
| 89east | Love’s GreetingEdward Elgar | play_arrow | Performing famous violin pieces of high difficulty |
| 90east | The House of the Rising Sun / The House Where the Morning Sun Shines | play_arrow | The profound story behind a classic song sung by the Animals |
| 91east | Part of Your WorldAlan Menken | play_arrow | The moving music composed by Alan Menken |
| 92east | SummertimeGeorge Gershwin | play_arrow | A composer who achieved the fusion of jazz and music |
| 93east | Country RoadJohn Denver | play_arrow | A classic American song, back in the spotlight thanks to Ghibli |
| 94east | The Hitachi tree—what kind of tree is this?Kobayashi Asei | play_arrow | Hitachi’s commercial theme is a masterpiece that’s easy to perform. |
| 95east | Part of Your WorldAlan Menken | play_arrow | The captivating tale of Ariel, the songstress of the sea |
| 96east | Let It BeThe Beatles | play_arrow | A Beatles classic that delights its listeners. |
| 97east | ButterflyKimura Kaera | play_arrow | Kaela Kimura’s classic song for a happy wedding |
| 98east | Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu | play_arrow | Popular difficult music pieces for weddings |
| 99east | SpainChick Corea | play_arrow | A diverse set of songs blending jazz and Latin |
| 100east | Love Theme from Cinema ParadisoEnnio Morricone | play_arrow | A classic movie theme, a moving work beloved by many |
| 101east | MistyErroll Louis Garner | play_arrow | Jazz standard, a famous piece for saxophone quartet |
| 102east | Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin | play_arrow | The Allure of Rhapsody in Blue |
| 103east | The Girl from IpanemaGilberto | play_arrow | Gilberto's classic bossa nova wins a Grammy |
| 104east | BurlesqueRobert Planel | play_arrow | Practice with a metronome to master the beat |
| 105east | Aura Lee / Love Me TenderElvis Persley | play_arrow | This piece is suitable for saxophone practice. |
| 106east | QuartetGuy Lacour | play_arrow | Famous songs used in beginner saxophone lessons |
| 107east | HEROMariah Carey | play_arrow | Perform famous pieces on the saxophone with emotion |
| 108east | My Funny ValentineMiles Davis | play_arrow | Miles Davis's classic jazz piece |
| 109east | Early Spring OdeNakada Akira | play_arrow | A classic whose nostalgic tones evoke a sense of longing |
| 110east | Joy of LoveFritz Kreisler | play_arrow | An encouraging pop song that depicts everyday life |
| 111east | My Dear EllieKUWATA BAND | play_arrow | A poignant Southern (Sazan) classic that resonates with the heart. |
| 112east | MistySarah Vaughan | play_arrow | Sarah Vaughan’s classic, singing of love and confusion |

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