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