Saxophone Curriculum
Kristin Bayer, instructor
2011
Level I
Musical and Technical Skills
Posture and hand position, and saxophone placement
Correct embouchure
Use of air and breath control
Tonguing basics
Music notation basics
Theory basics- Sharps, flats, time signature, key signature, etc.
Scales - Any 3 major scales, one octave, memorized
Method Books
Essential Elements, Level I
Rubank Elementary Method
Repertoire Examples
Bozza, -La Campinile
Dubois - Olga-Valse
LEVEL II
Musical and Technical Skills
Embouchure strengthening
Air and breathing progress
Tonguing- Patterns, speed
Theory instruction as needed
Scales – Any 3 major scales, one octave, memorized
Tone/sound- Awareness of the importance of it
Reed knowledge- Brands, thickness, preservation
Method Books
Essential Elements, Book II
Rubank Elementary Method – Possibly Intermediate Method
Repertoire Examples
Bach/Rascher -Minuet
Londeix -Tableaux Aquitains
LEVEL III
Musical and Technical Skills
Posture- Begin placing saxophone in between the legs if not doing so already
Tonguing- Accuracy, light/soft tonguing ability
Scales – Any 7 major scales, one octave, memorized
Tone/sound- Strive for a “thick,” quality sound using throat, air, and embouchure
Alternate fingers and palm keys
Vibrato introduced
Method Books
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Selected Studies
Repertoire Examples
Bach/Rousseau - Arioso
Bozza - Aria
Handel, Merriman - Baroque Suite
Ibert - Aria
Teal - Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player
LEVEL IV
Musical and Technical Skills
Tonguing- Continued work
Scales- Any 7 major scales, one octave, memorized
- 2 octave chromatic scale, memorized
Tone- Heavy focus on sound production and quality
Vibrato- Use in music, variation, musical placement of
Breath support- Volume control and flexibility
Sight-reading skills and practice
Musical interpretation emphasis
Goals- Solo fest participation, all-county/all-state auditions, etc.
Method Books
Ferling - 48 Studies- begin
Rubank - Advanced Method
Rubank - Selected Studies
Repertoire Examples
Bonneau - Suite
Handel - Adagio and Allegro
Telemann/Londeix - Sonata
LEVEL V: DIPLOMA LEVEL
Musical and Technical Skills
Scales- All 12 major scales, one octave, memorized
Vibrato- Independent decision making of placement, speed, and intensity
Musical interpretation skills solidifying
Sight-reading
Ensemble playing- (Strongly suggest playing in an ECMS saxophone quartet)
Introduction of contemporary music literature and techniques
Introduction of overtone series
Method Books
Ferling - 48 Studies
Klose
Marcel Mule - 18 Exercises
Repertoire Examples
Bozza - Improvisation et Caprice
Dubois - Concerto
Maurice - Tableaux de Provence
Rascher - Rascher Collection
LEVEL VI
Musical and Technical Skills
Scales- All 12 major scales, one octave, memorized
Musical interpretation and vibrato well executed on own initiative
Sight-reading with accuracy and confidence
Contemporary music familiarity and confidence in interpreting it musically
Overtone series progression
Altissimo register introduced
College audition preparation (when applicable)
Method Books
Klose
Londeix - 8 etude techniques
Marcel Mule -- multiple etude books
Prati - Approach to Contemporary Music
Senon - 32 Etudes-Melodic and Technical Studies (contemporary)
Repertoire Examples
Bonneau - Caprice en Forme de Valse
Creston - Sonata
Desenclos - Prelude, Cadence et Finale
Ibert - Concertino de Camera
Last updated: October 6, 2011
Student Handbook Table of Contents