Saxophone Excerpts and Master Classes

(Updated 5 August 2021)

This page has books of orchestral excerpts for saxophone
and master class books including saxophone extended techniques and and altissimo.

Use the Saxophone menus to find other books and music for saxophone.

On this page, books marked with the saxophone symbols below have specific information for that saxophone.
   

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Excerpts and Parts
S007: The Orchestral Saxophonist, Volume One by Bruce Ronkin and Robert Frascotti. Roncorp Publications, 1978/2009, SS, 68 pages. The Orchestral Saxophonist has been written to provide the musician with a comprehensive preview of the work he or she will be required to perform. The book contains about 40 excerpts, including works of Bizet, Britten, Gershwin, Khachaturian, Ravel, Shostakovich, Vaughn Williams, Villa-Lobos and many more. Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents.
23.95
S008: The Orchestral Saxophonist, Volume Two by Bruce Ronkin and Robert Frascotti. Roncorp Publications, 2014, SB, 60 pages. This volume is a continuation of Volume One. The book contains 23 excerpts, including works of Bartok, Berg, Bernstein, Hindemith, Milhaud, Penderecki, Villa-Lobos, Webern and more.Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents. 
23.95


Master Classes (includes saxophone altissimo and extended techniques, by title)
S367: The Altissimo Primer by Paul Cohen. To the Fore Publishers, 2014, SS, 45 pages. This book serves as an introduction to the development of altissimo as a natural extension of range. It provides an overview of the overtones and a set of fingerings for the altissimo. Most of the books is devoted to a series of exercises focusing on Scales and Arpeggios, The Equality of Registers, and Cultivating an Artistic Facility. This book now says "Edition 2014" on the cover but I can't tell what may have changed.
14.95
S854: Altissimo Studies for Alto Saxophone by Todd Rewoldt. Radnofsky Couper Editions, 2010, SS, 34 pages. The focus of these studies is not to teach the basics of performing in the altissimo, but to provide practical fingering patterns that will increase speed and fluency. However, many studies often provide numerous pages of scales and patterns that ask little more than to “play up an octave.” Saxophonists, then, are required to choose from an array of possible fingerings, often resulting in an inconsistent or “clumsy” altissimo technique. To complement those study books that provide fingerings, vocal/throat exercises, and patterns, Altissimo Studies provides precise fingerings for each pitch of the included altissimo scales, arpeggios, trills, and passages from the repertoire. These fingering patterns are designed specifically to increase speed and fluency in altissimo performance of the alto saxophone.
21.95
S1190: Altissimo Studies for Tenor Saxophone by Todd Rewoldt. Radnofsky Couper Editions, 2015, SS, 52 pages. The author wrote: Tenor saxophone altissimo is widely used and accepted, especially in the performance of jazz and rock music. While tenor altissimo fingering charts and diagrams abound on the internet and in several manuscripts, there is not as clear a teaching methodology for tenor saxophone altissimo as there is for the alto; as I found during my research for this book, altissimo on the tenor saxophone is a completely different animal! As much as I had hoped to transfer alto saxophone altissimo fingering patterns to tenor, issues such as intonation, timbre, response, and fluid fingering patterns created many difficulties. In particular, the fingering options for altissimo G#, A#, and B made for extremely difficult and creative choices, ultimately resolving with the decision that context (tempo, instrumentation, dynamic, articulation, and style) is the most important aspect to consider when deciding which fingering patterns to employ… that, and a firm reed! To complement those study books and resources that provide altissimo fingerings, vocal/throat exercises, and patterns, Altissimo Studies provides precise fingerings for each pitch of the included altissimo scales, arpeggios, trills, and passages from the repertoire. These fingering patterns are designed specifically to increase speed and fluency in altissimo performance of the tenor saxophone. The fingerings included are by no means the only fingerings one could use to practice in the altissimo register. My suggestions allow for the saxophonist to incorporate fingerings that they are already comfortable with (i.e. palm keys) and utilize the natural overtones that are produced. Certainly, a method book such as Altissimo Studies will promote greater fluidity and encourage others to standardize their own altissimo fingerings. I hope that all saxophonists enjoy this book as much as I have with its creation.
21.95
S571: Beginning Studies in the Altissimo Register for Saxophone by Rosemary Lang revised and edited by Gail B. Levinsky. Ensemble Publications, 2009, SS, 44 pages. This popular book (originally published in 1971) is now back in print in a new edition. Rosemary R. Lang (1920-1985) was a faculty member at Butler University from 1948 until her death. Gail B. Levinsky is on the faculty at Susquehanna University and was a music student at Butler during the 1970s. This book begins with fundamental techniques for producing altissimo register tones, it provides fingerings for the alto and tenor saxophone with numerous exercises and studies.
15.95
S369: The Complete Saxophonist by James Houlik and Eric Lauver. Northeastern Music Publications, 2007, SS, 44 pages pages + CD. Subtitled: An Essential resource for the serious saxophonists. While this book calls itself a method book it is very similar to some of the books we have catgorized as Master Classes. It focuses on aspects of saxophone playing such as tone development, technical exercises (including alternate fingerings), articulation, and vibrato. It also includes lyrical and technical etudes and a CD with recordings of some the exercises from the book and some artistic performances by Houlik and Donald Sinta.
23.95

/ S833: Crossover Pieces for Saxophone by Peter Lehel. Advance Music, 2011, PB, 123 pages + CD. This book offers performers on B-flat saxophones (tenor or soprano) a wide variety of stylistically diverse solo pieces in popular styles -- hip hop, boogaloo, Latin jazz, funk, jazz ballad, shuffle blues, bossa nova, bolero, jazz waltz -- along with comprehensive information about structure, melody, harmony, and improvisation. These are the authors own compositions, many of which we have for sale. The text is provided in English and German, and creative exercises are also provided with each piece to strengthen performance skills. The CD recording provides both demonstration and play-along-with-rhythm-section tracks. The author rates the difficulty level at medium to medium-advanced. (As this is primarily an instructional book on jazz and pop genres, we have no idea why it has this title.) Click of the cover image to view the table of contents and sample pages.
29.95
    S107: Extended Technique for the Saxophone by J. Michael Leonard. Black Lion Press, 2004, SB, 61 pages. A new edition of this book originally published in 1984. It covers basic fundaments (fingering and alternates, trills, intonation, and pitch alteration), harmonic studies, the altissimo register and fingering, quarter tones and fingering, multiphonics and timbre alterations. With the exception of the altissimo fingers which are quite detailed, this book should be regarded as a reasonably priced introduction to extended technique.
19.95
    S030: Hello! Mr. Sax by Jean-Marie Londeix. Alphonse Leduc, 1989, PB, 113 pages. Subtitled: Parameters of the Saxophone. Text is in French and English. Much of this book is devoted to extended techniques such as multiphonics, microtones, and special techniques of  timbre and articulation. However, there sections on vibrato and other techniques that will be of interest to nearly all. Bass through sopranino are covered.
57.80
S1208: Modern Saxophone Techniques by Frank Catalano. Hal Leonard, 2016, PB, 101 pages with online audio access. Many books present facts, but Modern Saxophone Techniques teaches the developing player how to learn. The concepts presented will keep players learning, maturing, and mastering the saxophone. In the online video, author and virtuoso saxophonist Frank Catalano offers quick tips on many of the topics covered in the book. “In the Band” allows saxophonists to play along on six tunes and studies. Topics include: developing good rhythm; air stream and embouchure; intervals, melodies and bass lines; fingering charts; tonguing techniques; modern harmony tips; split-tones and sub-tones; and an extensive set of exercises in a variety of keys. Here are more details from the publisher's website.
24.95
S547: Multiphonics for the Saxophone by John Gross. Advance Music, 1998, PB, 99 pages. Saxophonist John Gross has been collecting multiphonics since 1961. This book with 178 different multiphonic fingerings is the result. They are grouped in chapters giving 3 notes, 2 notes, and 4 or more notes.  
25.95
    S121: Saxophone Altissimo: High Note Development for the Contemporary Player by Robert A. Luckey. Olympia Music Publishing, 1998 (Second Edition), SB, 207 pages. This book features over 300 high note fingerings for the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. It includes excerpts from selected classical alto saxophone solos with recommended fingerings for altissimo tones, as well as overtone exercises and extended range exercises. There are also challenging jazz etudes incorporating the altissimo register that can be performed with Jamey Aebersold's Play-Along, Volume 43, Groovin' High.
29.95
    S019: Saxophone High Tones by Eugene Rousseau. MMB Music Inc., 1978, 2002, SS, 81 pages, second edition. The ability to exhibit fluency in playing above the saxophone's normal range is no longer a frill or an option, it is a necessity. This book provides the tool to develop and extended range on the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone. It includes a fingering chart for the normal range and the high tones, exercises that teach the techniques required for high tone production, and exercises to practice these techniques.
29.95
S804: The Saxophone Intonation Workbook by Trent Kynaston. Advance Music, 2006, SS, 54 pages + CD. This book is a thorough, organized approach to saxophone intonation. Basic concepts of embouchure and breathing, understanding the role of your equipment, and developing voicing techniques are all explored. Included are scale and arpeggio studies along with a CD to practice tuning on the alto and tenor saxophones. This is a must for all developing saxophonists. Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents and what is on the CD. 
26.95
S013: Saxophone Master Classes by Michael Eric Hester. Second Edition, 2003, PB, 76 pages. Dr. Hester has written this series of master classes as a resource for students of the saxophone, university instrumental methods classes, and those teaching or intending to teach the saxophone. Principal subjects include embouchure, air (breathing), articulation, vibrato, altissimo, practicing, and saxophone diagnostic (squeak, thin sound, bright or uncontrolled sound, and poor response).
15.95
S059: Selected Saxophone Masterclasses from the editors of Windplayer. Windplayer Publications, 1998, SS, 31 pages. This book contains 15 brief masterclasses on wide variety of subjects such as tone, tonguing, altissimo, soprano pitch problems and baritone sound by well known saxophonists such as Buddy Collette, Lew Tabackin, Jackie McLean, Jack Nimitz and more. Click on the cover image to view Table of Contents. 
12.95
    S040: Les Sons Multiples aux Saxophones by Daniel Kientzy. Salabert, 1982, PB, 80 pages. Multiphonic fingerings for the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. French and English text.
41.95
S705: Stratosphere: Altissimo Etudes for Saxophone by Noah Getz. Advance Music, 2011, SS, 47 pages. This book of altissimo etudes is by Dr. Noah Getz, a Washington DC based classical and jazz saxophonist and music educator. In addition to the 20 etudes, this book also includes a brief history of the altissimo register, considerations for developing the altissimo register, and a one page listing of works that include the altissimo register.
24.95

    S1175: Studies on the High and Low Notes of the Saxophone by Theodore Kerkezos. Alphonse Leduc, 2015, SS, 41 pages. This book includes instrument specific altissimo fingerings. It has exercises for high and low notes (including low A for the baritone). It also includes a preface and notes in French, English, German and Spanish.
22.95
    S615: The Techniques of Saxophone Playing by Marcus Weiss and Giorgio Netti. Baerenreiter, 2010, PB, 110 pages. From the publisher: " In the last few years several publications have been devoted to advanced playing techniques for wind instruments in contemporary music. Despite this, players have continued to request a more comprehensive resource with a better systematic approach, using practical examples from the repertoire." This is the result from saxophonist Marcus Weiss and composer Giorgio Netti. It covers microtones, altissimo, timbral fingerings, multiphonics, articulations, sound and embouchure, and other extended techniques. Musical examples of multiphonics and a variety of performance techniques are provided through an internet link The text is in German and English. "The book is an essential, practical performing tool for interpreters, teachers and composers."
64.95
    S028. Top-Tones for the Saxophone by Sigurd M. Raschèr. Carl Fischer, SS, 31 pages. Third Edition. This book is the key to mastering the extended upper range of the saxophone. It includes exercises to develop the technique necessary to produce the overtones necessary and fingerings for the tones above top F. Applicable to all saxophones. This book also includes the text in German.
12.95
S729: The Vandoren Etude and Exercise Book for the Saxophone. Carl Fischer, 2011, PB, 84 pages. Subtitled: The Secrets of Ten Master Saxophonists. The Vandoren Company and Carl Fischer Music have teamed up with ten of the finest saxophonists in the world to create a one-of-a-kind etude and exercise book. Each of these saxophone masters share their inner secrets of saxophone playing. This eclectic collection covers a wide range of challenges to mastering the saxophone, containing etudes to develop tone, technique, lyricism, and overall musicianship. No serious student or teacher should be without the innovative wisdom of this collection, which also includes warm-ups, altissimo fingerings and exercises, a complete quarter-tone fingering chart as well as Arabic rhythmic and melodic exercises. Featuring contributions from Serge Bertocchi, Paul Bro, James Bunte, Claude Delangle, Susan Fancher, Steven Mauk, Otis Murphy, Nicolas Prost, Neal Ramsay, and Matthew Sintchak.
24.95
S835: Voicing, an Approach to the Saxophone's Third Register by Donald Sinta. Meridian Winds, SB, 85 pages. Proficiency in the altissimo register is a necessity for the contemporary saxophonist. This book is a series of exercises that are designed to yield insight, develop control over the supporting physiology, reduce anxiety and failure, and allow and serious student to master this frequently elusive range. This book is the same as the previously available edition of this book with the addition of 6 pages on Donald Sinta.
24.95

Bindings:  HB: Hard Bound,  PB: Perfect Bound (paperback with square spine),  SS: Saddle Stitch (paper, folded and stapled),  SB: Spiral Bound (plastic or metal)