Technique of the Saxophone: Scale Studies Paperback – November 1, 1986

This book isn't just great for saxophone. Any instrumentalist should take the concepts of this book and apply them to their instrument. I've gained a lot in applying the concepts to trumpet (though greatly adjusting the ranges). So often we get trapped in the box of running our scales from tonic to tonic in little octave boxes, but this book will force you go beyond that, start from anywhere, and explore the full range of your instrument. Often neglected are the bottom ranges of scales that we can't complete the octave on, so we are lacking technique in those areas. Also, due to the habit of always starting low and going up, many musicians find themselves less capable of starting at the top and going down.The book covers:- Extended range scales starting from any given note- Modal scales based in every key both ascending and descending covering the full range- Scale exercises in thirds (labeled as dyads)- Diatonic triad arpeggios- Diatonic 7th chord arpeggios (labelled as tetrads)- Diatonic 9h chord arpeggios (labelled as pentads)- Diatonic 11th chord arpeggios (hexads)- Diatonic 13th chord arpeggios (septads)The later sections have many rhythmic variations that will really test you. It's easy to get something locked into muscle memory, but when you have to play it in an odd rhythm you realize how much you're relying on finger patterns rather than really knowing it inside out. The same can be said for starting scales from various points or playing modes.Also, between each section is a polytonal exercise that forces you to apply the previous chapter's concepts, but while very quickly changing keys which primes you for the mental process of playing over fast changes.All of the exercises are written out explicitly in every key, though optimally you'll stop needing to look at them. If the book is missing anything, it's more sequence work or scales beyond majors their derivations (modes, and by extension, natural minors) But I won't dock the book any credit for that. It's still a fantastic resource and has more than enough material to justify the very low price.I'd also recommend supplementing with Mel Bay Encyclopedia of Scales, Modes and Melodic Patterns. This book does include the sequence ideas not covered in this book as well as more coverage of other scales, though it is not so explicitly written out as in this book. The Arnie Berle book is a fantastic book to follow up on after working in this book.

Great book. Great service.

BUEN MATERIAL

I find practicing the same scales in various derivatives a bit tedious and boring. However, I must say I hear a definite improvement in my playing from mere practice of these, so the intended purpose of the book is carried out. The deduction of one star is simply for the tediousness, but I suppose persistence is necessary for yielding good results. Therefore, I do recommend this book, but patience is a prerequisite for it.

I should never have bought this book but my teacher thought otherwise. He said that this book will make me a better saxophonist than people who do not do scales. So scales it is, what I am glad about is that is it very easy to oversee and to understand so if you want to better your scales this is a book for you a very thick book for you. Also it is easy to read and oh well just buy the book you won't be sorry you did.

Great exercises, will keep me busy for a while.

This is a thorough scale text that I know I'll get a lot out of. Why only three stars? The book comes with a glued binding that makes it nearly impossible to leave opened on a music stand without either destroying the binding, or paying extra to have it re-bound locally.Publishers, PLEASE consider usability of your products when you re-print. Cheaper is not necessarily better!

Excellent!!!! A+++ Seller