Below are a few suggestions of learning materials for anyone looking for some inspiration…

Beginners

• Creative Saxophone - A Fresh Approach for Beginners Featuring Jazz and Improvisation

This is the best beginner saxophone book that I have come across. It teaches all of the basics that are covered in more well-known methods, but it also uses good quality backing tracks (using these is an invaluable way to learn more quickly and have more fun doing it) and introduces musicians to improvisation.

Intermediate

• Jim Snidero - Easy Jazz Conception for Alto or Tenor Saxophone

• My Spotify playlist for students. This has some great music on it, a lot of which is good for a first transcription project.

Advanced

• Jim Snidero - Intermediate Jazz Conception for Alto or Tenor Saxophone

• Jim Snidero - Jazz Conception for Alto or Tenor Saxophone

• Ramon Ricker - Improvisation - all volumes

• Jerry Bergonzi - Inside Improvisation Series - all volumes

• My Spotify playlist for students. This has some great music on it, a lot of which is good for a first transcription project.

“In order to improve, you must be doing a good amount of the following three things; solitary practice, playing with other people and listening.” - Dick Oatts