Introducing Jazz Concepts to Saxophone Students

Jazz & the Saxophone: The Perfect Match

The saxophone was invented around 1850, specifically for woodwind players in military bands to be audible alongside the brass. Since then, however, the sax has been perhaps the most iconic of all jazz instruments, in the way that the electric guitar is synonymous with rock. Many of my students take up the saxophone saying they like jazz, although when pushed, they can’t name one specific piece! For me, jazz means improvisation and freedom, while playing in a “jazzy” style is only the entry point for real enjoyment of the instrument. Why play an imitation of jazz when with guidance you can play the real thing? Unlocking inhibitions is the first step, (playing without written notes is like taking the training wheels off a child’s bike), but once they’re off, there’s no stopping them.

First Introductions to Jazz

Listening to jazz is vital to be able to play it. Most good musicians can improvise, but making it sound like jazz is another matter. You have to be careful here though: too much information at once can be daunting, and a student won’t absorb or engage with anything. Short pieces with obvious structure and melodic and harmonic clarity are best to begin with, perhaps introduced chronologically, from Ragtime, to early jazz, Swing, Bebop, Cool Jazz, Jazz Funk, etc., so the student can appreciate its development. Familiarity breeds appreciation, so get to know three or four tracks really well before progressing onto more. Students can then begin to copy the style of what they hear, just like picking up a foreign accent.

The Tricky Parts

Of course, there are difficulties along the road to learning how to play jazz saxophone. Connecting the ears to the fingers is the first major step; learning to play easy and familiar tunes by ear is a good way of developing this skill. Playing in time is also problematic for some students. Eager to play melodic phrases, they can forget that what they play has to fit timewise with the accompaniment. A good groove is often more important than the right notes. And getting the saxophone to sound right is another hurdle. Unlike classical clarinetists or flute players who are all trained to play with the same tone (ultimately so they can sound exactly like the person sitting next to them in an orchestra), great jazz saxophonists can be instantly identified by their tone, personal inflections, articulation, vibrato etc. There is no such thing as the perfect saxophone embouchure: look at pictures of the great players, they’re all different, however, some basic techniques must be followed (diaphragm-controlled breathing, open and flexible throat, fat bottom lip etc) in order to get a platform to imitate whoever has the sound you love most. And then to stamp your own personality on top of that of course.

Unleashing Your Jazz Style

Jazz is best learned aurally. Early jazz musicians never went to jazz school (nothing like that existed), and anyway, half of them couldn’t read music. They absorbed the sound of jazz by listening to other musicians, imitating them and then developing their own style and ideas. I try to teach along these lines. Of course, some things need to be explained with words or dots on a staff, but as soon as possible, the ears should take over and control what is being played. That is when the fun of jazz really begins, and creativity within the style is unleashed!

Put it Into Practice!

Students can discover the exciting world of jazz, from its roots in ragtime to blues, bebop and beyond with my new practical book How to Play Jazz Saxophone . I’ve written it to be a fun introduction for students, and it teaches elements such as methods of improvisation, how to play in swing time, syncopated rhythms, jazz scales, and more. In keeping with the imaginative approach, each chapter takes you on a journey through the famous jazz clubs of our time. I’ve also included suggestions for listening ideas and melodic ‘phrase banks’ based on typical jazz chords to help spark ideas for improvisation.

How to Play Jazz Saxophone is suitable for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone and there are separate piano accompaniments for both Eb and Bb instruments available to download online. To begin with, all you need is some knowledge of how to play the saxophone; the book progresses from late elementary to intermediate level. So if you’re ready for jazz, let’s get started!