On this page, saxophone players will find videos and other resources related to saxophone playing and instrument care. Please refer to this page often as Mr. Barnard updates this page regularly.
For tutorial videos designed specifically to our Measures of Success Book, CLICK HERE to view videos put together by our D97 Elementary Band Teachers.
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Selfridge & Mr. Glynn, for putting together these great video tutorials for beginners! I highly recommend that students and families follow him on YOUTUBE, TWITTER and his website: gobando.com
This video will demonstrate how to properly open the saxophone case and name all of the parts of the saxophone.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn about reeds and how to care for them. Reeds are essential in order to make a sound on the clarinet and saxophone.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn about use cork grease in order to take care of the cork located on the neck of the saxophone.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video students will learn how to put together the mouthpiece, neck and reed of the saxophone.
Pay close attention on how to care for the reed. Be careful when handling the reed and ligature (metal part that holds the reed).
Students will break reeds but they don't want to get into a habit of breaking reeds all the time.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to properly put together the saxophone. Pay close attention to how careful the instrument is handled during the process.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Mr. Glynn demonstrates how to form a saxophone embouchure "band face", in order to successfully play the saxophone.
Pay close attention to how much mouthpiece you need to put in your mouth.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to properly hold the saxophone and be in proper playing position.
It is very important for both students to view this video with their family in order to properly take care of their saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to play the note, B, on saxophone.
Students will need to make sure they are properly holding the saxophone and not bumping into other keys when playing.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to play the note, A, on saxophone.
Students will need to make sure they are properly holding the saxophone and not bumping into other keys when playing.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to play the note, G, on saxophone.
Students will need to make sure they are properly holding the saxophone and not bumping into other keys when playing.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge reviews 4 different steps to make sure you are making the proper sound.
1. Making sure instrument is put together properly.
2. Making sure you are holding instrument properly.
3. Check fingers that you are playing correct note and not bumping into other keys.
4. Checking your embouchure "band face".
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
Meet Paul Hayward, a great professional saxophonist, who will demonstrate how to tongue on the saxophone.
Paul uses two different types of tonguing, "Tah" and "Dah." We will use the "Tah" tonguing at first to help get started. Eventually, the "Dah" tonguing style will be used and is preferred since it is a lighter tonguing style.
Again, just focus on doing the "Tah" style of tonguing.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
Jay Metcalf is a professional saxophonist that demonstrates how to form a good embouchure and demonstrates the importance of playing long tones on the saxophone to help develop our sound.
Please note the amount of mouthpiece he uses as well as his description about lip pressure (not too much) around the saxophone mouthpiece.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to play "Hot Cross Buns" on the saxophone. Students will review the notes B-A-G in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the first 5 notes of the saxophone.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, students will learn how to have good posture and breathe correctly in order to support playing any wind instrument.
Students should practice both posture and breathing regularly in order to play with a better sound on their instrument.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
This video demonstrates how to properly swab out your saxophone. Make sure to not bunch your swab when it enters through the bell of your saxophone so it doesn't bunch up and get stuck.
If your swab does get stuck, bring it to Mr. Barnard to help you get it out!
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, you are going to learn how to clean and disinfect your saxophone. MAKE SURE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO WITH AN ADULT AND DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION!!!
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play "Jingle Bells" on alto saxophone. Students need to know their first five notes on alto saxophone, G, A, B, C, & D in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Mr. Glynn demonstrates how to play a full G scale on the saxophone.
Students, please note the use of the octave key for D and higher notes.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the note Bb or A# on the saxophone.
Students, please note how he is using the side key with the side of his finger and not the finger tip.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune, "Fight Song" on alto saxophone.
Students need to know their first five notes on alto saxophone, G, A, B, C, & D in order to play this tune.
Click here for the play-a-long track.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune, "Blank Space" on alto saxophone.
Students will need to play up to a high A in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play "Star Wars" theme on alto saxophone.
Students will need to know their low D in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play "Danny Boy" on saxophone.
Students, note that Dr. Selfridge demonstrates slurring and phrasing when playing.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune "Pink Panther" on saxophone.
Students will play this song in the key of A minor, however there are some flat notes students will need to learn in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the song, "Havana" on alto saxophone.
Students will need to know their E minor scale in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
Dr. Selfridge demonstrates on to play the tune, "Despacito" on alto saxophone.
Students will need to play in the key of G# minor so students will learn quite a bit of sharps in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the song, "Hello" on alto saxophone.
Students will need to know their high C in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune, "See You Again" on alto saxophone.
Students will need to play up to high A on alto sax in order to play this tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune, "Cheap Thrills" on alto saxophone.
Students will learn about harmony and can play this tune together with friends or use GarageBand to create a multi-track recording of themselves.
Click here to hear Dr. Selfridge play the whole tune.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play "the Avengers Theme" on alto saxophone.
This video requires the use of 16th notes so students will work on fast tonguing in order to play this tune. This is also another great opportunity to play this tune with a friend or multi-track record in GarageBand.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
In this video, Dr. Selfridge demonstrates how to play the tune, "Uptown Funk" on alto saxophone.
Click here for play-a-long track.
CLICK HERE to view video on Youtube.
The video links below are not necessarily tutorials, but are fun songs to learn on your instrument. Some of them can be a challenge, so make sure you have your fingering chart available and use the pause button on your device to help you learn any new notes or fingerings. The main objective here is to find something you would like to learn and enjoy playing on your instrument.
CLICK HERE to go to the Saxplained Youtube Channel, filled with additional great music to learn on the saxophone.
Marcel Mule was the first important/influential classical saxophonist in the history of the saxophone. Marcel taught saxophone at the Paris Conservatory of Music and was the second professor behind Adolph Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.
Here is a recording of Marcel Mule playing the first movement of Concerto da Camera. Click Here to view this video on Youtube.
Sigurd Rascher was the second most noted classical saxophonist only to Marcel Mule in the history of the saxophone. Rascher was noted mostly for extending the range of the saxophone above the normal written range, called altissimo notes! His published book, Top Tones for the Saxophone, has been used by numerous saxophonists through the years in learning this extended technique.
Here is a recording of Sigurd Rascher playing Henri Eccles, Sonata. Click Here to view this video on Youtube.
Eugene Rousseau is well known as one of the most important American saxophonists in the history of classical saxophone. For many years he taught at the University of Texas at Austin and has been featured as a guest artist for numerous orchestras and bands around the world.
Here is a recording of him playing the Glazunov Concerto for saxophone. Click Here to view this video on Youtube.
Don Sinta was another very popular American classical saxophonist who taught many years at the University of Michigan. His recordings, along with Eugene Rousseau's are models of the American classical saxophone tradition.
Here, Don Sinta is performing Eugene Bozza's "Aria." Click Here to view video in Youtube.
John Harle is a British saxophonist who is as equally popular as a composer and saxophonist. He is often called upon for many film scores and Proms performances at Royal Albert Music Hall in London.
Here is a recording of Harle performing, "Out of The Cool." Click Here to view video in Youtube.
Debra Richtmeyer is the saxophone professor at the University of Illinois and has produced some of the best classical saxophonists of today.
Here is a recording of Richtmeyer performing the Glazunov Concerto for saxophone. Click Here to view video in Youtube.
Amy Dickson is one of the more popular young saxophonists of today. She studied under the British Saxophonist, John Harle and has made a name for herself with the British Proms at Royal Albert Music Hall in London and has also recording soundtracks for popular movies.
Here, Amy Dickson is performing Philip Glass' Violin Concerto No. 1. Click Here to view video in Youtube.
Jess Gillam is today's rising star in the Classical Saxophone world and has made a name for herself in the BBC's Proms from Royal Albert Music Hall.
Here, Jess Gillam is performing Scaramouche, by Milhaud. Click Here to view video on Youtube.
Johnny Hodges was one of the earliest important jazz alto saxophonists, who played in Duke Ellington's Orchestra. His sound was known as smooth and silky and was well known for how he would bend and slide his notes.
Here, Johny Hodges is performing "I Got It Band," a Duke Ellington classic. Click Here to view video in Youtube.
Benny Carter was also one of the earliest important jazz alto saxophonists, who played with many big bands through the years as well as his own groups.
Here, Benny Carter is playing the jazz standard, "I Can't Get Started." Click Here to view video in Youtube.
For more great jazz saxophonists, check out Mr. B's Virtual Jazz Room!