21st Century Studies for Saxophone

From the Publisher

This is a book of 24 saxophone solos which was composed with the intention of being accessible to students of the saxophone who are at various stages of ability, from beginner onward. The studies are composed with the use of melody as well as less tonal forms, in order to achieve a range of styles.

Musical devices from various cultures, such as pentatonic, modal and diminished scales, elements of traditional and be-bop jazz, Celtic folk and Latin-American dance forms, as well as Western ‘classical’ devices such as the augmented and Neapolitan 6th have been used. In addition, I have tried to bring out the best of the saxophone by using the more common key signatures, and I encourage the judicious use of vibrato in most of the pieces in order to add some humanity, which should be attainable if the reed is not too hard. You will find that despite some unusual finger patterns, the studies are playable as well as being fun to play.

I must stress that the dynamic markings are the bare minimum of those required to make the music sound alive, so you should play your own dynamics as well as those that are written.

Above all, the studies are intended to give an insight into a variety of forms which are prevalent in other cultures, which I am sure you will find most interesting.

Approved Exam Music

Recommended for the following exam grade(s):

Trinity College London Alto Saxophone (from 2023)
Grades: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8

Trinity College London Tenor Saxophone (from 2023)
Grades: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8

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