Waterstones Abracadabra Saxophone (Pupil's book)

Author: Raquel

Rating: 5

Review: None of it

Author: A.Sturgess

Rating: 3

Review: If what you're looking for is a self-teaching tutor, then this book is very unlikely to be of much help. There are no guidelines at all at the outset about how to hold or care for your sax nor are there any guidelines about how to develop an embouchure and how to breathe properly. There is no outline of basic music theory although tips are scattered here and there throughout. The structure, layout and sequencing of this book is really intended for someone who is at least having some lessons and can work with a teacher. BUT, at a pinch, it can also be used without that aid as long as you understand how the book works and as long as you are prepared to take your time and work carefully. Roughly the first half of the book provides you with a wide range of melodies. Each group is prefaced with a diagram of the saxophone to show you which keys have to be used to play each new note. It is up to you to work slowly enough to make sure that you know, recognise and can remember each of the notes that goes before because what you are presented with are melodies in notation form which need you to use the notes you have learned thus far. That is a standard approach but some may feel that as you work through the book, the pace and complexity increase quite noticeably. There are concise but useful hints and tips throughout but these really are minimal. Roughly the second half of the book follows a similar pattern, but now you get a higher number of melodies to practise before moving on to the next new note. I have looked at a range of saxophone tutors and personally I feel that the strength of this book for a self-teacher is as an added resource to accompany whatever you've chosen as your main teaching & learning method. It will also work well if you're having lessons and your teacher can elaborate on key points for each new piece. Other books and resources I've been looking at in the context of looking for a useful self-teaching tutor are: Mel Bay's Saxophone Method (Personally I liked this the least of all. It's heavy on exercises and tunes and low on actual teaching guidelines or tips). Look, Listen & Learn (Oldenkamp & Kastelein) (Designed more for children and maybe not as successful or clear as it could have been) Andy Hampton's Saxophone Basics (Again, may be designed for younger learners but a much better attempt at the style used in Abracadabra Sax. There are more hints and teaching points. There's an excellent fingering diagram in the middle of the book. Play Alto Sax Today (apart from the silly use of 'Today' this book is well sequenced and is worth comparing with the Andy Hampton book. There is an especially clear introduction about sax care and playing guidelines. The actual pace with which you are expected to learn and play is slower and more sensible) Play Alto Sax Today (separate DVD) - useful, clear and well worth watching. Alto sax (DVD) Alfred publishing - also very useful. The saxophone (DVD) Pete Thomas - interesting but personally I preferred the previous two. The Jools Holland introduction seems to be generic for the series. So, after all that, I'm forced to a fairly obvious and logical conclusion ... NONE of the above books really work as the basis for teaching yourself to play the saxophone. It is a complex instrument capable of enormous subtleties and emotional range. Self-teaching must, I feel, be a last resort because the guidance of a professional teacher or, at least, a competent, experienced player is definitely the way to go. True - working alone and if you're motivated enough, you will make progress and you may get quite a way down the road, but to avoid picking up bad habits, a good teacher will be required. Youtube tutorials can help but to find a teacher nearest to you, I recommend using firsttutors.com There's no hard sell and if you register, you can submit your own needs, description etc. and any tutors who feel they can help will contact you by email or phone. (I have no axe to grind in making that recommendation nor any affiliation to FirstTutors. It's what I'm considering doing.)