Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide: Lisa Keeney
Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide: Lisa Keeney
Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide: Lisa Keeney
The Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide is a free educational resource for students and teachers.
Its purpose is to provide quality yet concise information about playing the tenor saxophone
while encouraging further research and study.
This document assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of saxophone mechanics.
It uses Scientific Pitch Notation (C4 = c′, middle C) to identify notes. Texts in blue are hyperlinks.
Contributors
Dr. Joe Girard, Columbus State University
Dr. Casey Grev, State University of New York at Potsdam
Lucas Hopkins, D.M.A. Student, University of Colorado Boulder
Connor O’Toole, B.M. Student, University of Michigan
Dr. Justin Rollefson, Phoenix College
Jess Voigt-Page, Saxophone Academy Austin and Baylor University
Reviewers
Dr. Joe Girard, Columbus State University
Dr. Edward Goodman, University of Arizona
Dr. Dan Graser, Grand Valley State University
Dr. Diane Hunger, State University of New York at Fredonia and Syracuse University
Carrie Koffman, University of Hartford and Yale University
Dr. Peter Leung, Australia
Matthew Levy, PRISM Quartet and Temple University
Dr. Jessica Maxfield, University of Southern California
John Nichol, Central Michigan University
Dr. Jonathan Nichol, University of Oklahoma
Dr. Idit Shner, University of Oregon
Jess Voigt-Page, Saxophone Academy Austin and Baylor University
Dr. Matthew Younglove, Wayne State University
Contents
Fundamentals 2 Solo Repertoire List 8
Equipment 4 Albums 11
Fingering Chart Sigla 6 Educational Resources 12
Fingering Charts 7 Other Resources 13
2
Fundamentals
A) B)
A) B)
Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide
Keeney et al., 2018
3
General
Practicing fundamentals (longtones, scales and patterns, overtones, etc.) is always recommended.
If switching from alto, be prepared to spend some time adjusting to tenor, both in playing and holding
• One major difference between alto and tenor is the amount of air required; one may need significantly
more for tenor than alto to play similar phrases
• Keys are larger and farther apart, instrument is larger and heavier; good posture and support is imperative
• See Leung dissertation (Section 4) in OTHER RESOURCES; Leung interviews several professional
saxophonists worldwide to discuss differences between playing alto and playing tenor
o Requires “more open” oral cavity than alto (p. 56)
▪ [Embouchure forming syllables with mouthpiece: “ee—oo”, “eew”, or French “u”]
o “Larger size and less ergonomic positioning” than alto (p. 62)
• See Watkins in OTHER RESOURCES for detailed comparisons of oral cavity on SATB saxophones
Equipment
Needs and preferences vary; there are more options available beyond the following general
recommendations. Research, teacher consultation, and testing before purchase are highly recommended.
Prices (USD) are approximate as of 2018; distributors may vary.
Mouthpieces
Reed preferences vary; most mouthpieces are recommended with 3–3.5 strength reeds.
In general, the more open the mouthpiece, the softer the reed.
Vandoren
• TL3 ($130) [large barrel, may need to replace cork more often]
• T20 ($130, more open than TL3)
Selmer
• S90 ($200)
o 170 (less open), 180, 190 (more open)
• S80 C* ($190, other S80 openings available)
• Concept ($250) [longer than other mouthpieces, may have to push in farther]
Reeds
The Editor, Contributors, and many professionals prefer cane reeds;
the general consensus is that cane produces a better tone quality than synthetic.
Professional saxophonists generally use and recommend cane reeds from the following brands:
• D’Addario (classical reed options include Reserve, Reserve Classic)
• Vandoren (classical reed options include Traditional, V12, V21)
These brands offer various cuts of reeds for different strengths and purposes
Synthetic Reeds
• Legere (~$30–40)
o Editor and Contributors prefer Signature over Classic cut
• Some players prefer using Bass Clarinet synthetic reeds
• Depending on equipment and climate, using 1/4 strength variance (softer or harder) on plastic
reeds from cane reed strength may be more effective
Additional Equipment
Ligatures
Some brands’ ligatures only fit their corresponding mouthpieces or have varying sizes.
• Bay (several styles, $70)
• BG ($60–$150; material options vary price)
• Ishimori ($110–$250; material options vary price)
• Rovner Versa ($50)
• Vandoren
o M/O ($30–$90; material options vary price)
o Optimum ($70)
Cases
• BAM
o Cabine ($350) [popular choice among professionals, no extra space for other gear/music]
o Trekking ($490) [extra space for other gear/music]
o Trekking Carbon ($490) [extra space for other gear/music]
• Protec ProPac Contour ($150) [backpack strap extra $20; some extra space for other gear]
• SKB Pro Contour ($150) [some extra space for other gear]
• Wiseman London (custom-made only, minimum ~$1,000) [highly regarded by professionals]
Created with
Fingering Diagram
Builder
By Bret Pimentel
Fingering Charts
Effectiveness of fingerings may vary depending on equipment.
See Londeix, Kientzy, Rousseau, and Weiss/Netti in OTHER RESOURCES for comprehensive charts,
including those for quarter/micro tones, corrective fingerings, and multiphonics.
Charts are for written pitches in Scientific Pitch Notation: C4 = c′, middle C,
Fingerings in (parentheses) are optional variations.
Note: Selmer saxophones depress the Bis key concurrently with 3, therefore some fingerings do not transfer.
Type Sigla:
B: with Band O: with Orchestra U: Unaccompanied Works with orchestra/band usually have piano reductions available.
E: with Electronics P: with Piano Electronics refer to a track, delay, or other manipulations.
LAST FIRST DATES PIECE YEAR TYPE TIME NOTES RECORDING(S) (links when available)
Aperghis Georges b. 1945 Alter Ego 2001 U 8 Weiss, Georges Aperghis...Signaux
Bacon Alexis b. 1975 Ötzi 2017 E 10 Recording exclusive until Nov 1, 2018
Bédard Denis b. 1950 Fantaisie 1984 P 7 For B♭ saxophone Creviston (sop.), The Snell Sessions
Richard Ballad in Memory of Shirley
Bennett Rodney 1936–2012 Horn 2006 P 8 arr. by composer from clarinet Samek (clarinet), A Birthday Tribute
Richard
Bennett Rodney 1936–2012 Concerto for Stan Getz 1990 O ca. 25 Jazz crossover, improvisation Scott, My Mountain Top
Burgess Nadia b. 1958 Sonata 2013 P 18 Jazz crossover, improvisation Information on publisher site
Caird Adam b. 1977 Out of Line 2007 P 8 Scott, publisher media
Caravan Ronald b. 1946 Sonata 2007 P 14
Cockcroft Barry b. 1972 Beat Me 1996 U 7 Riedl-Komppa, composer site
Cunningham Michael b. 1937 Trigon, op. 31 1969 P 10 Houlik, Tenor Tapestry
Premiere Solo (Andante et
Demersseman Jules 1833–1866 Bolero) 1866 P 4 Delangle, Historic Saxophone
DiPasquale James b. 1941 Sonata 1967 P 10 Mauk, Tenor Excursions
Duckworth William 1943–2012 A Ballad in Time and Space 1968 P ca. 3 Timing flexible Hemke, The American Saxophonist
Duckworth William 1943–2012 Pitt County Excursions 1972 P 4 Mauk, Tenor Excursions
Ewazen Eric b. 1954 Classical Concerto 1992 O 23 Houlik, Orchestral Music...of Ewazen
Fiocco Joseph-Hector 1703–1741 Concerto in G Major NA O 12 arr. Bazelaire/Londeix Arai, Fantasia
Fisher-
Lochhead Chris b. 1984 Ventriloquist 2012 U 5 Muncy, Snydacker, composer site
Classical Tenor Saxophone Resource Guide
Keeney et al., 2018
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LAST FIRST DATES PIECE YEAR TYPE TIME NOTES RECORDING(S) (links when available)
Frackenpohl Arthur b. 1924 Sonata 1990 P 10 Houlik, Tenor Tapestry
Franck César 1822–1890 Sonata in A Major 1886 P 25 Originally violin, arr. from cello Tomioka, Épisode Quatrième
Oishi, Dai Fujikura: Flare
Fujikura Dai b. 1977 Sakana 2007 U 9 Also for clarinet Muncy, live at Lincoln Center
Garrop Stacy b. 1969 Wrath 2016 P 14 Recording exclusive until Dec 8, 2018
Houlik, American Saxophone
Gould Morton 1913–1996 Diversions 1990 O 25 Roberts, Vocalise
Bijl, Chant du Saxophone Ténor
Hartley Walter 1927–2016 Poem 1967 P 4 Hemke, The American Saxophonist
Hartley Walter 1927–2016 Sonata 1974 P 11 Mauk, Tenor Excursions
Hasquenoph Pierre 1922–1982 Concertino, op. 34 1976 O 10 Information on publisher site
Helfritz Hans 1902–1995 Concerto 1945 O 15 Information on publisher site
McAllister, Glint
Hurel Phillippe b. 1955 Opcit 1984 U 13 Nabb, Tangled Loops
Delangle, The Solitary Saxophone
Jolas Betsy b. 1926 Épisode Quatrième 1983 U 9 Tomioka, Épisode Quatrième
Karlins M. William 1932–2005 Music for Tenor Saxophone 1969 P 10 Hemke, The American Saxophonist
Kennedy Matthew b. 1987 Concerto 2017 O 12 Rollefson, composer site
Kittappa Ravi NA Kuba 2015 E 15 Fusik, composer media
Lacour Guy 1932–2013 Pièce Concertante 1976 O 10 For alto or tenor saxophone Information on publisher site
Lauba Christian b. 1952 Hard 1988 U 12 Bornkamp, Reed My Mind
Lauba Christian b. 1952 Hard Too Hard 2001 U 11 Otto, Hard Too Hard
Gyn and Vir from Neuf 1992– Versavaud, Lauba: Neuf études pour
Lauba Christian b. 1952 études 1994 U 4, 3 Book 2 saxophone
Levaillant Denis b. 1952 Manhattan Rhapsody 2003 P 12 Goury, Manhattan Rhapsody
Martin Frank 1890–1974 Ballade 1940 O 9 arr. by composer from trombone Bijl, Chant du Saxophone Ténor
Marquez-
Barrios Victor b. 1977 Concentric Circles 2012 P 10 Nichol, Tenor Attitudes
Mellits Marc b. 1966 Frost 2011 U 12 Hunger, composer site
Albums
Commercial albums referenced in the Solo Repertoire List are notated here in full.
Educational Resources
Other Resources
Reference Books
• Houlik/Lauver: The Complete Saxophonist (2007)
• Kientzy, Daniel: Les sons multiples aux saxophones (1982)
• Londeix, Jean-Marie: A Comprehensive Guide to the Saxophone Repertoire 1844–2003 (2003)
• Londeix, Jean-Marie: Hello! Mr. Sax or Parameters of the Saxophone (1989)
• Rascher, Sigurd: Top Tones for the Saxophone: Four Octave Range (1983)
• Ronkin/Frascotti: The Orchestral Saxophonist (1978) [two volumes]
• Rousseau, Eugene: High Tones: A Systematic Approach to the Extension of the Range of
All the Saxophones: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone (1991)
• Sinta, Donald: Voicing: An Approach to the Saxophone's Third Register (1992)
• Teal, Larry: The Art of Saxophone Playing (1963)
• Watkins, Mark: From the Inside Out: An In-Depth Resource for the Development of
Saxophone Sound (2018)
• Weiss/Netti: Die Spieltechnik Des Saxophons (The Techniques of Saxophone Playing) (2009)
YouTube Channels
• Michael Lowenstern [clarinetist; tips and equipment reviews for single reed players]
• Edward Goodman (Univ. of Arizona) [“Solos for Young Saxophonists”]
• Taimur Sullivan (Northwestern University) [fundamentals]
• Robert Young (Univ. of North Carolina School of the Arts) [fundamentals]
The Saxophonist’s Anatomy (Steven Jordheim) [endoscopic videos of oral cavity and vocal tract while
playing saxophone—potentially graphic material for some viewers]