Does anyone have any ideas for some good saxophone music (alto) for players of about grades 6, 7, possibly 8 level? It's for a couple of pupils. I have a lot of the music on the AB lists already but would like to explore other music with them.

One of them really enjoys the books where you play-along with a CD but I've found that there aren't many books like this at this particular level. I have a couple of suitable books but just wondered if there are any others out there that I don't know about?

Looking for some inspiration really.

Thanks in anticipation of ideas

There are a few saxophone solo books, 'Saxmania' for example, that have 'famous' tunes that feature saxophone solos - Careless Whisper, Baker Street etc.

Also de haske publications have books like Concert Studies, Performance Studies etc, and I think most of those come with a CD. You could also try Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player by Larry Teal?

A shameless plug, but have you looked at the music published by Astute Music, which is composed by the Apollo Saxophone Quartet? They have some good stuff, wide ranging, studies, duets, pieces with piano accomp, unaccompanied etc.

Thanks Scaramouche, I'll look into those. I have a couple of books with CDs published by de Haske which are great so will try and find their website for some more potential books.

I think I have the Larry Teal book - it's the one with the green cover isn't it?

Just found the Astute Music website - are they any pieces that you'd recommend? I have the Cafe Europa book which I like.

Thanks again

Larry Teal - green cover, yes!

Astute - I have Cafe Europa, Solo Saxophone Book 1, Saxophone and Piano Book 1, Changing Times and Duet Books 1 and 2 - thought some of those have gone walkabouts . They're all good, the solo saxophone stuff will need a pupil with good rhythm for many of the pieces, as some are quite tricky in that respect. Pete Meechan's 3 pieces for solo sax are great too, can sound really atmospheric when played well.

I like the look of some of those. I also thought "Kitty's Wishes" looked nice.

One of the pupils who I have in mind for this new music gets through music so quickly. She's taking grade 7 next so I'm hoping to find something new and exciting for her to play after the exam.

Jim Snidero - Intermediate Jazz Conception

These are tunes based on chord sequences of jazz standards and given barely disguised names (because chord sequences aren't copyrightable!). They're written in the style of a head plus solo but there is no improvisation. I'm not sure about the standard in terms of grade, but I sort of class myself in the broad grade 6-8 band and I found I can sight-read the first few OK but as I get further in I'm having to work a lot harder to get timing etc correct.

I was thinking of getting Kitty's Wishes in the near future. I think it's great that you can view a page or two of the piece online, helps deciding if it is suitable or not!

That's a brilliant idea... I wish more places did that, it would often help!

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I like that too - hope more online places will start doing it



Thanks TSax, will look into that one

I assume it may be something to do with copyright or some such, that other places don't do it? Astute are relatively new, don't know how many people know about them, and perhaps do it to try to get up and running more? All the music there is published by them, whereas other sites e.g. musicroom etc have lots of various publishing companies. I don't know, but it's good that Astute do what they do.

Yes, I'm sure you're right - presumably it's a lot easier if it's music that's being sold by the folks who own the copyright!

I know I've come across a site that does it with public domain stuff.... forget where though - think maybe it's an American site.

I'm sure that in some cases it would encourage people to buy though, it's a shame it's not more widespread.

I think it may be to do with the people who compose the music that Astute Music publishes... a lot of it is written by Andy Scott - he's a terrific guy (read an interview with him in the latest CASS magazine) and if you want to know anything about any of the music, playing level etc, then I am sure he would be happy to help.
He also works a lot with Rob Buckland who writes music and also plays fantastically (mostly sop and alto). Tim Redpath writes some music too and they all play with the Apollo...

Andy also runs Saxassault... check them out!

I believe that Scaramouche has or had lessons with Andy Scott

yes, I think I remember seeing that mentioned.
He's great and so helpful

Had lessons with him for the past 2 years, last one on Monday...