Saxophone Lessons (page 2)
Create stunning sax solos over Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man! Whether you’re an alto or tenor player, this complete guide will teach you essential improvisation strategies that truly make your solos sing!
Discover the clear, step-by-step strategy to crafting solos that sound musical, engaging, and professional. In this tutorial, we’ll dive into the techniques and mindset needed...
Unlock the secrets of Herbie Hancock’s iconic Maiden Voyage! This deep-dive tutorial is designed for both alto and tenor sax players, offering everything you need to master this stunning piece of modal jazz from 1965.
Discover the incredible power of iReal Pro! In this in-depth tutorial.
Be one of the next 15 people to download my Major Scales Course and receive a free iReal Pro code!
Unlock the power of the Dorian scale in this saxophone tutorial! Whether you’re playing alto or tenor, this video dives into an essential pattern that can revolutionise your improvisation...
Here we dive deep into the melody and master six innovative improvisation techniques, ranging from straightforward to advanced, ensuring there's something for everyone...
Unlock the secrets of Maceo Parker's fabulous lick from The Chicken! This legendary lick (heard at 2:28 in the original recording) is a must-know for any saxophonist.
Ready to transform your improvisation and technique? In this Practice With Me tutorial, we dive into a powerful triads exercise for both alto and tenor saxophone.
I’ve got some exciting news to share! I’ve created a new Tune Tutorial Series for the jazz classic 'Cantaloupe Island'. These go beyond the basics, with a focus on melody, timing, chord charts and improvisation.
Timing and phrasing are two of the biggest struggles I see with saxophone players in my private lessons. If your phrasing is off, even the most beautiful tune can become unrecognisable - or worse, sound like gobbledygook!
In this ‘Practice with Me’ video, we break down a classic Dexter Gordon major 2-5-1 lick from his iconic recording of Blue Bossa on the 1977 album 'Biting the Apple'. Together, we’ll explore and play this lick in all 12 keys...
Ready to take your music to the streets? Join me as I dive into the world of UK and world busking! From choosing the perfect spot to essential equipment, permits, and nine top tips for captivating your audience, I've got you covered.
I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my website, now packed with free resources and exclusive courses designed to help saxophonists everywhere elevate their playing!
In this tutorial, we’re taking a unique major scale pattern and moving it through all 12 keys, stepping up chromatically! This practice will help you develop fluidity and confidence across your saxophone, regardless of key.
Create a straightforward solo over the 'Cry Me a River' chord chart, as played by Dexter Gordon. I break down the entire chord structure so it’s easy to understand...
You asked and I answered! I aimed to answer all the questions that had been sent to me in the part 1 of this video. We discuss everything from practice techniques to busking to tone production and chords...
You asked and I answered! I aimed to answer all the questions that had been sent to me in the part 1 of this video. We discuss everything from practice techniques to busking to tone production and chords...
Literally anything that you like...
It could be questions about gigging, being married to a singer, teaching, the kit that I use for sax playing or making youtube videos...
An incredibly smooth-sounding chromatic lick that fits perfectly over a major chord and works for both alto and tenor saxophone. Practicing licks in all keys is a well-known method for developing your saxophone skills...
We explore one of Kirk Whalum's licks taken from his SessionBand app and take it through all 12 keys in a 'practice with me' format - perfect for both alto and tenor sax players. Lots of free resouces too...
In this video, we dive into the age-old debate: is success in music (and life) down to natural talent, or is it all about putting in the hard work?
If your scales feel like you're stomping up and down stairs, it’s time to rethink your technique. I’ll share a simple but powerful mindset shift that will completely transform how you play.
In this video, we study a superb piece of Blues vocabulary - a very cool lick that I have created especially for this video. We study it for both alto and tenor sax, listening to it played on its own and in the context of a wider solo...
If you've taken a break from playing the saxophone and feel some resistance when thinking about picking it up again, this video is just for you. Whether it’s been weeks, months, or even decades since you last played, you’re not alone...
Here is a 2-5-1 (II-V-I) backing track that I made using Logic Pro. You can use this to practice chord tones, scales, licks and patterns. I really hope that you like it! It's in Concert C (D for tenor and A for alto).
In this video, we dive into a classic piece of jazz vocabulary—a wonderful lick known as 'The Banana Lick'. We study it for both alto and tenor sax, listening to it played on its own and in the context of a wider solo.
MODES! Do they fill you with dread? If you’re confused, unclear, unsure, or even terrified by the concept of modes like I used to be, this video is here to help! We take a deep dive into fully understanding modes...
In this video, we begin by ensuring a complete understanding of what a minor scale is, explaining the ‘recipe’ for building one. Using D minor (D-7) as our key example, we break down what 'D-7' means as a chord symbol...
Shared insights on how to play saxophone alongside a singer to achieve the best possible results. You’ll learn when to play, what to play and key strategies every saxophonist should know...
Today I’m diving deep into one of the most important aspects of saxophone playing – developing a great sound! Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your tone, this video covers everything you need to know.
We dive into the legendary phrase every musician seems to know: 'The Lick'. Whether you’ve heard it in jazz, pop, or classical, it has become a staple of improvisation, so today we're breaking it down and giving it some context.
Often, scales feel abstract and disconnected from practical playing, which makes them hard to stick. But the truth is, your brain craves functional, practical, and fun things—not something that feels boring and pointless!
In this video I break down essential practice areas for saxophonists at different skill levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Part 2: Welcome to Part 2 of my tutorial series on playing saxophone with a DJ! In this video we’re diving into the essential gear you’ll need to make your performance seamless and professional...
Part 1: This is the first in a 2-part tutorial series where I’ll guide you through the most essential skill you need - identifying the key of the tune the DJ is playing. And here’s the best part - anyone can do this!
In this video, we dive into an important question that many saxophonists face: Should I take my sax on holiday? This is a topic that often comes up in my private lessons, so I wanted to share some insights with you.
In this video, we're going to take a step back and reflect on your journey with learning the sax. Sometimes, it’s important to pause and evaluate where you are so you can gain a clearer understanding of how to move forward.
In this tutorial, we’re going to explore a classic Paul Desmond lick from his solo on 'Black Orpheus'. This phrase is quintessential Desmond - smooth, melodic and full of subtle sophistication.
In this tutorial, we’re diving into one of John Coltrane’s most iconic pieces: 'A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgement'. Specifically, we’ll be focusing on the powerful four-note riff that Coltrane plays around 4:55 into the track.
Are you hesitant to take the leap into improvisation on the saxophone? You're not alone! In this video, I’ll show you how to overcome the fear of improvising and start expressing yourself with confidence.
In this video we take a detailed look at 4 very common chord types and make sure that you understand them completely. I explain them in the same way that I explain them to my private clients...
In this video, we explore an exciting exercise to help you smoothly transition from a major to a minor key. I'll explain why this technique sounds so beautiful and provide written scales for you to screenshot at the end.
My comprehensive review of Tomplay, an innovative platform that’s changing the way musicians practice and perform. Whatever level you are, Tomplay offers a unique set of tools designed to enhance your musical journey.
Practicing licks in all 12 keys is just the smart thing to do. The world’s top musicians definitely do this kind of practice and in this video I show you a super cool and extremely useful major scale lick...
Here are all your major scales, the most important thing that you can practice!
An easy-to-follow series of 12 videos for saxophone...
The environment in which you practice is key. If you have a clean, well organised and well lit space with everything that you need to hand - then you are so much more likely to enjoy spending time practising.
Practising the same lick in all 12 keys is something that great sax players do. In this video, we take a very cool lick that is similar to the kind of thing Stan Getz might play.
Imagine a world class pianist, bass player and drummer accompanying you while you were practising scales, chords, tunes or improvisation on the sax. Well, with the SessionBand Jazz apps, you can have exactly that.
A deep dive into a 12-bar blues for tenor sax. I explain the structure, the chord chart including a thorough description of what type of chords are used with a full explanation of how to understand this type of chord.
A suggestion has been made to me - a helpful way to organise your practice sessions on the saxophone is where you dividide however much time you have into thirds.
Scales are incredibly beautiful ... but to see the real beauty of them, it helps a lot if we can play them to a backing track of some kind and in this video, that's what I talk about.
This video is aimed at people who might be buying a sax for the first time and who aren’t sure what the options are.
Altered scales sound really jazzy and are a fantastic sound to have under your fingers. It's easy when you know how and they sound awesome over a '251' - which is what I demonstrate in this video.
In this video we study three extremely cool minor scale licks played by world-class sax player, Andy Panayi. We study each lick, understand the structure of each one so that we can see how he arrived at this lick.
What I share with you in this video will change your sax playing completely. I tell you about the one thing that you can do that will make playing the sax 100 times easier, more fun and sound so much better.
How to use one simple idea to improvise over the whole chord structure for the classic jazz tune 'Summertime'. I show you work out the notes for a blues scale in any key and how to create superb licks and phrases over this tune.
How to use one simple idea to improvise over the whole chord structure for the classic jazz tune 'Summertime'. I show you work out the notes for a blues scale in any key and how to create superb licks and phrases over this tune.
Do we really need to be able to read music? In this video we think about this contentious question! Do we have to be able to read music if we're to play the sax? Is it essential? Are we inadequate if we don’t?
We take a detailed look at Dorian minor scales, making sure that you understand the construction of them. Then we look at where they come up in music and how to use them...
Chord tones are amazingly useful for improvisation and if we can hit the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th notes of a minor scale, then you don't need to much more than that to sound TOTALLY AWESOME!
Chord tones are amazingly useful for improvisation and if we can hit the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th notes of a major scale, then you don't need to much more than that to sound TOTALLY AWESOME!
In this video we take a deep dive into the chord chart of the classic jazz tune 'Misty'. We make sure that we understand all of the chords and I give you a really nice, straightforward way of improvising through this gorgeous tune.
In this video we take a deep dive into the chord chart of the classic jazz tune 'Misty'. We make sure that we understand all of the chords and I give you a really nice, straightforward way of improvising through this gorgeous tune.
Improvising on the alto sax: putting licks, patterns and scales together.
In this video we put together and combine some of the ideas that I have shared with you in previous videos to make a cool solo.
A music stand was sent to me by KraftGeek. I’m not being paid by this company for this review so this video is completely honest. You can watch me unbox it and try to figure out how to set it up, and what I really think of it.
In this video we explore a simple but highly effective way of improvising in a major scale situation, using the chord tones of the scale. It's easy to follow, fun and extremely cool sounding. I hope you find it helpful!