beginners tunes

[kb]

Hi there

Beeing a new player im starting to get comfortable with my long, half and quarter notes and would like to take the next step and put it all together in some small easy music pieces. Im wondering if any of you could give me any good suggestions for beginning pieces?and where i could find the nodes for these?

 

[Bobby G]

I don't know where you'd find 'em on the net, or what style you're playing in, but 'Summertime' and 'Autumn Leaves' are good places to start - relatively easy tunes that can be played well in more than one key.

 

[losaavedra]

'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' (I think MJQ did that once) also 'Over the Rainbow' spring to mind as pretty straightforward. If you want to exercise your ability to vary keys within a song go for 'Mack The Knife' (tune is simple but the changes make it tricky!).
For a heap of (70-ish) backing tracks go see:
http://www.playalongstudio.com/
... which has been mentioned here before and is well worth a visit.

 

[kb]

thx guys that gives me something to work with 🙂

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi KB!

What do you have by way of tutor books etc? It all depends on your taste in music but do a google of jazzwise website and musicroom website, both of which have all sorts of tune books at all sorts of standards which should provide lots of interest and a good challenge, and many include CDs so you can often hear how they should sound, which can be helpful. Also there is a series called "Creative Saxophone" which may be worthwhile checking out, though may be a little advanced - see what you think.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[sparrow]

Have you tried any of the Aebersold books?

 

[peedee]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Hi KB!

What do you have by way of tutor books etc? It all depends on your taste in music but do a google of jazzwise website and musicroom website, both of which have all sorts of tune books at all sorts of standards which should provide lots of interest and a good challenge, and many include CDs so you can often hear how they should sound, which can be helpful. Also there is a series called "Creative Saxophone" which may be worthwhile checking out, though may be a little advanced - see what you think.

Kind regards
Tom

Yes I agree with that. Apart from the "tune a day" type tutor books I have bought all the saxophone music books I can find and pick out all the 'easy' tunes. ie not too many sharps and flats.
Much more interesting than the tutor books as well, as you're playing better tunes. It also helps if you know the tune and the words to get the expression (I think that's the right word) correct. This is all assuming you can read and not just playing be ear. I wish I could play by ear but i guess it comes with practice. Also, I check all my cd's to see if i have the tune on disc to compare it with the music. Mind you, if like me, you are into jazz you can find the same tune recorded by three different artists and they all sound different, and none of them much like the written music. That gives me much satisfaction, maybe my version would pass muster in a jazz club!!