Studies Ferling Etude

[agganitk]

Hello
I will say I am a beginner. Anyway I am learning Alto Saxophone since last 1 year. I have completed Major, Natural Minor and Harmonic Scales. I have also done lot of exercises told by my teacher.

I heard that anyone looking to learn saxophone seriously should go for Ferling 48 Etude. Before I spend my energy and time, I want to ask experience players what are their views?
Will I be able to learn it myself with little help from the teacher? When I started Saxophone I wanted to learn just as a hobby, but now I am getting ambitious. Are all of these Etude for advanced players?


Any suggestions and comments ??

 

[MandyH]

hi agganik.
welcome to the cafe. When you get a minute, please pop along to The Doorbell forum and say hi and tell is a bit about yourself.

As for the Ferling studies - I have the books - (1st Oboe and 2nd Oboe and English horn - 48 Famous Studies for Oboe or Saxophone and 3 Duo concertants).
I bought them to play one of the duets with my daughter.
I would put myself in the "advanced intermediate" category. For me, playing saxophone is a hobby, but I play for several hours each week with others. My daughter is studying clarinet at college and is far more talented than I am.

We played the duet recently. [a rather poor recording of it is here: http://snd.sc/15zGKZ6 if you wanted to here it.]
I am playing tenor sax, she is playing clarinet.

or these 2 players here, starting at about 1 minute into the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of5RDwntyD4


Looking at the book, I would say that the 48 Ferlings studies are at or above my level. Some are very fast others have lots of semi-quaver and demi-semi-quaver runs or triplets, and numerous accidentals, key signatures range from no sharps or flats through to 6 flats or 6 sharps.

It might be something to aspire to, in 3-6 years time, but if you class yourself as a beginner, I would say do not waste your time, money or effort yet.

 

[Andante cantabile]

Frankly, If you have only been learning for a year (and if you do not have any previous experience on a wind instrument, the Ferlings are far above your standard. Yes, they have become a necessity for anyone interested in classical music, and if you are so inclined, you should go for them in time. In the meantime, do what your teacher advises you to do.

If you are familiar with the gradings system, they start at about 6 (No. 9), but most of them are far more involved.

You can get some slightly simplified Ferlings in 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone. No 43, for example, is Ferling No 10 and No 46 is Ferling No 21. They still give you a taste of the attractiveness of the Ferlings.

 

[agganitk]

Thanks for the replies,

Yes I agree Ferling etude will be way too hard for me. I am going for 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone Book 1. The best thing I read about it is it has progressive exercises, going from easy to hard. I hope it will not demotivate a beginner like me, and improve my skills. How is 80 Graded Studies for Saxophone Book 1 ? Any comment.

 

[Andante cantabile]

80 Graded Studies is in my view well arranged as far as the increase in difficulty goes. One thing I liked about it was the various pieces written by Paul Harris which have much more modern feel about them. The material is in the classical mode. If you finish this book, even if you leave out some of the ones that you find less interesting, you will reach quite a good level of playing.

 

[agganitk]

I got the book( 80 Graded ..) couple of weeks ago. I finished exercises up to 8 and feel good....i think it was right decision to buy this book.... thanks for suggesting..

Is there any place where I can listen to exercises of this book so that I can compare my playing ?

 

[Andante cantabile]

I am glad you like that book. IMV it is definitely graded properly. I have no idea where you would be able to listen to the pieces. Maybe a search on Youtube might help.