5 comments about The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool.

1. Fans of the saxophone must have Michael Segell's THE DEVIL'S HORN: THE STORY OF THE SAXOPHONE, FROM NOISY NOVELTY TO KING OF COOL: it tells how just ten years after Sax completed his first prototype in 1843 the horn had traveled across the country and throughout Europe to change the musical world. The sax was banned by Nazis and Communists, and religious leaders alike which deemed the instrument 'profane'. Its volatile history receives a charged, lively survey by Michael Segell, NY Daily News editor who is himself an amateur saxophone player.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. This was a very enjoyable book to read. It brought out, in a way I had not read before, the very human quality of voice of the saxophone. Now I can smile even more when I hear angels sing through the "Devil's Horn".



3. A great book about the history of the Saxophone. Was recommended to me by others.



4. Michael Segell's book on the story of the instrument I play, the saxophone, is a real page-turner, like a good novel that you can't put down. Unlike other tomes on the saxophone, Segell has taken more of a chatty, non-academic approach and interspersed between the fascinating study and interviews with some of the greats on the saxophone, is his own story of learning to play himself. This adds an extra dimension to the study and Segell comes across like your best friend, you really care how his playing is going and you feel by the end of the book that you know him personally.
   
   Segell's section on the trials and tribulations of Adolphe Sax, although much already known by this reviewer is nevertheless interesting and comes across like a report in a newspaper, getting to the nitty gritty of the atempted murder of Sax.
   
   I have no hesitation in recommnending this book to my fellow musicians.



5. A fabulously enjoyable read! Terrific research and journalism!
   
   If I may suggest... anyone who finds this book flawed should presently consider completing their union with Sigurd Rascher and Marcel Mule in body and spirit.
   
   Great job, Mr. Segell! Thank you!

5 comments about Universal Method for Saxophone.

1. Back when I was playing every night, we referred to this as "The Bible." Anyone who aspires to play the sax should have a copy, even if it is "old school" by today's standards. This and a couple of "cheat books", with a good album collection, is all you need to learn to play the right way. Join a band and listen to everyone else, and hit a few licks when the time is right.



2. This is a great thing for students who have a hard time finding something to practice site reading with. As a student myself, I find myself excelling at improvisation only because I have all of the recourses at hand to do so. I used to faulter a little with my sight reading a while ago, but this new book has really helped me. I have already recommended it to many friends; I also recommend it to you!



3. This is an excellent book for the serious saxophone student. It covers all the major technical aspects of playing the saxophone in the normal range of Bb below to F above the staff: scales and arpeggios, breath control (if you follow the breath marks in the early exercises), phrasing, mastering the low range, mastering the high range, intervals, trills and embellishments, difficult fingering combinations, alternate fingerings, time signatures and syncopation, and all the keys(although the majority of exercises are in the common keys,especially C). The problem is the book is made up of mostly dry technical studies. No popular or folk tunes. No simplified classical themes or classic etudes. Just a few operatic arias, classical airs, and concert pieces for the intermediate/advanced player and beyond (maybe 60 out of 290 pages of music). That's why I think it's only for the serious student. Also, it's probably too difficult for most beginners with no experience learning on their own without a teacher.



4. Some interesting exercises and etudes. However the book is very dated. This book has not changed since 1929. I have an original 1929 version and the new book is an exact copy. The saxophone has evolved since 1929, and so should this book.
   
   There is no mention of any of modern saxophone technique. For example the book still refers to an archaic saxophone with right hand low Bb,B and C#keys, there are even has exercises based on this ancient key system. No modern saxophone have these keys. I have never seen a sax with these keys, although the idea is interesting.
   
   The book covers only your basic scales, major, and melodic minor. There is no mention of pentatonics, altered scales, whole tone, harmonics, multiphonics, altissimo etc.
   
   This is not a bad book to have in your collection, but you will need more than this Universal Method to become the next Michael Brecker.
   
   The title Universal Saxophone method may have been appropriate in 1929, it is certainly not appropriate for the year 2006.



5. Starts with a short but very good introduction into music reading. Good saxo use introduction (again quite short). And dedicates the rest of the book on musical partitures of learning and practicing exersises.

4 comments about Mel Bay Presents Jazz Saxophone Licks, Phrases and Patterns.

1. The exercise in this book are commonly heard phrases that can be played over standard chord sequences. As practice material they are great and the explanations are simple and enlightening. This is a good book for developing dexterity and a feel for the keys and scales. Improvising is much more than repeated practiced licks but working through this book will give a player some chops to fall back on as well as a wider understaning of what is possible.



2. All of Arnie Berle's books present the info in a clear, concise and logical way. I recommend you get your hands on as many of them as you can, while you can, especially if you're learning on your own. Any aspiring jazz musician can't have too many pattern books, and this one is a gem. 'Improvisation For The Contemporary Musician' and 'Encyclopedia of Scales, Modes and Melodic Patterns' also by Arnie are also highly recommended.



3. This is a great book to get ideas for Jazz licks. Excellent, not just for the saxophone, but other instruments in the same register can benefit from the instruction in this book. For me, coming from a classical music background, I'm using it with my violin to learn Jazz Violin and improvisation skills. This is quite a challenge, to say the least! These licks are very easy to learn, and not ridiculously difficult, which is what beginners to Jazz music really need.
   
   I really like the book and always have it on my music stand.



4. The books arrived earlier than expected (just in time for Christmas) and we're a big hit. Thanx!!!

4 comments about Technique of the Saxophone: Scale Studies.

1. This book is great because there are exercisers in every key signature which really makes you work. Working on all of the exercisers were very helpful to me because now a find it much easier to read in different keys. Very good book.



2. Joe was a wonderful human being. I studied with him at Berklee in the 80's. He was a great technician, and these are the same exercises that he used in his private lessons. These will definitely build your saxophone technique in all twelve keys, as well as improve your sight-reading. There's just about every conceivable kind of exercise in this book. when you've mastered this, go on to his second book: Chord Studies. You won't be sorry. Of course, they are rather challenging, so start slow, and build up your speed. Take a little at a time. Good luck!



3. I thought this would be a book with some explaining text, but it wasnt. So if you wanna practise scales and dont need any explaining text or input, history, etc, this is the one. If youre looking for a book explaining scales and want some more info, history, ways to learn to remember scales and so on, look for something else.



4. This is one of the finest books of it's kind that I've yet to see. Wonderfully done and should be in every players home.

5 comments about Top-Tones for the Saxophone: Four-Octave Range.

1. Playing the altissimo register on a sax isn't voodoo, it just takes work.

   Finger a low b flat and play long tones up the overtone series while holding this note. Change low fingerings and repeat. Seems easy enough... Not!

   Sigurd Rascher's book is essential because it teaches you embouchure control and ear training. An added bonus is that you get to extend your effective range on the instrument by an octave or so.

   In my view, intermediate players should start this type of training as soon as they conquer the basic tone production challenges. I have seen many a player literally "take-off" as a result of time spent in this book.

   While it may seem tempting to just the learn the fingerings and skip the exercises, don't do it. I tried the same thing years ago and picked up bad habits as well as out of tune fingerings.

   Pay your dues and follow the book. Ted Nash and Larry Teal have written books which also address the "falsetto" range of the saxophone.

   Get them...




2. This book provides a very good introduction to the overtone series in general on the saxophone, and the altissimo (flageollet) range in specific. Discussion on the usage of imagining the tones before playing them is excellent. Some of the later tonal exercises lack a good pedagogical focus but are useful. Some of the altissimo exercises incorporate too many overtone partials that are typically NOT in tune with Well-tempered tuning. This can cause learning to hear these tones out of tune. Overall, the best book on the market on this subject!



3. This book is a must for any saxophonist with intent of improving tone quality and centering pitch throughout the entire range. I have found that the overtones section is the best way to warm up in any situation. If your aim is to develop the upper range and altissimo, then get this book! Be sure to read the notes by Rascher!



4. There are two pages of introductory long tone excercises worth a whole lot more than the price of this book, and they don't even touch the extended register yet. Fantastic stuff!



5. Good material, some good exercises, fingering chart could be better, overall explanation can be improved, no CD, not suitable for altissimo intro for beginners.

2 comments about SAXOPHONE FINGERING CHARTS.

1. It should have been one piece like a placemat instead of being folded into thirds with a heavy laminate. I've got mine btwn heavy books hoping to make it lie flat.



2. I got a few finger charts from Amazon and this one is the best. It's very clear and easy to understand. I agree it's preferable NOT to be folded in 3 sections but my laminate wasn't so thick and it was easy to reverse fold it and thus make it lay flat.

5 comments about 25 Daily Exercises for Saxophone.

1. They say phrases from some of these Klose etudes found their way into Charlie Parker's musical vocabulary. When asked by Paul Desmond, Bird replied "It's not smoke and mirrors, some of it comes from books."



2. This book was a bit too challenging for me and seemed to be mostly scales. I prefer jazz songs etc... so maybe it was just a poor choice for me.



3. When it comes to playing any musical instrument, gaining mastery over the fundamentals of how to play said instrument forms the base of a musicians training. Yes, a large part is also sheer creativity, but being skilled in creating what you want, and how you want it, is first and foremost to being able to create music.
   
   That being said, the etudes enclosed in this book will work the full range of skills necessary to effectively play the saxophone. Range, articulation, accidentals, endurance, breathing, and phrasing are all worked in each exercise.
   
   If each etude is worked through methodically, starting out slowly and working towards full tempo, all of your playing skills should see improvement.
   I pair this with Jackie McClean's "Daily Warm-Up Exercises for Saxophone" to start each practice session, allowing me to drill the full range of scales, chords, and overall technique.



4. The daily exercises used by Charlie Parker. What more could a sax player want? Scholars have traced their influence in his recordings....



5. This book is really good if you want to master scale passages. I on the other hand, I really don't care for scale music like this. Very challenging!

4 comments about 101 Saxophone Tips: Stuff All the Pros Know and Use.

1. I gave it three stars because i found very usefull only half of the book. But for the price I'd say it's a good deal.



2. This book was both very useful and very enjoyable. I was a serious sax player for 20 years, quit playing almost completely for 30 years, and started to play seriously again after I retired (or quit my day job, whichever sounds better).
   
   There are tips about what to carry in your case, how to buy and maintain your horn, what your should practice, and more. This book contains stuff I knew, more stuff I had forgotten, and more that is new since I began playing again. There is a CD that shows examples and playalongs.
   
   This book is ideal for beginners and serious saxophonists. I recommend it heartily.



3. Interesting tips....
   
   Check out Larry Teal's book. Great for beginners and intermediate players.



4. This book is a bargain if you only use a few good tips that are shared. I've been playing alto for five years and got answers to questions I just couldn't get before. I studied under two real pro's but a lot of these tips were never discussed. The writer, Eric Morones, is a VERY accomplished saxophonist. I realized this when I bought his other book, 25 Great Sax Solos. He does all the sax work on that accompanying CD and he's PHENOMENAL. Knowing I was getting tips from this extremely talented musician made this 'Tips book' VERY valuable. Of course, not every tip is going to be an "ah-ha" experience, but buy the book if you're serious about being the best saxophonist you can be. Just five or six good tips is worth a lot more than the price of this book.
   
   I've gone back into this book a few times since I wrote the original review a few months ago. This book is GREAT! I have started using LOTS of great tips in this book. It's like having a seasoned Pro mentoring you in your practice. Following the guidance and advice in this book will make you a MUCH better saxophonist.

5 comments about Absolute Beginners: Alto Saxophone (Absolute Beginners).

1. This is just what I needed. It answers all my questions and I recommend this to anyone who wants to play an alto sax, but don't know where to begin. A must have.



2. I have this book only 2 weeks and wonder how perfectly and mature it's structure! It seems small book, you hardly find something in deep.. But... it has amazingly well sequence of learning, relevant tips. CD software is not working in Windows XP, but I extracted audio tracks and play them separately. Audio tracks helps a lot to follow the progress of learning. Respect for authors of this book!



3. good book for beginners easy to learn from before taking classes



4. I bought this with several other highly recommended books including "Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal (also great!). I found this beginners book essential once I actually start to play the sax. It is very clear and practical. It has the best photos of finger positions for specific notes... much better than other books.
   
   You will be glad (like me) to have it right there when you first start to blow notes from your sax...
   
   That's the highest recommendation I can give!



5. This book is really a step by step guide... the CD is very helpful for listening how the notes must sound.The photos inside are very helpful... Estos libros son una super ayuda para los que nos gusta avanzar sin maestro...las imagenes para la posición de los dedos es de mucha ayuda...el cd te dice como debe sonar cada nota... muy recomendado...

5 comments about Art of Saxophone Playing.

1. This book is a staple among saxophonists of all veins (jazz, classical, and anything else). It is a must-have, and for good reason. It gives insight in to every aspect of being a saxophonist, including some brief but helpful information on doubling. Some chapters are very in depth, though others are less so. A great find and worth every penny.



2. I have recently started learning the basics of saxophone playing. My knowledge of playing the Saxophone, and indeed any musical instrument, and also music theory is limited. However I found that the information in "The Art of Saxophone Playing" was very informative and the way it is set out has certainly been of great help.
   I think that the more advanced player will profit more from the information given in the later chapters. I'm hoping that as I improve I will better understand these chapters.



3. Great book!
   I just started learning to play the sax, and this book has given me
   an invaluable insight into the instrument and how to play it.
   I recommend it to anyone starting to play the saxophone, but the information is valuable even for established and professional players.



4. This book is considered by many to be the "Saxophonist's Bible." A great book with many illustrations and practical advice for playing the saxophone.



5. When it comes to the saxophone, this book covers it all. Embouchure, posture, the parts of the horn, the history of the horn, reeds, fingering, you name it and it's in this book. It's surprisingly in depth on every front, even having a section on the altissimo register. This really is among the must haves of any saxophone player's library.
   
   Having said that, this is in no way the ONLY book you should have. While it contains warm up exercises, actually buying a decent scale/chord study book should be a high priority. Also, if you're serious about learning the 3rd and 4th octaves, you need to buy a good high register book.
   
   Ultimately, for me at least, this book comes down to more of an encyclopedia as opposed to a bible. It can take you really far, but you're eventually going to need to buckle down with specialty resources.