The Art of Saxophone Playing [Paperback]

Larry Teal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1963

According to Larry Teal, the best method of learning to play the saxophone is to study with a competent teacher. Teal's studies were mostly of instruments other than the saxophone, but as a student at a Chautauqua summer session, he came under the influence of Georges Barr?re, the eminent French flutist. He played bass clarinet with the Detroit Symphony, but he continued to be absorbed by the saxophone. As a result of his acquired expertise and growing reputation, he was appointed to a full-time faculty position as a saxophone teacher by the University of Michigan -- the first ever to receive such an appointment from a major university. During his 21-year tenure, he attracted students from all over, thus exerting an ever widening influence on saxophone teaching and performing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Summy-Birchard (June 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874870577
• ISBN-13: 978-0874870572
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

174 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible for Saxophone, March 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Saxophone Playing (Paperback)

This book is the widely acknowledged prime source for saxophone information. Every sax player should have it! It brings together a wealth of information about many aspects of saxophone playing that is not available in any other single source. It explains the embouchure (lip) needed to play and even has exercises for helping to develop it. It has a fingering chart including alternate fingerings. It also has a very useful chart of pitch alteration fingerings - if your instrument has a few notes that are flat or sharp (very common), then these fingerings can be used to bring them back in tune with the rest of the horn. The essentials of breathing for saxophone are also discussed, again including exercises for developing breath control. The various aspects of tone control are discussed thoroughly. Also the legato and staccatto techniques and how to properly tongue a note are explained very clearly. Mouthpiece terminology and design considerations are shown. Advanced exercises are also given for "mastering the technique". This involves learning to keep the fingers in contact with the keys, proper hand positioning, etc. Doubling (i.e., playing a second instrument, like a clariniet) is often required of the saxophonist and this is discussed. Altissimo fingerings are also shown, although only the advanced students will be interested in them.

88 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First the "craftsman", then the artist, May 29, 2000

By 

Thomas Dworschak - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Saxophone Playing (Paperback)

Everyone who wants to make a real art of his saxophone playing should have this book. The author first describes the technical matters of the instrument itself: what you should look at if you buy a new saxophone, mouthpiece (with detailed explanations of its parts) or reed (with hints how to adjust it). Then he wants to train the physical conditions of the player, i. e. posture when playing, breathing and embouchure (both with several exercises that can be done without the instrument, just in order to control and strengthen the concernded muscles). He also tells a lot about tone quality, how to produce a vibrato, how to make dynamics correctly and how to pitch notes that are not OK on the instrument. A trill chart is also included in the book. For more advanced players, Teal includes fingerings for the very high register of the saxophone and some information about double tonguing and doubling (playing another woodwind instrument).

The author doesn't want to teach the player improvisation and such things, although they are widely required. His aim is "craftsmanship", and his background when he wrote the book was to make the saxophone more common to "classical music". Teal's idea is that the saxophone player only can be an artist if he masters the technical matters of his instrument, and then he can proceed to playing what he likes. His book is a very good help for every player to learn everything what is necessary for a good playing skill.

50 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A professional's opinion, April 9, 2001

By 

private (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Saxophone Playing (Paperback)

Hello there fellow saxophone players. I hold degrees in classical and jazz saxophone. I've been playing for 16 years and teaching for 10. This book is a good read, and provides much of the supplementary information that can help you on your way. However, there is no substitute for a great teacher. Any teacher worth their salt will lend their copy of this book to you, by the way. A comment about the information on the emboucher. There are generally two ways of forming the emboucher, this is more tense of the two. So that poor guy from China that changed his emboucher to a closed position (as opposed to lip out) no doubt that was a lot of work. A beautiful sound is the goal, whichever emboucher you choose. You may email me at [e-mail] if you have more questions about saxophone playing. I'd recommend everyone buy this book for an interesting and informative read. If you're learning the saxophone on your own, you need a book with music! I'd suggest Rubank Elementary Method for Saxophone