About THE SAXOPHONE BOOK...
THE SAXOPHONE BOOK comes from the innovative and creative mind of 3x Grammy winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band/Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, the Mu'tet). This 3-volume set is an extraordinarily thoughtful dissection and presentation of the musical fundamentals that Jeff calls "The Big 5".
1) Listening
2) Tone/Dynamics
3) Articulation
4) Rhythm/Time
5) Harmony
Why FUNDAMENTALS?
Jeff believes that fundamentals are the 'roots' of musical learning and, in order for the student to grow, they need strong roots. These books help develop and/or strengthen the fundamentals using a variety of creative and fun musical concepts, exercises, and ideas. From developing life long practice habits to sharing personal and philosophical ideas about music and musical spirit, Coffin has codified, and now made available, the wide array of materials that have made him one of the most recognized and sought after players, and educators, on today's scene.
How to USE THE SAXOPHONE BOOK...
It's very simple. A metronome, tuner, patience, and good practice habits are all you need. These books are designed to allow students to 'self-progress'. However, Jeff always recommends some kind of consistent private instruction when possible.
To get started, read through the intro pages. Then, start with Book 1, exercise #1. Choose a slow tempo on your metronome and start playing. Move your tempo up as you get more comfortable with each exercise. These exercises should be repeated. Many times. Remember, it's a PROCESS. Through repetition comes magic...
The RESULTS...
The results are many and will occur rapidly! Superior listening, tone, dynamics, intonation, articulation, rhythm, time, and a deep understanding of harmony are all results of working on fundamentals. Every musician i know continues to work on the fundamentals throughout their career. It's a never ending process. When the student has made a thoughtful study of these 3 volumes, they will have a much deeper understanding of the fundamentals as well as a high level of technical proficiency and musical competency on their instrument.
These are also great books for a more seasoned player looking for different ways of approaching material they have already studied. This is a tried and true method!
A little HISTORY...
For well over 15 years, since the early Bela Fleck & the Flecktones days (late 20th Century), Coffin has worked on and developed this material. He began compiling exercises for his students in Finale, and later Sibelius, so as to avoid writing the same things out time and again. This snowballed into Jeff entering hundreds of pages of his personal exercises into the computer. What you see here is the result of that work. Literally, hundreds, and likely, thousands of hours have been spent putting these books together in as concise and clear a way as possible to benefit the student. But, what to call it? After hours of deliberation, brainstorming, looking up words in the dictionary, writing down combinations of words and phrases on paper, and mumbling to himself through a closed hand so as to not be heard mumbling to himself, Coffin finally came up with an astonishingly brilliant title...THE SAXOPHONE BOOK - Ok, maybe it's not so astonishing but it seems appropriate since every time Jeff talked about it he would start off by saying "So, I'm writing this saxophone book..."