Sax 130 Top!

Matthias Böyer, a freelance saxophonist and member of various symphony orchestras such as the WDR and SDR, teaches saxophone at the Havixbeck Music School and the Christoph Stöver Secondary School in Oer-Erkenschwick. His two-volume saxophone school for children (from the age of eight) introduces young players to the instrument with lots of fun, funny illustrations and well-known songs. The first volume has also been published in English: "Sax 130 Top!".

Before the 20 musical lessons begin, there is a detailed introduction for the teacher, parents and about the history of the instrument. The basics, about the assembly of the instrument, the posture while playing and the correct blowing technique, are explained in a child-friendly way and supported with many pictures and drawings.

In the clearly arranged lessons, the range of the instrument is increased from chapter to chapter and the music theory is introduced in a practical way: Dotted half notes, quarter notes and the corresponding rest values, syncopations, sustaining and slurs and dynamic signs. Thus, at the end of the first volume, the student can play pieces in a range from g to c'''. Each new note is graphically illustrated with a fingering diagram, jazz-rock practice patterns and a minor pentatonic on the subject of improvisation show the young player what is musically and technically possible on the instrument and whet the appetite for more. The topic of improvisation is developed at an early stage in the book, as the author has found in his lessons that children approach the subject with more open minds than young people. Three quizzes within the book consolidate what has been learned and the respective level of knowledge. Of the 30 songs and simple pieces, 23 are recorded on the CD in two versions: for listening and playing along. 6 duets and 2 trios prepare the student for ensemble playing.

The second volume "Saxophone from 140" is intended as a challenging continuation of the learning content and skills on the saxophone. Therefore, the student must not lose the desire and time to practise. Topics of the volume include: Instrument lore (reeds, body, mouthpieces), polyphony, homophony, musical styles of u-music, enharmonic confusion, swing phrasing, improvisation and even more. The stylistic spectrum of the chosen pieces ranges from Beethoven's "An die Freude" to folklore (e.g. "Greensleeves"), film scores (e.g. "Pink Panter") and the swing classic "In the mood". After successfully working through this school, the student will be able to easily find his/her way in a student big band or act independently in a band.