Why should saxophonists listen to saxophone music?

It is important for saxophone players to become familiar with the saxophone’s sound - hearing the saxophone’s tonal capabilities helps the player develop a tonal concept of the saxophone. Having a clear realisation of what the saxophone sounds like is fundamental to playing the instrument. By having an appreciation of the saxophone’s tonal possibilities (i.e. different saxophonist’s have different sounds and each saxophonist has many variations of tone colour) will help you develop your own unique sound.

Listening is also very important to develop musicality (musicality is the ability to play expressively, with feeling and emotion). By listening to a recording, you will become aware of how the artist is playing the music, not just what they are playing. Listen out for dynamics (louds and softs), tempo (speed), tempo variations (speed changes), gradation of tone (getting louder and softer), variation of tone colour, quality of tone, quality of articulation (tonguing and slurring) etc. Compare different artist’s recordings of the same piece and you will become aware of the importance of interpretation and the variation of interpretation. It will also help you to distinguish the differences in playing style.

Developing your of musicality

The most musical instrument of all is the human voice. Because the voice sings words, which tell a tale, there is an intimate relationship between words and music. This relationship allows the singer to express more easily the emotional content of the music. By listening to singers, instrumentalists will develop a greater appreciation of how to play musically and broaden the emotional range in their music.

Here is a list of some of the most renowned jazz singers, listen to them – Louis Armstrong, Betty Carter, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Jimmy Rushing, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington

Here is a list of some of the most renowned jazz saxophonists, listen to them – Julian Cannonball Adderley, Michael Brecker, Benny Carter, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, Eric Dolphy, Jimmy Dorsey, Jan Garbarek, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Henderson, Johnny Hodges, Gerry Mulligan, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, Courtney Pine, Joshua Redman, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Ben Webster

For information on these artist - click on the following link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Jazz_saxophonists

A good place to start for the novice is 2 of the greatest jazz albums

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis - with Julian “Cannonbal” Adderley and John Coltrane on saxophones
Cantolupe Island - Herbie Hancock –with George Coleman and Dexter Gordon on saxophones

Just a few great CD’s

The Ultimate Blue Train – John Coltrain
My Favorite Things – John Coltrain
Giant Steps – John Coltrain
Crescent – John Coltrain
Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins
Night At The Village Vanguard - Sonny Rollins
Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet - Miles Davis
Miles Davis - Greatest Hits - Miles Davis
Miles Ahead - Miles Davis