With progress through level three comes a real sense of accomplishment. The player should become a good, competent member of the saxophone section in the school band. An interest in stage band or ensemble music could be developing. One hour a day practice sessions should be routine, and as a result, the fingers should become totally comfortable in the patterns of the most used keys.

The activities that support continued development should be cultivated. Reeds should be carefully selected for vibrancy, response, tonal clarity and good dynamic range. Playing on old worn out reeds should be avoided. At least three well adjusted, broken in reeds should be maintained at all times.

If the alto saxophone has been the primary instrument up to this point, consideration might be given to playing tenor or baritone saxophone. If possible, a personal mouthpiece for the additional instrument(s) should be purchased. Care should be taken to select mouthpieces with a matched feel to avoid the necessity of severe embouchure changes when changing instruments.

Technique basics

1. Improve reliable and accurate reading of music, making school band and ensemble music routine.
2. Develop a quicker, more self assured approach to newly assigned music.
3. Learn to sense proper tempos.
4. Continue to refine tone in four aspects: greater beauty and depth; more power and softer dynamics; agility to control crescendos and diminuendos; development of a tasteful vibrato.
5. Master all articulations, staccato, legato and slurring, in any combination.
6. Perform scale patterns in thirds.
7. Perform solos publicly.

Theory basics

1. Know all major and minor scales up to four sharps and four flats.
2. Understand the construction of the tonic, dominant and subdominant chords and how these chords relate to the scales; recognize the scales and chords in the music being studied.
3. Develop the ability to sing and/or recognize any ascending interval up to a fifth from a given note.
4. Expand vocabulary of terms, signs and tempos encountered in the music being performed.
5. Study phrasing including the recognition of phrases and how they relate to one another.
   
   

LEVEL 3 STUDY MATERIAL

Hite, David: Foundation Studies
Contents:
Baermann Method, Part III

Continuing work in this volume, the familiar scales should begin to flow accurately. The tonic chords, broken chords and dominant seventh chords, and the interrupted and returning scales should flow well. The four sharps and four flats keys should be routine.

Hite, David: Melodious and Progressive Studies, Book 1
Contents:

Continued study in this book should develop good reading and style fluency. Efforts to stabilize a beautiful sound should be pursued carefully before approaching etudes requiring greater speed. Sensitivity to dynamics and tonal flexibility should be stressed and developed at this time.

Hite, David: Melodious and Progressive Studies, Book 2
Contents:

While refining the slower Nocentini and Baermann etudes of Book 1, it is well to begin practicing these Gambaro studies for finger and tongue dexterity. The key signatures of these etudes stay within three sharps and three flats so that these scale and chord patterns can be totally mastered. The studies for extra work in specialized areas - tongue, speed, chromatics, trills, etc. - can be approached as needed.

Hite, David: Forty Progressive Melodies by A.M.R. Barret plus Eight Progressive Exercises by Dont
Contents:

Continued use of this volume can constitute recreational playing, giving vent to imaginative phrasing style with slight variation each time these studies are played. When the studies have been securely mastered, a teacher or friend can add the second part, helping to develop rhythmic independence and dynamic balance.

LEVEL 3 REPERTOIRE

FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE WITH PIANO

Bach-Leeson: Air (Suite in D Major)
Bournonville-Gee: Danse pour Katia
Cailliet, Lucien: Theme and Variations
Glazunov-Leeson: Serenade Espagnole
Handel-Gee: Adagio and Allegro (Sonata No. 1)
Pierne-Gee: Serenade, Op. 7
Reed, Alfred: Ballade
Vadala, Kathleen: Sea Change
Walters, David: Episode

FOR TENOR SAXOPHONE WITH PIANO

Blavet-Merriman: Adagio and Presto (1983)
Handel-Gee: Adagio and Allegro (Sonata No. 1)
Loeillet-Voxman-Block: Adagio and Allergro
Pierne-Gee: Piece in G Minor
Ross, William: Aria and Dance
Vadala, Kathleen: Sea Change

FOR BARITONE SAXOPHONE WITH PIANO

Davis, William: Variations on a Theme of R. Schumann
Giovannini, Caesar: Romance

Use the following form to find dealers* in your area from whom you may purchase Southern Music Company Publications.  If you are unable to locate a dealer in your area, you may order directly from Southern Music Company.

*Dealers included in our database are those enrolled in our New Issues Program.