BetterSax Courses

At BetterSax, we have a lot of great courses that can take your saxophone playing to the next level. Our courses range from beginner to advanced playing levels and focus on a range of topics.

These are self paced, have an interface that is easy to use, and includes access to the BetterSax Members forum where you can interact with thousands of other saxophonists like yourself from around the world who can come together to discuss all things saxophone.

Below is a list of the courses that we offer and how to enroll.

The Better Sax Mastery Bundle is our overall best value. It contains all 6 full courses at a deep discount by bundling them together, including: Pentatonic Foundation, Blues Foundation, Blues Language, Harmonic Foundation, Core Essentials, and Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation. This collection of courses provides everything you need to take you from a beginning saxophone student to an accomplished improviser. Years worth of saxophone study has been condensed down into a program that is  fun, easy to manage and will get you the results that you’re looking for. Included in this bundle:

• Access to all content from all 6 full courses including videos, audio examples, playlists, and backing tracks (more detail about what is included in each individual course is listed below)
• Lifetime Access
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Beginner-Advanced

Enroll in the Mastery Bundle here.

BetterSax Studio

The BetterSax Studio is the best place to improve your improvisation skills. This is a subscription based program that features a new set of video lessons with PDF and backing track downloads on a specific topic in improvisation each month. These topics are typically focused on on standard jazz tunes and popular repertoire as a method for learning improvisation concepts.

Members work through the material at their own pace and personal comfort level and students have the opportunity to submit video recordings of themselves playing for personalized feedback from myself and the other Studio members. Included in the Studio:

• New content posted monthly which includes video lessons, PDF guides, backing tracks, and playing examples
• Access to the full Studio archive of video lessons, PDF guides, backing tracks and playing examples
• Ability to submit recordings of your playing to get personalized feedback from me and also from the rest of the Studio community
• Monthly Live Stream events for guided playing sessions and the opportunity to ask questions
• Access to the exclusive BetterSax Studio Forum
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Enroll in the BetterSax Studio here.

Play Sax by Ear Crash Course

The Play Sax by Ear Crash Course is a FREE 6-part course. Instead of starting out with complex music theory, I’m going to show you how to start playing the saxophone by ear using just the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale. With this course you’ll be able to play popular melodies completely by ear and improvise great sounding solos.

Player level: Beginner

Enroll in the Play Sax by Ear Crash Course here.

Pentatonic Foundation

Pentatonic Foundation is the best course to start with. Learn to play melodies by ear and improvise solos using the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale. Included in this course:

• PDF course guide for both Eb and Bb saxophones
• Pentatonic Workout Lesson Series (8 videos)
• Advanced Ear Training Lessons (3 videos)
• Melodic Ear Training Lessons (2 videos)
• Pentatonic Theory Lessons (2 videos)
• Introduction to Improvisation Lessons (2 videos)
• Downloadable backing tracks
• Audio example tracks demonstrating the songs and solos
• Lifetime Access
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Beginner

Enroll in Pentatonic Foundation here.

Core Essentials

Core Essentials will help you develop essential fundamental skills on saxophone. Improve your sound and technique. This is a daily practicing guide for getting measurable results. Included in this course:

• Core Essentials Video Lesson Library (90 Videos)
•  Warm-Up Routine Playlists
•  Lifetime Access
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Enroll in Core Essentials here.

Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation

Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation is a PDF book with 60+ pentatonic patterns and 12 backing tracks in all keys. Develop technique for better improvised solos. Included in this course:

• Downloadable eBook With Over 60 Patterns
• 12 Backing Tracks in All Keys
• For All Instruments
• Audio example tracks of Jay demonstrating the patterns
• Lifetime Access
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Intermediate

Enroll in Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation here.

Melodic Etudes

Melodic Etudes is collection of written solos based on beloved jazz standards is an improved BetterSax version of the classic etude book. Intermediate players will find these to be fun to play, accessible and just the right level of challenge. In the accompanying video lessons I explain exactly what I’m thinking in every measure. Students will come away with a much better understanding of how effective jazz solos are crafted enabling them to level up their own playing. Included in this course

• 10 Intermediate Etudes over standard chord progressions
• 3 PDF Book Download versions included (Eb, Bb, and C Instruments)
• Online Course with Video Lessons for each etude
• Backing Tracks for each etude
• Audio recordings of each etude with backing track accompaniment
• Lifetime Access
• Access to the BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Intermediate

Enroll in Melodic Etudes here.

Blues Foundation

In Blues Foundation you’ll learn about how the musical language of the Blues is present in all styles of popular music, and how to play Blues Melodies, Licks, and Solos all by ear. Develop your sense of rhythm and take your improvising to the next level. Included with this course:

• Over 3 Hours of Video Lessons
• 36 Blues Backing Tracks covering all 12 keys in 4 styles
• PDF Course Guide
• Lifetime Access
• Access to BetterSax Members Site and exclusive saxophone discussion forum

Player Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Enroll in Blues Foundation here.

Blues Language

The Blues Language course contains licks that will provide you with indispensable ingredients to build your own solos that sound authentic and communicate with your audience. The musical language of the Blues is essential vocabulary for all improvising musicians. The method for learning and integrating this language into your playing will transform your approach to improvising and make your solos sound better instantly. Included in this course:

Harmonic Foundation has everything you need to know and practice for the study of improvisation in jazz and other popular music styles. This course has all the music theory you will ever need. Included with this course: