Courses Archive – Better Sax

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Find the best selection of saxophone course content for all levels of sax players below.

Newest Release

Melodic Etudes - Essential Jazz Repertoire Vol 2

This 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.

Best Value

Mastery

Bundle

Mastery Bundle

Get all 6 Courses at 30% Discount

The Better Sax Mastery Bundle contains all 6 courses below. Pentatonic Foundation, Blues Foundation, Harmonic Foundation, Core Essentials and Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation. This is a one time purchase for lifetime access in the Better Sax Members Area.

COURSES FOR

EVERY LEVEL

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image of Pentatonic Foundation Saxophone Course - Learn to play sax by ear and improvise solos
BeginnerBeginner

Pentatonic Foundation

BeginnerBeginner

Core Essentials

IntermediateIntermediate

Pentatonic Patterns

AdvancedAdvanced

Blues Foundation

AdvancedAdvanced

Blues Language

AdvancedAdvanced

Harmonic Foundation

BundleBundle

BetterSax Mastery Bundle

IntermediateIntermediate

Melodic Etudes

BeginnerBeginner

Beginner/Refresher

BeginnerBeginner

Play Sax By Ear Crash Course

AdvancedAdvanced

21 Major Key Explorations

AdvancedAdvanced

22 Minor Key Explorations

ETUDES ESSENTIAL JAZZ REPERTOIRE VOL 1 intermediate etudes
IntermediateIntermediate

Intermediate Etudes

Groove and Soul Standadards vol 1 Pentatonic Studies
IntermediateIntermediate

Groove & Soul Standards

bettersax studio
AdvancedAdvanced

Studio

Advanced

Rhythmic Pyramid

Which course is best for YOU?

Join the Studio

Study improvisation in our amazing online saxophone community with the best learning resources available anywhere.

Your

Instructor

Saxophonist Jay Metcalf’s mission is to help developing saxophone players break away from traditional music learning methods and discover a more efficient, practical and fun way to become a Better Sax player.

The Better Sax YouTube channel’s videos have been watched by millions while thousands of Jay’s students have made meaningful progress on their instrument thanks to Better Sax lessons and courses.

What our Students are Saying

Better Sax Community Members

“Jay, you are truly the best teacher I have no regrets in joining the full suite of courses. Following your instructions and achieving at least 75% of each lesson was sufficient ot make me feel how much I have improved since I got my alto earlier this month. As you say in your videos, 15 mins a day of dedicated set time created this difference!”

“I must say the further I go into this course the more I am impressed with the process of teaching. I have been a drummer and guitar player for over 45 years, self taught, play in bands, learned clarinet as a kid but went no further. Introduced to sax at age 13 by an uncle who played professional but I was attracted to the drums instead. BUT now I love the sax, your method is making it easy… Thank you so much!”

“I joined the course because I really enjoyed and learned a lot from your free lessons. My subscription was to contribute to your funds in making more great videos. After going through the contents of your course, it turns out to be better than expected. Keep up the great job.”

“What began as long tone exercises at 7pm, ended three and a half hours later with me ad libbing on alto and bari to the backing tracks. This is the most fun I have ever had practicing. These lessons are more than I had hoped for.”​

“DONE! Both solos. What a great course. Started this course on May 2nd, so a little over 5 months to do absolutely everything right, in between work and travel. Worth every second! What an accomplishment! On to Blues Language!”

“Jay – this one is lots of fun and its confirmation that your method works! I can play all of them without thinking; all of the exercises have created a direct connection between the ears and the fingers without interference from the conscious part of the brain. Even better, I can see that your approach can be applied to any set of scales. Thanks so much!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the Pentatonic Foundation course. Didn’t think it was possible to improve after years of bad habits, but your teaching method and exercises enabled me to be successful. Loved the backing tracks and ability to revisit lessons when needed. I’m going to enroll in your Blues Foundation course to continue these amazing and affordable lessons. Thanks Jay!”

“Thanks Jay, a great course. I will need to keep practicing the content but has taught me so much about improvising that I wish I had known nearly 60 years ago when it was impossible to get help like this.”

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Essam

Pentatonic Foundation Students
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Brian Cole

Pentatonic Foundation Student
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George

Pentatonic Foundation Student
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Larry

Pentatonic Foundation Student
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John Eaton

Blues Foundation Student
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Mark Soffer

Pentatonic Foundation Student
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Cathy

Pentatonic Foundation Student

Peter

Pentatonic Foundation Student

Suggested

Course Progression

Start Here (Free)

Beginner/Refresher Course

Nowadays, you can get information about almost anything for free on the internet, but it is often jumbled up and scattered around. I created this beginner course to help anyone starting out on the saxophone to get going on the right foot establishing good habits from day one.

Try a Mini Course (Free)

PSBE Crash Course

Enroll in this FREE 6-part video lesson course about how to start playing the saxophone by ear using just 5 notes!

Next Level: Learn Melodies by Ear and Start Improvising Solos

Pentatonic Foundation

beginner-intermediate

Best full course to start with. Learn to play melodies by ear and improvise solos using the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale.

Getting Serious: Core Essentials

Core Essentials

beginner-advanced

Develop essential fundamental skills on saxophone. Improve your sound and technique. A daily practicing guide for getting measurable results.

Ammunition for Soloing

Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation

intermediate-advanced

PDF book with 60+ pentatonic patterns and 12 backing tracks in all keys. Develop technique for better improvised solos.

The Blues is Everywhere

Blues Foundation

intermediate-advanced

Every genre of popular music is influenced by the blues. Develop your ability to play improvised solos using the Blues style and language.

Learn the Language

Blues Language

intermediate-advanced

The musical language of the Blues is present in all styles of popular music. Learn essential improvisation vocabulary for any solo.

Increase your harmonic knowledge

Harmonic Foundation

intermediate-advanced

All the scales, chords and music theory you need to improvise with confidence in all styles.

Jazz Improvisation Learning Community

BetterSax Studio

intermediate-advanced

Learn jazz improvisation in our interactive studio where students get direct feedback on their playing. New lessons and livestreams every month!

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