BetterSax Courses
The Blues Foundation
Build a solid foundation for playing the blues on saxophone. Learn to play Blues Melodies, Licks, and Solos all by ear. Develop your sense of rhythm and take your improvising to the next level.
Pentatonic Foundation
Learn to play melodies by ear using the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale. Start improvising your own solos and free yourself from the burden of sheet music.
Core Essentials
Practice like the pros. Daily warm-up routines that will improve all aspects of your saxophone playing. Sound - Technique - Routines
Pentatonic Patterns
This collection of patterns serves as a resource of practice material to improve your technique with the pentatonic scale in all keys. Backing tracks in all 12 keys.
Get 3 Courses at 30% Savings
Pentatonic Foundation Course
Core Essentials Program
Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation
The Revolutionary Method For Learning to Play Sax By Ear
6 part video course
Learn to use the pentatonic scale to play song melodies and improvise a solo
One-on-One Lesson
Take a private saxophone lesson with Jay over Skype
Limited availability
$40 half hour
$75 hour
Jay Metcalf
As the founder of BetterSax my 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.
Here's What Some of My Students Are Saying
Gene Festa - I must say I'm impressed. Less than a week and I was able to play along with "don't worry be happy" well mostly. When I joined I didn't know what to expect but it was money well spent. But I have been practicing daily until my lips give out, I have only been playing the Sax for a couple of months and you tutorials are perfect. By the first of the year I will be playing with my very talented friends. All anyone needs to do is follow your instructions. Thanks again!
Mark - I just wanted to say although I don't really know how this is so effective within a few days my tone and rhythm is so different almost beautiful. I have been playing for around 14 months, I am happy to put in 2 or 3 hours a day but playing without music is a weakness of mine. I feel that the way this course moves forward in so many areas it's subliminal, plus a bonus I finally mastered the circle of fifths or at least felt I had reason to. Looking forward to starting the patterns book. Once again thank you for a brilliant tool.
Stephan - I always enjoy practicing. Now I absolutely love it. I told my instructor you have created a monster. Now that I'm getting the hang of it...
John - Bravo! This is much needed information, presented as it should be. Your production value in these videos is very good, very professional. I agree with what you're saying in this video because, like many, I've been there too. Thanks.
Denver - I have been viewing one by one the videos in your Pentatonic Foundation course and I am absolutely AMAZED at how the Pentatonic Scale works and what can be done with it. My only problem is that I can’t learn the lessons fast enough. I am dumbfounded that all this music can be produced from 5 notes.
Judith Blakey - This is the best instruction on learning pentatonic scales and beginning improvisation I have come across so far! Your method is also good for improving finger agility on an instrument, too. I'm learning how to play jazz recorder I and will be using your method here. Thanks for sharing! You're a great teacher!
Lonnie -
I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for putting together your course. I live up in Bethel, Alaska and there are no saxophone instructors up here. I was very excited to come across your website. Knowing what to practice how to warm up has been extremely helpful and I will definitely be continuing forward using your methods and instruction.
Thank you again sir for all the hard work and effort you have put into your courses.