BetterSax Courses

Browse our Courses

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

Newest Release

Classical Saxophone Mastery Vol 1

World-class saxophone instructions without the music school.

Mega Bundle

Get 8 Courses at 33% Discount

The Better Sax Mega Bundle contains all 8 courses below. Pentatonic Foundation, Blues Foundation, Harmonic Foundation, Core Essentials, Pentatonic Patterns for Improvisation, Melodic Etudes, and Two, Five, Win!. This is a one time purchase for lifetime access in the Better Sax Members Area.

COURSES FOR

EVERY LEVEL

filter by difficulty using the tabs

Intermediate

Classical Saxophone Mastery

Bob Faub

Advanced Intermediate

Blues Evolution

Vincent Herring

Advanced Advanced

Eric Alexander Course Bundle

Eric Alexander

Intermediate

Chord Tone Zone

Adam Larson

Advanced Intermediate

Double Diminished Dominance

Eric Alexander

Advanced Intermediate

Two, Five, Win!

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Little Leaps and Sounds Christmas Etudes

Adam Larson

Advanced Intermediate

Rhythmic Pyramid

Adam Larson

Advanced Intermediate

Studio

Jay Metcalf

Advanced Intermediate

22 Minor Key Explorations

Eric Alexander

Advanced Intermediate

21 Major Key Explorations

Eric Alexander

Beginner Free

Play Sax By Ear Crash Course

Jay Metcalf

Beginner Free

Beginner/Refresher

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Melodic Etudes

Jay Metcalf

Bundle

BetterSax Mega Bundle

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Harmonic Foundation

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Blues Language

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Blues Foundation

Jay Metcalf

Intermediate

Pentatonic Patterns

Jay Metcalf

Beginner Intermediate

Core Essentials

Jay Metcalf

Beginner

Pentatonic Foundation

Jay Metcalf

Which course is best for YOU?

Join the Studio

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

New video lessons, PDFs and backing tracks every month
Improve your saxophone playing through targeted and personalized feedback
Progress at an accelerated pace as an accountable member of our community
Develop your technique, sound, rhythm and improvisation skills
Monthly interactive live stream sessions to dig deep into a range of saxophone topics

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 Members Say...

The difference between when I started and when I finished was really impressive. Found the lessons easy but they definitely made a difference in my playing. Thanks again and looking forward to the Blues Foundation Course.

Bruce Harding

BetterSax Member

This course is brilliant! You can dip in and out forever with Jays membership system.

Trevor Davies

BetterSax Member

“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.”

Peter Milner

BetterSax Member

A GREAT course! I’ve been working through it for almost a year now and have several years left - I think. Indispensable!

Mark Drezdon

BetterSax Member

“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!”

Brian Cole

BetterSax Member

What a great course. 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!”

John Eaton

BetterSax Member

“I enrolled in and completed your “Play by ear” course, and bought the Pentatonic Foundation course shortly after. Since then, I have been learning and progressing exponentially… Many thanks to BetterSax for an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience.”

Mark Phillips

BetterSax Member

“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. Thanks for sharing! You’re a great teacher!”

Judith Blakey

BetterSax Member

Hands down the best improvisation teaching I've come across.

Simon Farmer

BetterSax Member

“Hi Jay, I just wanted to say how good this course is. The pentatonic scales have given me a renewed confidence in my improvising & my playing by ear. I now know for certain that this course is going to take me to the next level & beyond. Thanks again.”

Chris Allen

BetterSax Member

“I have just played the first backing track and rattled off my first attempt at improvisation using what I’ve gleaned so far. Well, even to me, it sounded not bad. The hair on the back of my neck stood up just thinking of the implications of what I have here. Now, I’m a lot further along the road than I was, thanks to you.”

Lawrence Foster

BetterSax Member

I can attest you will not be sorry if you take this course. I have learned a lot and gained some much needed confidence.

Laura Littlewolf

BetterSax Member

“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!”

Christina Williams

BetterSax Member

The Studio (and BetterSax courses in general) have been THE biggest part of my sax journey for the last three years, and having the opportunity to play a few small gigs in public is a dream I'd set out to accomplish. So much of my participation in the Studio has given me the confidence and foundations to get out and do this!

Brock Henning

BetterSax Member

I love these exercises. Something I haven’t learned even when I started playing at 12. I’m learning so much from this and the other courses I’m taking here. Jay, you’re a very thorough informative…not to mention funny…teacher. Thank you!!!

Jerryl

BetterSax Member

I like the fact that it is like you being there during the exercises. I did follow your advice and did make this exercise part of my routine when I am practicing. I am so glad I joined.

Isabella M.

BetterSax Member

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!