Play Sax By Ear - Crash Course
Eb Instruments
PSBE Lesson 2
Solid Time
Welcome Back!
I’m glad you made it for lesson 2 of PSBE.
Before we begin, get your saxophone out and warm up by playing through the pentatonic scale we learned and memorized in lesson 1.
If you need a refresh on the previous lesson you can view it here:
PSBE – Lesson 1 (Eb Instruments)
When you’re ready, watch the video below…
Lesson 2 Recap
- Rhythm is the most important ingredient in all of music
- Always practice with a metronome
- Start slowly!
- Increase your practice tempo gradually (2 - 5 bpm [beats per minute] at a time)
- Don't practice with mistakes!
- Fast technique is developed by practicing slow and accurate
Resources
I’ve created a click track at 70 bpm for those of you that don’t have a metronome yet. This is only a temporary tool. A metronome is absolutely essential for all musicians.
Metronome App
I highly recommend this app. It’s a metronome and tuner and is amazing for only $4!
Much better value and functionality than any physical metronome or tuner that you can buy.
Get this app and you’re sorted!
The Next Lesson
Can only be accessed using the link in the email you will receive tomorrow, so look out for it in your inbox, and if you haven’t done so already, add jay@bettersax.com to your list of contacts or whitelist my email address.
Just because you received an email from me already does not mean that future emails won’t go into spam or junk mail.
PSBE Lesson 2 Assignment
- Practice the Major Pentatonic scale with the metronome in your key
- G major for alto and baritone saxophone
- C major for tenor and soprano saxophone
- Play at a comfortable tempo for you. Choose from:
- half notes (2 beats each)
- quarter notes (1 beat each)
- eighth notes (1/2 beat each)
- Focus on staying in sync with the metronome
- Don't play at a tempo where you can't play perfectly. Slow it down!
- See how fast you can get this scale while following the guidelines above
Extra Challenge:
If you have more time and want to work on some more stuff before you get the link to tomorrow’s lesson, here’s a bonus assignment for extra credit.
- Learn the major pentatonic scale in 3 keys: C, G, and D
- Work the tempo up to eighth notes at 100 bpm
Can't Wait?
If you really can’t wait, and want to dive in and get all of my training on how to learn to play melodies by ear and improvise great solos using only the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale you can always jump ahead of the line and order the full Pentatonic Foundation Course here.
Pentatonic Foundation
Learn to play melodies by ear and improvise solos using the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale.
Blues Foundation
Develop your ability to play improvised solos using the Blues style and language.
