How to learn to play the saxophone?

This path suits those who are limited in budget, have strong motivation, and can plan their own learning. Today, the internet offers many free lessons, videos, sheet-music collections, and forums. You can check my channel on RuTube, Dzen, VK Video, sheet music archive, other articles, and the first free lesson of my online course.

Pros

• Availability: you can find materials for free at any time
• Flexibility: you set your own pace and schedule
• Experimentation: you can choose different styles and methods

Cons

• Risk of incorrect technique: without a teacher’s supervision it is easy to ingrain mistakes (incorrect breathing, embouchure, body posture)
• Lack of consistency: hard to build an optimal practice program
• Motivation: some stop practicing without external oversight

Lessons with a teacher are the traditional and most effective way to make steady progress. The teacher corrects mistakes in real time, creates an individual program, and keeps you motivated.

Pros

• Personal technique correction: the teacher will notice and fix errors in breathing, embouchure, fingers and posture, and in sound production
• Faster progress: a structured program and regular review of achieved results
• Individual approach: your style, goals, and weak points are taken into account
• Motivation and accountability: having lessons stimulates practice

Cons

• Cost: lessons with a good teacher can be expensive
• Dependence on the teacher’s quality: not all teachers are equally effective
• Schedule: you need to adjust to a timetable

Online courses and paid self-study guides occupy an intermediate position between full independence and lessons with a live teacher. For this option I have prepared an online course for beginning saxophonists Sax Base. First Melodies, with an optimized, structured program and with feedback (plans Course, Chat, Two lessons).

Pros

• Structured: a ready learning path
• Available at any time: you can study at a convenient pace
• Includes various materials: videos, photos, audio, sheet music (exercises, pieces)
• Cost lower than one-on-one lessons

Cons

• Limited feedback: if you choose the “Course only” plan
• Motivation and self‑discipline are still required

• Technique over repertoire: devote time to daily exercises for developing the playing apparatus
• Work with a metronome and tuner: rhythm and intonation are key to musicality
• Learn scales and arpeggios: they develop the fingers, ear, and understanding of harmony
• Divide practice: technical exercises (10–20 minutes), learning repertoire (10–20 minutes), free playing/improvisation (5–15 minutes)
• Take care of the instrument: regularly maintain your saxophone; read more in the saxophone article
• Reeds: replace your reed regularly. Even if the reed hasn’t broken, it may have “settled in”, i.e., been played out — the sound is no longer as deep.
• Listen to good saxophonists: jazz, classical, and pop soundtracks to broaden your musical horizons
• Track your progress: keep a practice journal or record videos to see changes over time

Each path has its advantages. Self‑study is economical and flexible, but it is impossible to fully and correctly form the playing apparatus on your own. Lessons with a teacher are faster and safer in terms of technique, but cost more. Online courses are a compromise: a structured program at a reasonable price, sometimes with limited feedback. Regardless of the method you choose, the key to mastering the saxophone is regular practice, attention to technique, and gradually expanding your repertoire. Good luck with your studies — may your sound delight you and your listeners!