Saxophone 2C
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: ME612C
Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is the last part of our second year of study. You will develop instrumental technique and sound, music reading, musicianship skills, ensemble playing, and improvisation.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- Appropriate use of scales e.g. blues, minor, mixolydian,etc., in improvisation
- Playing broken chords and chord theory
- Technical aspects of playing the instrument
- Aspects of related musicianship, e.g. counting, listening, reading
- What to practise, and how to practise
- Transposing skills
- Contribution to group performance.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate improved confidence in your ability to play
- have expanded your range of scales
- Play new repertoire including jazz standards
- Demonstrate improved tone and stamina
- Improvise in a variety of musical contexts
- Perform with your class.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is ideal for saxophone students who have completed at least 2 years of serious musical study. Any other band or instrumental experience will be of advantage.
You must be able to play 2 octaves from bottom C to top C, and you should already know the major scales of C, G, F and D, the minor pentatonic on A and D, and their chord notes. You should also understand treble clef notation and chord symbols.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through tutor demonstrations, books and printed and recorded music. You will play with other students, sometimes with piano and/or a backing track, and learn from one another.
Practice between classes will be essential to your progress. Students will be expected to make space and time for practice.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A music stand and metronome are essential for practice at home. Please have manuscript paper and a pencil. You may be asked to buy a sax book on the advice of your tutor. Resources are available in the google classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Progress to Saxophone 3 next academic year.
You may also be interested in one of our many Musicianship courses to support your practical learning, or in Music appreciation (Jazz & Popular Music) courses.
Sarha is an experienced teacher and gigging musician, performing on the saxophone, arranging and composing on the piano, in classical, jazz and world music genres. Her principal band, Bollywood Brass Band, is the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band, performing tunes and compulsively danceable rhythms of Bollywood films. Twice nominated for Songlines World Music Awards, the band has performed across the world in concerts, festivals, and Indian weddings in the UK, Europe, India, Thailand and South Africa. Sarha played with Ghanaian Highlife band Orchestre Jazira, and socialist big band, The Happy End. She also plays in the Charlie Mingus jazz cover band Hog Callin’, The Great Yiddish Parade marching band and Freylekh klezmer band. Sarha’s specialist area is World Music, and she has a PhD on the study of the Flattened Supertonic across different cultures. At CityLit she teaches jazz and classical piano, saxophone, world music styles (practical and academic courses), musicianship and music theory.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
