John McAllister
Composer, Educator
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Saxophone Warm-Ups

Mouthpiece Practice

This is an exercise to practice playing (and sustaining) the correct pitch on the mouthpiece. Focus just on proper embouchure formation and air support. For now, this is just the alto saxophone mouthpiece. The correct pitch is a Concert A. Check this on a tuner often. For the video, LISTEN and MATCH pitch. Great tone and intonation on your instrument starts with the mouthpiece... since, you know, that's what makes the sound :)

Also... don't play on old, gross reeds. Rotate them regularly.

Foundation Warm-Ups

Here you'll find videos of the Foundation Warm-Up Series, made specifically for saxophones. This is designed for young, developing players to reinforce the very basic habits of playing.

​Pull it up on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV and play along! (and when you get to the Cinematic tracks.. crank up the volume)

Young Ensemble Warm-Ups

The Young Ensemble Warm-Ups are for full band, but this video JUST focuses on the three saxophone parts: alto saxophone, tenor sax, and baritone sax. The exercises include long tones, flexibility, articulation, chorales and more. Practicing fundamentals daily is essential. Use this an other exercises to work on the basics. 

Woodwind Octaves

Here is a great opportunity to practice your octave slurs. Work on keeping the tone even between the low and high notes. Students, speak with your saxophone teacher or band director about how to properly execute these slurs. You can read the exercise off the screen or from the PDF below.
woodwind octaves - saxophone Pdf

More Cinematic Play Along Videos for Practice

Always remember that long tones and warm-ups aren't necessarily meant to be difficult. Focus on the HOW, rather than the WHAT. 
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  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals
    • Scales and Technique
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Cinematic Series
    • Complete Warm-Ups Sets
    • Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact