I offer Sax tuition to both Tenor and Alto Sax players.
As an accomplished player in various styles, and having my material played regularly on BBC radio, and with my sax playing signed on by an international record label, and on top of that with my expertise as a schoolteacher for 10 years and private music tutor for 20 years, I am the ideal teacher to guide you towards  whatever style you wish to explore. 

Generally speaking the sax starts to come into its own as an improvising instrument, although there are many avenues to follow where reading only is required. Wind bands etc. 

Indeed the first steps towards good meaningful improvising are in any event a good comprehension of the basic language of music. In other words the "need to read" is inescapable.

Also the need to comprehend chord structure, despite the Sax being a melodic instrument, is an invaluable aid whatever your area of interest. I offer a well structured view of Chord Progressions, and how to use these with both written and improvised music. 
I personally have an alto, but use this to teach the Tenor Sax student as well.

The purchase of a saxophone is a serious outlay to make, and like all things, the more you spend the better you get. Always worth spending a few pounds more if at all possible on getting a good instrument. 
You would need to spend at least £400 to get a decent Sax, so in general anyone who lays out such a sum, means to get the most out of the instrument. 
There are numerous books on the market, and also there are many great books with CD as well.
Many of my students find the outlet of playing with a ready made backing band (albeit not live) is a great asset and does help to build up the student to play alongside other  live musicians eventually. 
Old habits do die hard, and  I must say the "Tune a day" series is still my favourite course to follow. A well planned development is built into this series of books. 

Also with the professional studio facilities I have, it is possible to record the student with these backing tracks and present the student with their own mixed recording on CD. 
Listening to your playing really does help you to add that extra edge to your playing.

There are different "models/Structures" to improvise on. The Blues scale, and the Pentatonic scale are just 2 of them, and both very effective to get moving. 
Gaining a comprehension of passing notes, auxiliary notes and escape notes is another device that is a great structure on which to improvise creatively and meaningfully. 

Whichever way you want to take your playing on the Sax, I can empathetically guide you in reinforcing your skills , and gently and surely extend them. 

Send mail to rodwatts@btinternet.com   with enquiries, or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 19, 2004