Saxophone Studio

at the

University of Miami

Applied Saxophone Syllabus

Jason Kush                                                                                                            

jasonkush@gmail.com

Dale Underwood

dwil49@yahoo.com

www.jasonkush.com                                                                                                 www.daleunderwood.com

814-242-1022

Course Objective

This course of study is designed so the student will develop the highest level of musicianship, performance skills, and pedagogical concepts that will help each individual excel in their chosen curriculum. This goal will be attained through an in-depth study of the following:

• Tone – A mastery of control yields the ability to produce a quality tone color and employ accurate intonation.
• Technique – The study of technical exercises prepares the student for achieving success in consistent performance execution, both in studied pieces and in sight reading.

• Literature – A vast knowledge of diverse literature is essential to the saxophonist.  Literature will be selected both by the instructors and, after active listening and study, the student.  In addition to saxophone literature, the student is encouraged to explore music originally composed for other instruments, e.g. flute, clarinet, violin, cello, voice, etc.  A variety of literature will be covered in every term. The study of recordings will embellish the literature preparation process.
• Musicality/Interpretation – Students are expected to take the music to a level beyond the technical performance aspects.
• Sight Reading – This is an indispensable skill for all musicians.
• Performance Styles – Students are encouraged to explore the many diverse styles of music that utilize the saxophone.

Attendance

Students are expected to be present and arrive on time for all lessons, forums, rehearsals, and concerts.  Tardiness and unexcused absences are unacceptable, unless in the case of an emergency.  Attendance will be recorded.  Absence may be excused if prior notice of an appropriate reason is provided.

Absenteeism will result in a lowering of your final grade by one-half letter grade for each unexcused lesson missed and, in extreme cases, may result (at the faculty’s discretion) in your involuntary withdrawal from the course.  Absences from more than four (total) forums and saxophone recitals will yield the loss of one-half letter grade per absence. 

Grading

Weekly lessons count for two thirds of the final grade.  A term ending jury performance counts for one third of the final grade.  Jury grades are determined by an average of the jury panel’s scores.

The saxophone faculty determines expectations for each individual student based on his or her year/level, degree/major, and prior experience.  During weekly lessons, the following are evaluated based upon the expected level of the individual student:

• Preparedness, effort, and attitude
• Tone quality and intonation
• Technique
• Quality, variety, and quantity of repertoire
• Organization

• Musicality is held to a high artistic standard but is less objective in terms of grading.  This category will be mostly strongly reflected in jury/forum/recital performances.

Binder

In order to maximize organization, students are required to use a three-ring binder. The binder will serve as a place to keep a list of assignments as well as handouts and photocopies distributed throughout the term.  The binder is a record of studies that can be utilized in future pedagogical endeavors. 

Materials

The University of Miami Music Library is an excellent source for literature and recordings. The following is an abridged list of recommended literature.  Many of these items can be found in the library.  Items not found at this source can be ordered from Eble Music Company at 319-338-0313.

Technical Studies:

• Higgins – Saxophone Scales and Patterns – Rheuben
• Kynastan – Daily Studies for All Saxophonists –  Warner Brothers
• Rousseau – Saxophone High Tones - MMB
• Taffanel & Gaubert – Complete Method for Flute - LeDuc
• Teal – The Saxophonists Workbook – University Press
• Teal – 25 Daily Exercises – University Press
• Viola – The Technique of the Saxophone – Berklee Press

Etudes:

• Bozza – 12 Caprices - LeDuc
• Ferling – 48 Famous Etudes – Southern Music

• Karg – Elert – 25 Capricen un Sonate – Zimmerman

• Voxman – Selected Studies – Rubank

• Rossari – 53 Melodious Etudes, Volumes 1 & 2 – Southern
• Lacour –  Huit Etudes Brillantes - LeDuc
• Lacour –  28 Etudes –On Modes with Limited Transposition by Messiaen- LeDuc
• Piazzolla – Tango Etudes – Lemoine

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Ronkin/Frascotti – The Orchestral Saxophonist, Volumes 1 & 2 – Roncorop

Literature (for Alto Saxophone unless noted)

• Bach – Six suites for Violoncello Solo – trans. by Trent Kynaston – Advance
• Benson – Aeolian Song – MCA (out of print)
• Bonneau – Concerto - LeDuc
• Bozza – Aria – LeDuc
• Bozza – Diptyque – LeDuc
• Bozza – Improvisation and Caprice – LeDuc
• Brant – Concerto - Fischer
• Couf – Introduction, Dance and Furioso – Bandland
• Creston – Concerto – Schirmer
• Creston – Sonata – Shawnee
• Creston – Rapsodie – Shawnee
• Dahl – Concerto – European American
• Debussy – Rapsodie – Norruth
• Debussy – Syrinx – Jobert (flute)
• Denisov – Sonata - LeDuc
• Desenclos – Prelude, Cadenze et Finale - LeDuc
• Dubois – Concerto – LeDuc
• Erickson – Concerto – Bourne
• Feld – Sonata – Leduc
• Feld – Sonata – LeDuc (soprano saxophone)
• Glazounov – Concerto – LeDuc
• Harbison – San Antonio – Hal Leonard
• Hindemith – Sonata – Schott
• Hindemith – Konzertstuk – Schott (duet)
• Husa – Concerto – Associated Music
• Husa – Elegie et Rondeau - LeDuc
• Heiden – Diversion – Norruth Music
• Heiden – Solo –  Schirmer
• Heiden – Sonata – Schott
• Ibert – Concertino da Camera – LeDuc
• Lundee – Sonata - Southern
• Maurice – Tableaux de Provence – Lemoine

• Milhaud – Scaramouche – Salabert
• Muczynski – Sonata – Schirmer
• Muczynski – Concerto – Presser
• Tull – Sarabande and Gigue – Boosey and Hawkes
• Villa-Lobos – Fantasia – Southern (soprano or tenor saxophone)
• Williams – Escapades – Hal Leonard

Recordings by these saxophonists (a very limited listing)

• Classical: Vincent Abato, Arno Bornkamp, Lynn Klock, Jean-Marie Londiex, Harvey Pittel, Branford Marsalis, Marcel Mule, Sigurd Rasher, Eugene Rousseau, Donald Sinta, Kenneth Tse, Dale Underwood
• Jazz: Cannonball Adderly, Michael Brecker, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Jan Garbarek, Kenny Garrett, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Eddie Harris, Joe Henderson, Johnny Hodges, David Leibman, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Gerry Mulligan, Charlie Parker, Chris Potter, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Phil Woods
• Pop: Lou Marini, Maceo Parker, Lenny Pickett, David Sanborn
• Studio: Gary Foster, Dan Higgins, Bob Sheppard