[Wildboy1983]

In my search for well known sheet music I seem to have picked up three graded studies books which appear to have random musical phrases throughout of various difficulty with nothing to give any clue on how to play it.

I have read that reading sheet music one is unfamiliar with is good for learning but I'm unsure how to apply this to my practice sessions since I have no idea whether I'm playing in the spirit of the tune or even doing it correctly. I can't seem to get past simply blowing the string of notes. My confusion starts to stifle any prospect of bothering to reach the end of the piece.

How am I meant to assess my performance or even if I'm playing in the correct genre?

 

[Reet McVouty]

In my search for well known sheet music I seem to have picked up three graded studies books which appear to have random musical phrases throughout of various difficulty with nothing to give any clue on how to play it.

I have read that reading sheet music one is unfamiliar with is good for learning but I'm unsure how to apply this to my practice sessions since I have no idea whether I'm playing in the spirit of the tune or even doing it correctly. I can't seem to get past simply blowing the string of notes. My confusion starts to stifle any prospect of bothering to reach the end of the piece.

How am I meant to assess my performance or even if I'm playing in the correct genre?

OK, on another post you said you've only been playing saxophone for 8 weeks or so. Do you play another instrument? Can you read music? I don't know how you can apply anything from any music book without first learning the fundamentals.

There are no short cuts in music. Learning on your own is quite difficult but not impossible. I would suggest you find a qualified saxophone teacher.

 

[Wildboy1983]

I am self teaching and have managed to get to a point of slowly sight reading a basic tune. I can with practice play through most of ' fly me to the moon'. I'm assuming that these books reply on the feedback and mentorship of a tutor? In which case I will have to set aside for now.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I am self teaching and have managed to get to a point of slowly sight reading a basic tune. I can with practice play through most of ' fly me to the moon'. I'm assuming that these books reply on the feedback and mentorship of a tutor? In which case I will have to set aside for now.

I understand that at these times it's not possible to take private lessons, but a Google search should be able to provide you with someone that does Zoom or Skype lessons. The problem with trying to learn on your own is the potential to ingrain bad habits. You can probably play "Fly Me To The Moon" because you already know the rhythm of the tune by ear and you have a fingering chart that tells you what keys give you which notes. But, can you play any tunes that you don't already know by looking at the sheet music? If at this time you cannot find a suitable teacher here are a couple books I can recommend to you for getting started.

https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Guide-How-Read-Music/dp/0399511229

https://www.amazon.com/Rubank-Elementary-Method-Saxophone-Educational/dp/1423444817