The Study of Saxophone
Year 6
2nd Cycle (Years 4 to 8). A Nine-Year Course of Study for the Modern Saxophonist-Doubler — Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet.
Thomas Hornig · Henri Selmer Paris Artist · 2026 Edition · The Whole Horn
What Year 6 asks
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
1. Sight-Reading exam
2. Performance of all diminished and augmented scales to include diatonic 4ths, 5ths, 6ths and arpeggiated triads and 7th chords
3. Performance of selected piece for Saxophone and Piano or Solo Saxophone
4. Performance of Etudes from selected method: Ferling Etudes (ALL)
THE YEAR
October to July, in two semesters.
Mid-term exam: early March.
Final exam: early July.
Saxophone students are required to complete the listed methods and satisfactorily present the required scale and arpeggio materials during each school year. Ten compositions will be chosen from each repertoire list and developed to a performance level. Repertoire for the jury examination should be selected in consultation with the student's teacher. Pieces not listed may be studied and performed with the permission of the teacher. Extensive participation in a saxophone quartet and with other instruments in the performance of chamber music and large wind ensemble is requisite for students who have attained an acceptable performance level.
The Study of Saxophone · Desired Competencies
Scales in the app
Exam: Performance of all diminished and augmented scales to include diatonic 4ths, 5ths, 6ths and arpeggiated triads and 7th chords. The app has no augmented scale: practice those from the page.
Scales in the app
Exam: Performance of all diminished and augmented scales to include diatonic 4ths, 5ths, 6ths and arpeggiated triads and 7th chords. The app has no augmented scale: practice those from the page.
Methods
The Study of Saxophone · Year 6
Core Methods
Andersen, 24 Etudes Instructives
Montbrun, 6 Pièces Musicales
Londeix, Sur les Gammes Conjointes
Gilles, 32 Etudes Mélodiques et Techniques
Debondue, 50 Sight-Reading Etudes
Salviani-Iasilli, Exercises in All Practical Keys
Charlie Parker Omnibook
Additional Methods
Reeves, Creative Jazz Improvisation
Mule, Etudes Variées
Coker, Patterns for Jazz
Sinta, Voicing — An Approach to Third Range for Saxophone
Repertoire
The Study of Saxophone · Year 6
Core Repertoire
Bozza, Prélude et Divertissement for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Busser, Asturias for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Dautremer, Tango et Tarentelle for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Françaix, Cinq Danses Exotiques for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Montbrun, Six Pièces Musicales et d'Etudes for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Additional Repertoire
Bach, Sonata in A minor for Solo Flute (BWV 1013)
Bozza, Pièce Brève for SOLO Saxophone
Creston, Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Duclos, Pièce Brève for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Jolivet, Fantasie Impromptu
Koechlin, 15 Etudes for Saxophone
Piazzolla, Tango Etudes for SOLO Saxophone
Teal, Program Solos, Alto Saxophone and Piano
Teal, Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player with Piano Accompaniment
Desired Competency
2nd Cycle (Years 4 to 8)
Deepening skills acquired in the 1st cycle
air column / breathing
development of a personal, mature sound
articulation
rhythmic, digital and timbral homogeneity
accuracy
flexibility
nuance
intonation
vibrato
And
Fluidity of technique as well as knowledge of alternative fingerings.
Ability to play "extreme" nuance, to tune alone, to control and correct intonation.
Ability to memorize music.
Sight-reading at the level of "working musicians."
Knowledge, technical facility, and musical maturity in contemporary music.
Understanding and application of the wide variety of music notation in contemporary music.
Knowledge and practice of chord-scale relationships; Jazz improvisation.
Listening skills, Jazz phrasing, memorization of easy jazz standards, and the ability to transcribe solos.
The history of the saxophone, the different epochs and styles, and important figures.
Understanding and application of descriptive and analytical vocabulary.
Ensemble performance — piano accompaniment — chamber music — ensemble of saxophones — orchestra, Jazz combos and Jazz ensembles — knowing how to conduct a set and a rehearsal.
Perform in public as a soloist.
Participate on a stage.
Promote general musical culture by listening to and performing music of all kinds.
Make it yours
Every link here is a starting point. To change one, open For Teachers in The Whole Horn, set the key, tempo or hours, add your own sentence, make the link, and paste it over ours. This is one year of The Study of Saxophone. The whole course, from the Preparatory Year to Year 9, is on thewholehorn.com.
This is a living framework. Use it as a foundation, adapt it to your context, and revise it as new resources emerge.
— Thomas Hornig