The Saxophone Handbook: A Complete Guide to Tone, Technique, Performance, & Maintenance (Paperback)

(Berklee Guide). A complete guide to playing and maintenance, this handbook offers essential information on all dimensions of the saxophone. It provides an overview of technique, such as breathing, fingerings, articulations, and more. Exercises will help you develop your sense of timing, facility, and sound. Extensive directions on repairs will help you maintain your instrument and customize it to support your own playing style and preferences. You'll learn to fine-tune your reed, recork the keys, fix binding keys, replace pads, and many other repairs and adjustments. You'll also learn to improve your tone, intonation, and flexibility while playing with proper technique.

The Saxophone Handbook by Doug Skinner is a most welcome addition to the saxophonist's library! The vast amount of valuable material is presented in a very informative and comprehensive manner, and the inclusion of an assortment of useful diagrams and charts is a bonus. While this book addresses a broad scope of important subject matters, I was particularly impressed by the detailed chapters on instrument repair, instrument selection, and mouthpieces. I certainly will recommend this book to current and former students, as well as a host of fellow saxophonists and teachers. --Chris Vadala, Professor of Saxophone/Director of Jazz Studies, University of Maryland

This is an invaluable book that should be in the library of all saxophone players and teachers. Everything in this book will be used at some point by all serious saxophone players. Mr. Skinner has done a wonderful job of presenting the material in this book in an easy to understand manner so that it can be used by saxophone players of all levels. I do not know of another book for saxophonists that includes everything from tone production to instrument repair. I'm glad we finally have one that does. --Greg Wilson, saxophonist, teacher, Vice President of MACSAX Saxophones

From mouthpieces to methods and maintenance, tone to technique for jazz and classical players, Skinner's well organized and easy to read compendium replaces volumes on my shelf. This is an essential reference for teachers and serious students! --Richard Lawn, author, composer, saxophonist, and educator (Founding director of jazz studies at UT Austin and professor emeritus, University of the Arts, Philadelphia)