Duration of the online course: 1 hours and 32 minutes
New
Learn to play saxophone fast with a free online course—setup, posture, first notes and songs. Build confidence and earn skills you can use right away.
In this free course, learn about
Safely open and handle the sax case; identify main sax parts
Posture, breathing support, and basic tone exercises ("sizzle") for wind playing
Reeds 101: types/care, why to moisten, and how to place/align reed on mouthpiece
Use cork grease correctly so the neck fits smoothly and avoids cork damage
Assemble the mouthpiece, reed, neck, and put the sax together without bending keys
Hold/support the sax in playing position; avoid common setup/position mistakes
Troubleshoot bad notes: check embouchure, leaks/keys, reed setup, and assembly
Fingerings for beginner notes: G, A, B, C, D; understand what makes D trickier
Play simple melodies by ear and from patterns: Hot Cross Buns, Au Claire de la Lune
Play 2-note chants (Let's Go Cheer) and rhythmic riffs; understand repeat signs
Learn a 5-note scale pattern (starting on G) and practice stepwise note sequences
Play chromatic scale with fingering charts; build full-range note familiarity
Practice major scales (G, C, F, D, Bb, A, E) in slow tempos across octaves
Understand keys’ function: opening/closing tone holes to change pitch
Course Description
Starting saxophone can feel intimidating: lots of keys, a delicate reed, and the fear of squeaks. This free online beginner course is designed to take you from opening the case to making clear, reliable notes with a step-by-step approach that favors good habits from day one. You will learn how to handle the instrument safely, assemble it correctly, and set up your mouthpiece and reed so your sound improves immediately.
Instead of guessing what to do, you will build a solid foundation in posture, breathing, and tone production. Small adjustments in how you sit or stand, how you support the sax, and how you use your air can change everything, and the lessons guide you through these details in a practical, beginner-friendly way. You will also understand common beginner problems and how to troubleshoot when a note does not speak, sounds airy, or feels unstable—so you can practice with confidence rather than frustration.
As your control develops, you will move into core fingerings and begin connecting notes smoothly. You will practice essential beginner tones like G, A, and B, then expand into additional notes and patterns that make reading and playing easier. The course also supports musical growth by helping you internalize pitch and rhythm through simple, recognizable tunes, making practice feel rewarding early on.
To round out your skills, you will explore the chromatic scale and multiple major scales at an approachable pace, reinforcing finger coordination and ear training. These routines are perfect for daily practice and provide a clear path to cleaner technique and better intonation. By the end, you will be comfortable handling your saxophone, producing a steadier sound, and playing beginner songs with more consistency—ready to keep progressing into new music and more advanced playing.
Course content
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Lesson 1 - Opening the Case, Naming the Parts03m
Exercise: When opening a saxophone case, what is an important step to prevent damage?
Video class: Beginner Lesson - Posture, Breathing, Sizzle (for all Wind Instruments)03m
Exercise: What is the first step for proper posture when playing a wind instrument?
Video class: Introduction to Reeds02m
Video class: Saxophone - How to Use Cork Grease01m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of using cork grease on a saxophone's neck cork?
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Lesson 2 - How to Assemble Mouthpiece, Reed, and Neck02m
Exercise: What is the correct way to position the reed on the saxophone mouthpiece during assembly?
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Lesson - How to Put the Sax Together03m
Exercise: What is the correct way to support and hold the body of the saxophone while preparing to assemble it?
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Lesson - How to Hold the Saxophone (Playing Position)03m
Exercise: Which of the following is not a top rule for maintaining proper saxophone playing position?
Video class: HELP! My Note Doesn't Sound Right! (Or Isn't Working): Sax Tutorial02m
Exercise: What is one of the first things you should check if a note doesn't sound right on your saxophone?
Video class: How to Play B on Alto Sax - Beginner Tutorial02m
Exercise: What is the correct way to play the note B on the saxophone?
Video class: How to Play A on Alto Sax - Beginner Tutorial01m
Exercise: When playing the note 'A' on the saxophone, where is 'A' located on the musical staff?
Video class: How to Play G on Alto Sax - Beginner Tutorial01m
Exercise: When playing the note G on the saxophone for beginners, how many home key fingers should be used on the left hand?
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Song - Hot Cross Buns06m
Exercise: What are the three notes used to play 'Hot Cross Buns' on the alto saxophone as described in the lesson?
Video class: Alto Sax Beginner Song - Major Duple06m
Exercise: When learning a song by ear on the saxophone, what is the first step suggested in the lesson?
Video class: How to Play C on Alto Sax - Beginner Tutorial01m
Exercise: What is the correct fingering technique to play the note C on the saxophone for beginners?
Video class: How to Play D on Alto Sax: Beginner Tutorial01m
Exercise: What makes playing the note D on the saxophone a bit trickier than other notes learned so far?
Video class: Basic 5 Note Scale for Alto Sax: Beginner Tutorial02m
Exercise: In the context of learning to play a five-note scale on the saxophone, what is the sequence of notes when starting on G and ascending one step at a time?
Video class: Easy 2-note song! LET'S GO CHEER #1 on Alto Sax04m
Exercise: What is the correct sequence of notes for playing the 'Let's Go Cheer' song on the saxophone?
Video class: WE WILL ROCK YOU on Alto Sax | Beginner Tutorial07m
Exercise: What is the main purpose of a repeat sign in sheet music?
Video class: How to Play PIERROT on Alto Sax (Au Claire De la Lune) Tutorial05m
Exercise: What are the three notes needed to play the beginner saxophone song mentioned in the course?
Video class: ANOTHER Easy 2-note song! LET'S GO CHEER #2 on Alto Sax04m
Exercise: What is the correct fingering for the note D on the saxophone in 'Let's Go Cheer Number Two'?
Video class: ALTO SAX | How to put on your REED (mouthpiece04m
Exercise: What is the primary reason for moistening the reed before placing it on the mouthpiece?
Video class: How to Play EVERY NOTE (Chromatic Scale) on Alto Sax - With Fingering Charts03m
Exercise: Which of the following is a basic component of a saxophone beginner's learning session?
Video class: ALTO SAX G Major Scale | SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX C Major Scale | High Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX C Major Scale | 2 Octaves SLOW01m
Video class: Alto Sax C Major Scale | Low Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX F Major Scale | High Octave SLOW00m
Exercise: What is a key ingredient one should focus on when learning to play music as a beginner?
Video class: ALTO SAX F Major Scale | High Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX F Major Scale | Two Octaves SLOW01m
Video class: Alto Sax D Major Scale | Two Octaves SLOW01m
Video class: ALTO SAX D Major Scale | Low Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX D Major Scale | High Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX | B-Flat Major Scale Two Octaves SLOW01m
Video class: ALTO SAX A Major Scale | SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX E Major Scale | High Octave SLOW00m
Video class: ALTO SAX E Major Scale | Lower Octave SLOW00m
Exercise: What is the primary use of a saxophone in a beginner's music course?
Video class: ALTO SAX E Major Scale | Two Octaves SLOW01m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the keys on a saxophone?
