From Exercises to Music: Easy Saxophone Melodies Using Your First Notes

Turning Exercises into Real Music

So far, you’ve used your first notes and rhythms in short drills. In this chapter, you’ll turn the same materials into short melodies that sound like “music,” not just practice. The goal is to keep everything beginner-friendly: a steady pulse, a small note set (like G–A–B, plus any other first notes you already know), and simple rhythms (quarters and eighths). Each melody will follow the same learning routine so you always know what to do next.

The 4-Step Melody Routine (Use This Every Time)

• 1) Rhythm-only clap: clap the rhythm while counting a steady beat.
• 2) Speak note names while fingering silently: no blowing—just move fingers and say the notes in rhythm.
• 3) Slow play with a metronome pulse: play at a slow tempo where you never rush.
• 4) Full tempo with basic articulation: bring it up to a comfortable tempo and add gentle tonguing on the starts of notes.

Counting and Rhythm Language You’ll Use

For quarter notes, count “1 2 3 4”. For pairs of eighth notes, count “1-and 2-and 3-and 4-and”. When a bar is mostly eighth notes, keep the “and” syllables even—don’t let them get smaller or rushed.

Expressive Basics (Keep It Simple and Musical)

• Even tone: aim for the same sound quality on every note—no “thin” A and “loud” B.
• Smooth transitions: fingers move efficiently; avoid “bumping” between notes.
• Gentle tonguing: light articulation at the start of notes; think “doo,” not “tah.”

Performance Habits for Every Melody

• Start confidently: take a calm breath, set your fingers, then begin.
• Count in: before you play, count one full bar in your head (or out loud): “1 2 3 4.”
• End cleanly: hold the last note for its full value, then stop the air at the end of the beat (not early).

Melody 1: “Three-Note Walk” (G–A–B)

This first melody is built to feel like a musical phrase while staying extremely simple. It uses only G, A, and B with quarter notes.

Musical Example (4 bars)

Time: 4/4  Notes: G A B  Rhythm: all quarter notes  (4 bars)  Bar 1: G  A  B  A  Bar 2: G  G  A  B  Bar 3: B  A  G  A  Bar 4: B  B  A  G

Step 1 — Rhythm-only clap

Clap four steady claps per bar. Count out loud: “1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4”. Keep your claps identical in spacing.

Step 2 — Speak note names while fingering silently

Without blowing, finger the notes and speak them in time: “G A B A | G G A B | B A G A | B B A G.” If a finger change feels late, slow down and make the movement smaller.

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Step 3 — Slow play with metronome pulse

Set a metronome to a slow tempo (for example, 60 bpm). Play one note per click. Focus on matching the click exactly—no speeding up on easy bars.

Step 4 — Full tempo with basic articulation

Increase to a comfortable tempo (for example, 80–96 bpm). Tongue lightly at the start of each note. Keep the tone steady from the first note to the last.

Make it sound musical

• Shape the phrase: slightly “lean” into bar 2 and relax through bar 4.
• Keep repeated notes (like “G G” or “B B”) identical in tone and length.

Melody 2: “Eighth-Note Bounce” (G–A–B with simple rhythm variety)

This melody introduces eighth notes while staying inside the same note set. Your job is to keep the eighth notes even and not rushed.

Musical Example (4 bars)

Time: 4/4  Notes: G A B  Rhythm: quarters + pairs of eighths  Bar 1: G (quarter)  A (eighth) B (eighth)  A (quarter)  G (quarter)  Bar 2: A (quarter)  B (eighth) A (eighth)  G (quarter)  G (quarter)  Bar 3: B (quarter)  A (quarter)  G (eighth) A (eighth)  B (quarter)  Bar 4: A (eighth) B (eighth)  A (eighth) G (eighth)  G (quarter)  G (quarter)

Step 1 — Rhythm-only clap

Clap and count using “and” for eighth notes. For bar 1, you would count: “1 2-and 3 4”. Practice each bar until the “2-and” feels perfectly even.

Step 2 — Speak note names while fingering silently

Speak the notes in rhythm while fingering: “G A-B A G | A B-A G G | B A G-A B | A-B A-G G G.” Make sure your fingers move exactly on the syllables.

Step 3 — Slow play with metronome pulse

Use a slow metronome (for example, 56–66 bpm). The click is the quarter note. Your eighth notes must fit evenly between clicks. If they feel uneven, slow down further.

Step 4 — Full tempo with basic articulation

At a comfortable tempo (for example, 84–100 bpm), tongue lightly at the start of each note. For pairs of eighth notes, keep the tongue gentle so the sound doesn’t become pecky or harsh.

Expressive focus

• Even eighths: imagine the two eighth notes are “twins”—same length, same energy.
• Smooth fingers: avoid lifting fingers high; small movements help speed and accuracy.

Melody 3: “Call and Answer” (Two-bar idea repeated)

This melody teaches you to recognize a repeating musical idea. You’ll play a two-bar “call,” then a two-bar “answer.” Repetition helps you play more confidently because your brain predicts what’s coming.

Musical Example (4 bars)

Time: 4/4  Notes: G A B  Rhythm: mix of quarters and eighths  Bars 1–2 (Call): Bar 1: G (quarter)  A (quarter)  B (eighth) A (eighth)  G (quarter)  Bar 2: A (quarter)  B (quarter)  A (quarter)  G (quarter)  Bars 3–4 (Answer): Bar 3: G (quarter)  A (eighth) B (eighth)  A (quarter)  G (quarter)  Bar 4: B (quarter)  A (quarter)  G (half note)

Step 1 — Rhythm-only clap

Clap bars 1–2 until they feel automatic, then bars 3–4. Finally clap all four bars without stopping. Count: “1 2 3-and 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2-and 3 4 | 1 2 3 4.”

Step 2 — Speak note names while fingering silently

Say and finger: “G A B-A G | A B A G | G A-B A G | B A G(hold).” For the last half note, keep your fingers stable and imagine the sound staying steady.

Step 3 — Slow play with metronome pulse

Start slow (for example, 60–72 bpm). Pay special attention to the last bar: hold the half note for two full beats while the metronome clicks.

Step 4 — Full tempo with basic articulation

Bring it to a comfortable tempo (for example, 88–104 bpm). Use gentle tonguing at the start of each note; for the final long note, start it cleanly and then keep the air steady without extra tongue.

Expressive focus

• Phrase shape: make bars 1–2 slightly more “question-like,” then let bars 3–4 feel like an “answer.”
• Long note control: keep the last note stable in pitch and volume until the exact end.

How to Practice Any Melody Efficiently

Use “Looping” (Small Sections Repeated)

Instead of always starting at bar 1, loop the hardest bar. Example routine: play bar 2 five times in a row with a metronome, then connect bars 1–2, then connect bars 2–3.

Use “Two Tempos”

• Learning tempo: slow enough that you can play perfectly (even if it feels very slow).
• Performance tempo: a steady tempo you can repeat twice without mistakes.

Articulation rule for beginners

If tonguing makes the sound unstable, keep the tongue lighter and reduce motion. The tongue should not “kick” the reed; it should release it.

Mini Project: Your First Song Routine (Checklist + Two Takes)

This project combines good preparation with a simple performance plan. Choose one of the melodies above as your “first song,” or ask your teacher which one fits your current note set best.

Project Setup (Do This in Order)

• Posture check: feet stable, back tall, shoulders relaxed, head balanced (not reaching forward).
• Assembly check: neck strap secure, mouthpiece position comfortable, reed aligned, ligature snug, keys moving freely.
• Warm-up long tone: pick one easy note from your set and hold it for 8 slow counts with steady air; repeat once. Focus on even tone from start to finish.

Performance Plan

• Count-in: set your metronome, then count one full bar: “1 2 3 4.”
• Take 1 (Slow): play the full melody at your learning tempo. Priorities: correct rhythm, smooth changes, steady tone.
• Reset: breathe, relax hands, silently finger the first bar once.
• Take 2 (Comfortable steady tempo): play again a bit faster, but only as fast as you can keep the pulse steady. Add gentle tonguing to start notes cleanly.
• Clean ending: hold the last note for its full value, then stop exactly on the beat.

Optional “Performance Upgrade” (Still Beginner-Friendly)

• Play the second time slightly louder in the middle bars, then slightly softer on the final bar.
• Keep articulation consistent: if you tongue the first note of each bar, do it every bar.