Saxophone Class
MUED 105P

University of South Carolina
Lauren Meccia
864-590-2306
Meccia@mailbox.sc.edu
Dr. Clifford Leaman
Office #121; Phone: 576-5893 (w)
cleaman@mozart.sc.edu

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

(Available at Pecknel Music – Five Points)
1. Intermediate Method. Published by Rubank.
2. The Art of Saxophone Playing. Larry Teal. Published by Summy-Birchard Company. Evanston, Illinois. 1963. ISBN 0-87487-057-7.
3. Two (2) #3 Vandoren alto saxophone reeds (Regular -- Blue box)

PHILOSOPHY:

This class is designed to help music education majors understand the specific issues related to teaching the saxophone to beginning music students. These issues, while similar to those of the other woodwind instruments, have differences from these instruments in posture, fingerings, embouchure formation, tone-building, and tonguing that require special knowledge in order for the teacher to efficiently help the student. Due to the fact that modeling of the tone, posture, etc. in every respect will allow the teacher to concisely show the student how these issues can be solved, each student in this class will be expected to perform on the saxophone at a basic level. This will include producing a characteristic tone, playing with correct posture and hand position, and developing a basic technical mastery of the instrument. Additionally, each student in this class will need to have a working understanding of the typical problems found in beginning students and how to overcome these problems as well as the accepted pedagogical materials designed for this purpose.

ATTENDANCE/PREPARATION:

The student is expected to prepare for and attend all classes. This will entail a certain amount of regular daily practice on the saxophone as well as the assigned readings. Because of the limited number of class periods, no more than two absences will be allowed. The third absence will result in a lowering of the student’s grade by a letter grade, and the fourth will result in an automatic failing grade. Roll will be taken at the beginning of the class, and students not in class at that time will be counted as absent for that day.

EXAMS:

There will be periodic playing exams to insure that each student is making satisfactory progress. Each student will play for a grade a minimum of 4 times during the semester. There will be a mid-term and a final exam that will include both written and playing portions.

NOTEBOOKS:

Notebooks must be turned in on the last class day, during the class. Late notebooks will result in a grade deduction. Notebooks must be typed and should include the following:
1. notes from class
2. a minimum of 2 additional articles on saxophone teaching, not presented in class. These articles should be form a method book or a saxophone-related magazine. Internet articles may be used, but prior permission from the instructor is required, as the internet is full of misinformation and has no editorial controls in place.
3. Any handouts from class.
4. Any additional information that may be useful for the future saxophone teacher that you may want to include.

GRADING:

Grading is based on:
1. Written exams & quizes (50%)
2. Playing exams (25%)
3. Notebook (25%)

EMAIL and PHONE #:

Please get an email account and forward this information to the teacher at the beginning of the term. Also, please give you local phone number to the teacher as early as possible each term. I may need to contact you at times during the term, and this information makes such contact much more timely and efficient.

OFFICE HOURS:

Office Hours will be posted early in the term. Office hours are available by appointment only and may be arranged by email or phone.

SUGGESTED SAXOPHONE EVENTS:

Please attend as many of the saxophone recitals as possible this semester, as your understanding of the characteristic saxophone tone as well as the standard repertoire for the instrument will be an invaluable aid in your future teaching. (Please get a program, signed by the performer and turn it in for extra credit.) A list of the saxophone recitals will be distributed near the beginning of the semester.


DAILY SCHEDULE: READING ASSIGNMENT

January 22 Get acquainted, syllabus, beginnings pp. 9-16
January 29 Posture/hand position & Breathing pp. 30-36
February 5 Building tone; the embouchure; overtones pp. 37-53
February 12 Tonguing pp. 79-90
February 19 Vibrato pp. 54-60
February 26 Trouble-shooting list. Playing exams Mag. Articles
March 5 Mid-term Exam
March 12 No Class – Spring Break
March 19 Intonation pp. 61-69
March 26 Playing exams
March 2 The mouthpiece and reeds pp. 17-29
March 9 Equipment
April 16 Technical Issues & Pedagogical materials pp. 69-79
April 23 Review
April 30 Final Exam: Written & Playing** (Turn in Notebooks)

**A final teaching exam will be scheduled near the end of the term,
and will occur during finals week.