Scale Schedule

Ever wonder what technical studies college students follow in developing facility on the saxophone? Below is the list UNCG students follow, semester by semester, extracted from the Studio Syllabus. Keep in mind that this is the minimum expected from our students.

Saxophone Technical Development

Developing a fluent and commanding technique on any music instrument takes a lifetime of ongoing and dedicated work. As my saxophone teacher was fond of saying "On n'arrive jamais" - we never arrive. The list of patterns, scales, and technical exercises we can construct is limitless, and moreover, as each individual is different, no one order will best suit all musicians. On the other hand, there are a few core technical skills that nearly all saxophonists learn during their undergraduate years of study. I have listed these skills below, in roughly the order I feel most beneficial. I have also listed a few guidelines to help in your study of scales. In the future I hope also to include examples of each scale and fingering choices to help guide you.

Suggestions for Practice

- Practice scales slowly
- Play all scales full range (unless otherwise indicated)
- Play scales evenly, without patterns
- After learning scales slurred, practice scales with all articulation patterns
- Always practice scales with a metronome
- Never play scales faster than you can play them perfectly
- In general, fingers should not lose contact with the keys
- Always practice scales with the best possible tone!
- Practice your scales every day
- Vary your technical routine continually (don't get into a rut)

151 - At the end of Semester 1 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills in 16th notes at quarter=104, in all articulation patterns.
•Chromatic Scale in 16ths-full range demonstrating all alternate fingering
•All Major scales and arpeggios full range
•Major Scales in 3rds through 3 accidentals (Londeix Les Gammes)

152 - At the end of Semester 2 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills in all articulation patterns:
Same as above in ALL KEYS
•All harmonic (full range) and melodic (one or two octaves) minor scales
•All minor arpeggios full range
•All skills up to quarter-note-104 minimum (16th notes) for MusEd./BA/Minor
•All skills up to quarter-note=120 minimum (16th notes) for PERFORMANCE MAJORS

251/551 - At the end of Semester 3 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•All skills from semesters 1-2 in 16th notes at quarter=120
•Extended range major scales through 4 accidentals (8th notes at quarter=60, semesters 3 and 4)
•Major Scales in Fourths through 4 accidentals
•Diminished Scales full range
•Fully-diminished Seventh arpeggios, all keys
ll new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

252/552 - At the end of Semester 4 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•Same as above in ALL KEYS.
•Whole-Tone Scales, full range
•Augmented Arpeggios in all keys
ll new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

351/651 - At the end of Semester 5 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•All skills from semesters 1-2 in 16th notes at quarter=132
-All skills from semesters 3-4 in 16th notes at quarter=120
•Major diatonic-seventh arpeggios full range through 4 accidentals
•Chromatic 2nds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)
ll new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

352/652 - At the end of Semester 6 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•Same as above in ALL KEYS.
•Chromatic Minor-thirds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)
ll new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

451 - At the end of Semester 7 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•All skills from semesters 1-6 in 16ths at quarter=138
•Extend all previous exercises into altissimo range
•Chromatic Major-thirds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)
ll new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

452- At the end of Semester 8 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
•All skills from semesters 1-7 up to quarter-note=138
•Chromatic Perfect 4ths full range (Kynaston Pg. 19)
ll new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

551 - • All of the previously listed skills

Technical Schedule

Major scales and arpeggios
Chromatic scale
Harmonic minor 
Melodic minor - one or two octaves
Whole-tone scales
Augmented arpeggios
Diminished / octotonic / half-whole scales
Diminished 7th / half-diminished 7th arpeggios
Major scales in diatonic 7ths
Modes: mixolydian, dorian, bebop, lydian augmented
Blues scales
Major scales in 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths
Major scales in running 3rds and 4ths
Major scales and arpeggios, extended range
Chromatic scale in major 2nds, minor 3rds, major 3rds, perfect 4ths, augmented 4ths, perfect 5ths 
Chromatic scale in running 3rds and 4ths
ltered / diminished-whole-tone / super-locrian scales