Arias: Thirteen Etudes, and Sonata for Alto Saxophone and PIano.
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Format: Set of Parts
- ISMN:
- Size: 8.7 x 12.0 inches
- Pages: 47
Description
Thirteen Etudes for the Developing Contemporary Saxophonist and Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Spencer Arias (2025)
Throughout my career as a musician, I have worked extensively in spaces where saxophone was present. It was my instrument starting in 7th grade and all through college. It has also been the instrument that has defined my compositional output since college. Throughout this time, what was missing from my studies was a series of learning pieces to help me better understand this instrument so that I could play the music that was exciting me with a little less frustration. A book that was more closely designed for this instrument. While the Ferling Etude book written in 1840 is a fantastic resource, its design does not have the saxophone repertoire in mind since it was designed for the oboe, and the saxophone was not even invented yet (1846 was the first patent). While I did not take the saxophone performance path, I am very familiar with many of the challenges saxophonists face in their studies. This is from personal experience as a player and through conversations with professional saxophonists and saxophone educators. As someone who has written extensively for the instrument, I felt uniquely qualified as a Composer with a background in Pedagogy, with extensive knowledge of this instrument to complete this book, which is why when Elizabeth Rosisbum approached me at a NASA in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 2023 I knew that this was something that could be important and have an incredibly positive impact on our community.
One of the most essential parts of creating this book was not what I deemed to be the most important but what we, as a community, deemed most important. Now, with such a diverse community, what we consider essential is incredibly subjective. Hence, we found many individuals to sign onto this project. Elizabeth and I collaborated to curate a group of 6 additional individuals to act as a Pedagogy Team.
Pedagogy Team Elizabeth Rosinbum Jeffrey Leung Tina Wang Nathan Mertens Crystal Alexander-Duckett Joshua Thomas
This book is intended to follow a developing saxophonist's growth. Some of the etudes, particularly the later ones, may be more appropriate after developing specific skills. Alongside the etudes is a companion page with pedagogical tips, as written by saxophonists who not only supported this project but are also people I respect and admire. The book has been designed with the intention that the person learning these etudes adopt a growth mindset, that learning does not happen in a straight line, and that some skills require development with time.
Finally, the included Sonata at the end was designed to be played after working through most of these etudes. The main prompt was to have a new work for alto and piano with accessible piano parts so that finding a pianist who is willing to work with a saxophonist could be a bit more approachable for those less familiar with the repertoire.
Etudes: I. Sense of Time II. Forks and Bis III. Lower, Slower, Softer, Whole-tone IV. Pulse and Syncopation V. Compound VI. Octatonic VII. Dance of the 16ths VIII. Groove IX. Angularity X. Lyrical 12-Tone XI. Asymmetry XII. Extended Exploration XIII. Improvisation
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano I. with Rage II. Gentle III. On Alert
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
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With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Arias: Thirteen Etudes, and Sonata for Alto Saxophone and PIano.
