How do I start learning saxophone as a beginner?

Begin with a course built for first-timers, such as James Rae's “Saxophone: First Notes,” which covers assembling the instrument, your embouchure and your first notes before building up reading and range.

Can I learn saxophone online without a teacher?

Yes. Structured video courses let you copy embouchure and fingering closely and repeat exercises at your own pace, which suits the saxophone well.

Should I start on an alto or tenor saxophone?

Alto is the usual starting point — it's smaller, lighter and slightly easier to blow — but tenor is a fine choice if that's the sound you love. The technique transfers between them.

How long does it take to learn the saxophone?

Most beginners play simple tunes within a few weeks; developing a strong tone and jazz vocabulary takes months to years of regular practice.

Which courses are best for jazz saxophone?

Ollie Weston's two-part “Exploring Jazz Saxophone” covers getting started and then soloing over songs and chord sequences.

Saxophone courses — jazz, graded method, first notes

How to learn saxophone online

Learning saxophone online means working through structured video lessons at your own pace — building tone and breath control, reading rhythm, and soloing over songs — rather than attending weekly in-person lessons. MusicGurus has nine saxophone courses spanning your first notes to jazz improvisation, taught by professional players including Ollie Weston, James Rae and John O'Neill.

Complete beginners should start with James Rae's “Saxophone: First Notes” and work through his graded series; from there, Ollie Weston's “Exploring Jazz Saxophone” covers soloing over chord sequences.

Saxophone

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Introducing the Saxophone — James Rae’s method

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How to learn saxophone online

Common questions

Trending saxophone courses

Introducing the Saxophone — James Rae’s method

Jazz & beyond