Gear article
Faber Team Woodwind Saxophone in Bb Tuition Book
The Team Woodwind Saxophone in Bb is a comprehensive tuition method published by Faber Music, designed for beginner players of the tenor saxophone. It offers a flexible educational course suitable for individual study, group lessons, or classroom environments, covering essential performance techniques and musical theory.

Overview
The Team Woodwind Saxophone in Bb book is an established educational resource within the woodwind pedagogy market. It is specifically tailored for students learning the tenor saxophone, providing a structured yet flexible path from the initial stages of playing through to intermediate proficiency. The method is widely used by peripatetic teachers due to its versatility across different teaching formats, including one-on-one sessions and larger ensemble classes.
Educational Content and Features
The curriculum within the book is built around a carefully graded selection of music designed to develop technical facility alongside musicality. Key features include:
- Diverse Repertoire: Pieces spanning Baroque, Classical, Film, Jazz, and Latin American styles.
- Technical Foundation: Dedicated sections for scales and arpeggios to build finger dexterity.
- Aural and Creative Skills: Integration of instrument-related aural training, improvisation prompts, and composition exercises.
- Audio Support: Over 70 backing tracks are included to help students develop their sense of rhythm and ensemble playing.

Methodology
Faber's approach in the Team Woodwind series emphasises a holistic musical education. Rather than focusing solely on rote learning of notes, the book encourages students to engage with the creative aspects of the saxophone. By incorporating improvisation and composition tasks, the method helps students understand the building blocks of music early in their development. The inclusion of various genres ensures that learners remain engaged by exploring different tonal palettes and rhythmic structures.
Suitability and Use Cases
This book is primarily aimed at beginner woodwind players. Because it is written for Bb instruments, it is the standard choice for those starting on the tenor saxophone. Its flexible design makes it particularly effective for music hubs and schools where students may be learning in mixed-ability groups. While the book provides the core curriculum, it is often used alongside hardware accessories such as D'Addario or Vandoren reeds and Yamaha mouthpieces to ensure the student has a functional setup for practice.
Related gear
£21.70 ($28)Daddario
DAddario Organic Select Jazz Unfiled Tenor Sax Reeds 4H (5 Pack)
£31.00 ($39)Rovner
Rovner 3RL Dark Bass Clarinet/Saxophone Ligature and Cap
£23.50 ($30)Vandoren
Vandoren Java Tenor Saxophone Reeds 1.5 (5 Pack)
£25.25 ($32)Daddario
DAddario Organic Select Jazz Filed Alto Sax Reeds 4M (10 Pack)
£7,531.00 ($9,564)Yamaha
Yamaha YBS480 Baritone Saxophone Silver Plate
£40.00 ($51)Yamaha
Yamaha 5C Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
£80.90 ($103)Vandoren
Vandoren Cuir Alto Sax Ligature Leather with Leather Cap
£392.00 ($498)JodyJazz Inc.
JodyJazz Super Jet Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece 6
Frequently asked questions
- What instrument is this book designed for?
- This specific volume of Team Woodwind is designed for the Bb Saxophone, which primarily refers to the Tenor Saxophone in a beginner context.
- Is this book suitable for absolute beginners?
- Yes, the book is specifically marketed for beginner players and covers the essentials of saxophone performance from the ground up.
- Can I use this book for self-study?
- While it is designed to be flexible enough for individual use, it is frequently used as a guided lesson book within a teacher-led curriculum.
- Does the book include any audio components?
- Yes, the publication includes over 70 backing tracks to assist students with their practice and performance timing.
- What musical styles are covered in the repertoire?
- The book features a wide range of styles including Baroque, Classical, Film music, Jazz, and Latin American genres.
- Does the book cover music theory?
- Yes, it includes sections on scales, arpeggios, and instrument-related aural skills to provide a rounded musical foundation.
- Are there creative exercises included?
- The book provides specific encouragement and exercises for both improvisation and composition.
- Can this book be used in a classroom setting?
- Yes, the course is tailored to suit individual students, small groups, or entire classes.
- Who is the publisher of Team Woodwind?
- The Team Woodwind series is published by Faber Music, a leading publisher of educational music materials.
- What is the typical price for this tuition book?
- The typical price for the Team Woodwind Saxophone in Bb book is approximately £15.00.
- Does this book work for Alto Saxophone?
- No, this version is specifically for Bb instruments like the Tenor Saxophone. Alto saxophones are Eb instruments and would require the corresponding Eb version of the book.
- What technical skills will a student learn?
- Students will learn essential saxophone performance techniques, including note reading, fingering, scales, and rhythmic accuracy through graded pieces.
