← Saxophone · Songs · about 30 min
Songs in G
Four real tunes you can play with the notes of your G scale.
Your notes
All four songs use only six notes from your G major scale: G, A, B, C, D, and E. You already know them. Not every song uses every note.
D and E use the octave key, so press your left thumb for them. All songs are in 4/4: four beats in every measure. Start slowly, at about 60 beats per minute.
Filled circle = press that key. Empty circle = leave it up. Numbers are fingers: 1 is your index finger.
Ode to Joy
By Beethoven. It moves almost entirely by step, so your fingers just walk up and down your scale.
The dot after a quarter note makes it last one and a half beats. Count it: “3 – and – 4, 1.” The next note (an eighth) is short.
Press play to hear it, or turn the tempo down and play along.
Slide the staff sideways on a small screen. This tune is in the public domain.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Three notes, over and over, then a jump up to D. Half notes get two beats, so hold them and keep your air steady.
Press play to hear it, or turn the tempo down and play along.
A traditional tune in the public domain.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
The jump from G up to D is the challenge here. Take it slowly, and press the octave key for D and E. The last two lines repeat the first two.
Press play to hear it, or turn the tempo down and play along.
A traditional tune in the public domain.
Au clair de la lune
A gentle French folk song. Play it softly and smoothly. Try slurring it, tonguing only the first note of each phrase.
Press play to hear it, or turn the tempo down and play along.
A traditional French tune in the public domain.
How to practice a song
Say it first
Say the note names out loud in rhythm before you play.
One measure at a time
Play measure 1 four times, then measure 2, then both together. Keep a steady beat.
Start slow
Use the metronome at 60. Only go faster when it is easy.
Play it for someone
Perform it for a friend or family member. That is the best practice there is.