Best Saxophone Songbooks of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Saxophone songbooks are a must-have for any aspiring or professional saxophonist. These books contain a wide range of music genres, from classical to jazz, and are designed to help players improve their skills and expand their repertoire. With a variety of levels and styles to choose from, saxophone songbooks cater to players of all abilities, from beginners to advanced musicians. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques or simply enjoy playing your favorite tunes, a saxophone songbook is an essential addition to any saxophonist's collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 (Rubank Educational Library) Cover #TOP 1
Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 (Rubank Educational Library)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone Cover #TOP 2
W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone
ftb score rating icon 9.7
101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax Cover #TOP 3
101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Saxophone Songbooks

Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 (Rubank Educational Library)

Voxman, H.
Gower, William
Rubank Publications
Aug 1, 1991
Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 (Rubank Educational Library) Cover
Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 (Rubank Educational Library)

The Rubank Advanced Method - Saxophone Vol. 1 is an excellent resource for any advanced saxophonist looking to enhance their skills. The book covers all major and minor keys, as well as providing specialized studies for articulation, fingering, flexibility, and sticking. Additionally, the book includes contest level duets and solos, making it a complete pedagogy for any saxophonist. The Rubank Advanced Methods are widely considered to be the gold standard of advanced instrumental study, and this book is no exception. Overall, this book is a must-have for any serious saxophonist looking to take their playing to the next level.

W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone

Bruce Pearson
Kjos Music Company
Dec 10, 1995
W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone Cover
W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone

The W21XE - Standard of Excellence Book 1 - Alto Saxophone is an excellent resource for those looking to learn and improve their saxophone skills. It combines a performance-centered approach with music theory, history, and other interdisciplinary studies, making it the most comprehensive band method available. Published by Kjos Music Company, this book is a great addition to any saxophone player's collection. The book's unique approach to teaching music sets it apart from other saxophone books on the market. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their saxophone skills.

#TOP 3

101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax

Hal Leonard Corp.
Hal Leonard
Jul 1, 2017
101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax Cover
101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax

The book "101 Popular Songs: for Alto Sax" is a comprehensive collection of instrumental versions of timeless pop songs. It includes popular hits like "Billie Jean," "Hey Jude," and "Sweet Home Alabama" among many others. The book is published by Hal Leonard LLC, the world's largest source of music performance and instructional materials. This book is a must-have for saxophonists looking to expand their repertoire and play some of the most iconic pop songs of all time.

How to Play Alto Sax in 14 Days: Daily Saxophone Lessons for Beginners (Play Music in 14 Days)

Gardner, Aaron
Nelson, Troy
Nov 11, 2021
How to Play Alto Sax in 14 Days: Daily Saxophone Lessons for Beginners (Play Music in 14 Days) Cover
How to Play Alto Sax in 14 Days: Daily Saxophone Lessons for Beginners (Play Music in 14 Days)

How to Play Alto Sax in 14 Days is an excellent saxophone book for beginners. The book is written by master instructor Aaron Gardner and provides step-by-step guidance on the essential elements needed to start playing the alto saxophone. The book includes short songs, melodies, and music exercises, all presented in standard notation with accompanying fingering charts or note identifiers to help beginners quickly apply the music to their saxophone. What sets this beginner alto sax book apart is its innovative approach to learning. The instructional material is easy to follow, and the book speeds up the learning process by including fingering charts or note identifiers in all songs, melodies, and music exercises. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn how to play the alto saxophone.

#TOP 5

101 Hit Songs: for Alto Sax

Various
Hal Leonard
Jan 1, 2017
101 Hit Songs: for Alto Sax Cover
101 Hit Songs: for Alto Sax

This book is a must-have for any alto saxophonist who loves popular music. With 101 hit songs to choose from, there is something for every taste. From modern hits like "Shake It Off" and "Uptown Funk" to classic favorites like "Fields of Gold" and "When You Say Nothing at All," this collection has it all. The book is published by Hal Leonard LLC, a trusted source for music performance and instructional materials. Overall, this book is a great resource for saxophonists looking to expand their repertoire and have fun playing popular songs.

#TOP 6

50 Pop Songs for Kids for Alto Sax

Various
Hal Leonard
Jan 1, 2021
50 Pop Songs for Kids for Alto Sax Cover
50 Pop Songs for Kids for Alto Sax

This book, titled "50 Pop Songs for Kids for Alto Sax," is an instrumental folio that allows kids to play their favorite contemporary songs on their saxophones. The book includes 50 popular songs such as "Believer" and "Don't Stop Believin'." Hal Leonard LLC, the publisher, has been the world's largest source of music performance and instructional materials since 1947. This book is an excellent resource for young saxophonists who want to learn and play popular songs. Overall, this book is a great choice for kids who want to learn how to play music they love on their saxophones.

#TOP 7

101 Disney Songs: for Alto Sax

Disney
Hal Leonard
Jan 1, 2018
101 Disney Songs: for Alto Sax Cover
101 Disney Songs: for Alto Sax

This book is a must-have for any Disney fan who plays the alto saxophone. The collection includes 101 instrumental favorites, such as "A Whole New World," "Let It Go," and "When You Wish upon a Star." The book is published by Hal Leonard LLC, the world's largest source of music performance and instructional materials. This means that the quality of the book is top-notch, and the songs are arranged in a way that is easy to learn and play. Overall, this book is a great addition to any music lover's collection and makes for a fun and enjoyable practice session.

#TOP 8

TRY1057 - Basic Jazz Conception for Saxophone Volume 1 - Book/CD

Lennie Niehaus
Try Publishing
Jan 1, 1966
TRY1057 - Basic Jazz Conception for Saxophone Volume 1 - Book/CD Cover
TRY1057 - Basic Jazz Conception for Saxophone Volume 1 - Book/CD

The Basic Jazz Conception for Saxophone Volume 1 is a popular Jazz etude book that contains 12 exercises and 10 etudes designed for sax but suitable for all instruments. The book comes with a play-along CD featuring a professional musician playing the etudes in three keys (Eb, Bb, and C) and accompanied by a piano, bass, and drums rhythm section. The unique stereo separation of the tracks allows the soloist to be eliminated, enabling the student to practice with piano, bass, and drums. This book is highly recommended for saxophonists of all levels and is a favorite among teachers.

#TOP 9

First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Sax

Hal Leonard Corp.
Hal Leonard
Dec 1, 2017
First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Sax Cover
First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Sax

The "First 50 Songs You Should Play on the Sax" is a great instrumental folio for saxophonists of all levels. This book includes a wide range of favorite songs, from pop hits to classical melodies, and folk songs, many of which originally featured sax. The book is published by Hal Leonard LLC, the world's largest source of music performance, and instructional materials. With a catalog of over a million products, they represent many of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time. This book is a must-have for any saxophonist looking to expand their repertoire.

#TOP 10

Selected Studies: for Saxophone (Rubank Educational Library)

Voxman, H.
Rubank Publications
Jan 1, 1991
Selected Studies: for Saxophone (Rubank Educational Library) Cover
Selected Studies: for Saxophone (Rubank Educational Library)

This book, Selected Studies: for Saxophone (Rubank Educational Library), is a great resource for advanced saxophone students. It features full-page etudes that are key-centered and supported by scale and arpeggio exercises, helping students reach the next level of performance. The book also includes performance pieces that are commonly included in all-state audition lists. Published by Rubank Publications, this book is a must-have for saxophonists looking to improve their skills and musicianship.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the name of that famous saxophone song?

"Baker Street"
GenreJazz rock, pop rock, soft rock
Length6:06 (album version) 4:10 (single version)
LabelUnited Artists
Songwriter(s)Gerry Rafferty

2. Can I teach myself saxophone?

If you don't feel like playing today, then don't. But, if you suddenly want to play your saxophone right now and learn something new, simply log in and pick a lesson ! There is no right or wrong with learning how to play the saxophone. ... It is completely and totally fine to teach yourself saxophone.

3. Which Saxophone Reed is best for beginners?

Recommended Reed Strength for Beginners

Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands. A size 2 reed is a great place to start for a beginner. Play on it for a while before switching to a 2.5, unless it feels entirely too soft, then 2.5 is okay.

4. What is the most expensive saxophone in the world?

Sold on September 8, 1994 at London's Christie's auction for $144,500, an ordinary Grafton alto is the world's most expensive saxophone.

Editor's Notes

During our saxophone songbook research, we found 1,200+ saxophone songbook products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,188 customer reviews through our big data system to write the saxophone songbooks list. We found that most customers choose saxophone songbooks with an average price of $13.84.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.