Essential Elements 2000: Eb Alto Saxophone, Book 1

This is a great book for the absolute beginner. The beginning of the book has vital information needed to properly care for the instrument and for learning proper embouchure. I used this when I was in 7th and 8th grade and now, over 10 years later, I am using it again to re-learn how to play.

I'm retired. I've played drums most of my life. Broke my left wrist just before last Christmas. Never healed 100%. Doctor says no promise for complete fix. So, I'll keep the use I do have for light percussion. I want to continue to play in the brass band I belong to. Decided to take up the clarinet as I don't have to twist or bend my wrist. I don't have an ongoing teacher. I bought this book because I noticed at lot of YouTube teachers were using it on their online courses. I do know a retired music teacher and see him when I feel I'm having an issue as I move along with the book. These books give you a very structured method for learning. Clear, concise presentation. If you want to learn an instrument, BUY this book. Again - teacher or not (at least some teacher recommended), you'll be glad to have this book. You'll see it become one of your best investments!

Easy to read and follow. Start at the beginning of the book and it walks you through how to read music and how to make notes so if you go through the book page by page your skills grow steadily. I played years ago and I'm enjoying the refresher. Also suitable for a new beginner - child or adult. Full fingering chart at back of book.

I initially passed on this book because it looked like it was designed mainly for students in band, but after talking to a friend who teaches band, he strongly recommended it for anyone learning clarinet. It is much better than the other book I initially purchased. It is broken up into a series of brief lessons that allow you to set your own pace and alternate between teaching new notes and keys and teaching simple songs that gradually increase in difficulty. As an adult who is teaching myself the clarinet, this is a great way to learn and motivates me to practice more than I had been before using it, and is well suited for learning with or without a teacher. The only and very minor shortcoming I have found so far is that it is a little brief in teaching things like how to assemble and care for the instrument and proper breathing and embouchure, but videos teaching those topics are easily found on YouTube and videos work better for those in the first place. This book is the first volume in a series of three, and I strongly recommend them for anyone learning clarinet, especially if you are working without an instructor.

It's an easy to follow method for any instrument there's a book for; any skill level; child or adult. It's awesome they (Hal Leonard) even made them for guitar and other stringed instruments; and there's even a book for the recorder! I am an Instrumental Music Education major and the faculty at my school and almost every music teacher I've come in contact with have recommended this series. Bottom line: Whether you are getting back into playing your instrument, starting on a new one, or your child is joining band; Essential Elements is the most highly recommended way to go!!!

Great book. I just started the sax today and could play a simple song in the first 10 minutes. I already play flute, so I have an advantage, but this book is extremely helpful. For an absolute beginner you just have to follow note and finger placement. The ebrochure (blowing) is the hardest part and the reason why most quit. This book won't help much there but there are countless resources to help you learn the right technique.

My 14 year old daughter decided she wants to switch instruments from French Horn to Alto Saxophone. She borrowed an instrument from the school and then used this book to get herself started teaching herself to play the sax. It's worked just fine. It has some stuff in it that was too easy, since she already knows how to read music, but it gave her some nice beginner music to work through, along with fingerings and tips for playing. She has finished this book and we ordered the 2nd book. This is the same book her school used when she first started an instrument in 5th grade.

Shoes in the picture that the cd and DVD come with the book but nope it doesn't. Instead it has 2 options on a card inside the book: 1. Instant stream/download 2. Get a free cd-rom in the mail or order online at [...] Not sure how long it will take for the cd-rom to arrive in the mail though. Other than that it's seems ok I guess. I am a piano player (I understand this is a Clarinet book), read music and play by ear person for 27 yrs.

As an adult who has played several other instruments and knows how to read music, I found this book to be at just the right level. Gives snippets of well known songs or simple classical pieces that increase in difficulty and use the notes learned thus far. New notes are introduced at just the right pace, along with timing details. You will probably want to supplement with a few YouTube videos about proper embouchure, how to get a good sound from notes that trouble you (in my case the very low notes), and for tricky fingerings - but these are readily available.

My suggestion for this book is KEEP IT!! All schools your child go to will recommend this book for band...so don't throw it away or lose it. You will end up purchasing it over and over (depending on the instrument your child plays)...Otherwise, donate it to the school after you're done with the school year. I guarantee a child will get good use of it.

This is a great book for the absolute beginner. The beginning of the book has vital information needed to properly care for the instrument and for learning proper embouchure. I used this when I was in 7th and 8th grade and now, over 10 years later, I am using it again to re-learn how to play.

I'm retired. I've played drums most of my life. Broke my left wrist just before last Christmas. Never healed 100%. Doctor says no promise for complete fix. So, I'll keep the use I do have for light percussion. I want to continue to play in the brass band I belong to. Decided to take up the clarinet as I don't have to twist or bend my wrist. I don't have an ongoing teacher. I bought this book because I noticed at lot of YouTube teachers were using it on their online courses. I do know a retired music teacher and see him when I feel I'm having an issue as I move along with the book. These books give you a very structured method for learning. Clear, concise presentation. If you want to learn an instrument, BUY this book. Again - teacher or not (at least some teacher recommended), you'll be glad to have this book. You'll see it become one of your best investments!

Easy to read and follow. Start at the beginning of the book and it walks you through how to read music and how to make notes so if you go through the book page by page your skills grow steadily. I played years ago and I'm enjoying the refresher. Also suitable for a new beginner - child or adult. Full fingering chart at back of book.

I initially passed on this book because it looked like it was designed mainly for students in band, but after talking to a friend who teaches band, he strongly recommended it for anyone learning clarinet. It is much better than the other book I initially purchased. It is broken up into a series of brief lessons that allow you to set your own pace and alternate between teaching new notes and keys and teaching simple songs that gradually increase in difficulty. As an adult who is teaching myself the clarinet, this is a great way to learn and motivates me to practice more than I had been before using it, and is well suited for learning with or without a teacher. The only and very minor shortcoming I have found so far is that it is a little brief in teaching things like how to assemble and care for the instrument and proper breathing and embouchure, but videos teaching those topics are easily found on YouTube and videos work better for those in the first place. This book is the first volume in a series of three, and I strongly recommend them for anyone learning clarinet, especially if you are working without an instructor.

It's an easy to follow method for any instrument there's a book for; any skill level; child or adult. It's awesome they (Hal Leonard) even made them for guitar and other stringed instruments; and there's even a book for the recorder! I am an Instrumental Music Education major and the faculty at my school and almost every music teacher I've come in contact with have recommended this series. Bottom line: Whether you are getting back into playing your instrument, starting on a new one, or your child is joining band; Essential Elements is the most highly recommended way to go!!!

Great book. I just started the sax today and could play a simple song in the first 10 minutes. I already play flute, so I have an advantage, but this book is extremely helpful. For an absolute beginner you just have to follow note and finger placement. The ebrochure (blowing) is the hardest part and the reason why most quit. This book won't help much there but there are countless resources to help you learn the right technique.

My 14 year old daughter decided she wants to switch instruments from French Horn to Alto Saxophone. She borrowed an instrument from the school and then used this book to get herself started teaching herself to play the sax. It's worked just fine. It has some stuff in it that was too easy, since she already knows how to read music, but it gave her some nice beginner music to work through, along with fingerings and tips for playing. She has finished this book and we ordered the 2nd book. This is the same book her school used when she first started an instrument in 5th grade.

Shoes in the picture that the cd and DVD come with the book but nope it doesn't. Instead it has 2 options on a card inside the book: 1. Instant stream/download 2. Get a free cd-rom in the mail or order online at [...] Not sure how long it will take for the cd-rom to arrive in the mail though. Other than that it's seems ok I guess. I am a piano player (I understand this is a Clarinet book), read music and play by ear person for 27 yrs.

As an adult who has played several other instruments and knows how to read music, I found this book to be at just the right level. Gives snippets of well known songs or simple classical pieces that increase in difficulty and use the notes learned thus far. New notes are introduced at just the right pace, along with timing details. You will probably want to supplement with a few YouTube videos about proper embouchure, how to get a good sound from notes that trouble you (in my case the very low notes), and for tricky fingerings - but these are readily available.

My suggestion for this book is KEEP IT!! All schools your child go to will recommend this book for band...so don't throw it away or lose it. You will end up purchasing it over and over (depending on the instrument your child plays)...Otherwise, donate it to the school after you're done with the school year. I guarantee a child will get good use of it.

Great starter book for teacher as well as self instruction. Fingering chart a great help but should be larger for us older folks. A trip to a copy center should fix that. A separate fingering insert would be even better. Good value.

This brought back memories of when I was in middle school band, and competing for first chair. It's been over 15years since I've played my alto sax and this was a good refresher! Once I get the hang of it and start to remember the fingering of the notes, I'll get another level book.

Comes with cd and dvd- had no idea!!! Those are worth it. And you don't even need the book if you use the dvd! Get this book. The songs sound cheesy, but the musical accompaniment helps.

I like that all the Essential Elements have the same set of music scores across the instruments: Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet and Clarinet.

Once I started lessons my teacher had me buy a different book, which is more of a grown up book, in that it doesn't have the silly songs you can only play when you are still in the lower register. But this came in handy, and was worth the price because of the fingering chart with is the newer French clarinet. The other book has a different, older clarinet in its fingering chart. And anyway, I like playing the kid songs in it.

There was a tutorial at the beginning of this book but still hard to understand if you no nothing about musical instruments. IMO book was well worth the money and a good investment, just unfortunately my son didn't follow through with the instrument.

Super disappointed. I was looking for clarinet, which was available in Kindle form, changed it to paperback and it changes the instrument to Sax. I should have read it instead of pressing order but super annoyed that the instrument completely changed when going from Kindle to paperback.

This book helped me alot in learning how to play clarinet and also helped me a bit on my ability to sight read music. The only complaint i had was that some of the fingering pictures got me confused a bit, other than that everything is fine.

My music teacher said I need to buy a book that everybody else is using. This one wasn't it.

My sons clarinet teacher requires this book for his students. It’s been 2 months and my son has improved so so much. I’m sure it’s mostly because of the teacher, but a part of it is because of this book he practices from.

Very easy to use my son said it’s easy to read and follow for his 1st year in band

This book is an awesome primer for the novice saxophone player!! My daughter's band director requested we purchase this book and it has been so easy to work with! She's only 10 and follows along easily! I am very impressed with the lessons, quizzes and theory practice! I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a great beginner guide!

Even though it was the Kindle version, the ad claims you can order the CD & DVD. I may be blind, but I can't figure out how to do it. Avoid at all costs.

Purchased Essential Elements for Band, Books 1 & 2, and Essential Techniques for Band, Book 3 by Hal Leonard along with a first Clarinet for my 11 year old granddaughter. Also purchased a second set for myself since i haven't played my Clarinet since 1957 in HS, and i want to see what she's learning. Surprised me, when her Father, (my son), was the first to use the books to assemble her Clarinet and played some basic notes without having any prior musical instrument experience. For me, at 73, it's a good refresher and I certainly need all the basics before I can progress to Hal Leonard's Clarinet Books "Songs of the 40's Songs of the 50"s, & Songs of the 60's".

Good book, but I expected more finger position pictures. Not really as helpful as I was expecting. I will be looking for another one .

exactly what the 6th grade band teacher wanted parents to get from a store that was way more ordered it on a Friday got it Sunday before his next class.

6th grade band. Son is learning a lot and starting to sound great.

These are a good way to balance learning and playing by ear and reading music. I recommend learning the tunes by reading but as soon as possible, close the book and repeatedly play along with the CD from memory. This will develop feel and rhythm.

I bought this book along with a Lazaro clarinet. I bought it just to say I played a reed instrument, but I've really taken a liking to it. This book has a fingering chart and lots of music to play. I've picked it up really quickly and it's because of this book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to learn clarient!

Exactly what I needed. Brand new. Saved me a bunch.

It seems like a really good helpful book. I am relearning and seems great for starting with basics with illustrations of keys.

This is very hard to use and understand.

Just like I remember from middle school.

The book itself is wonderful. The book used to come with a CD that the player could play along with. Now, it comes with an online key to access the accompaniment over the web. It sucks. The site is inaccessible unless you are formally enrolled in a class. Some people just want to learn to play in informal groups and for them a CD would have been better.

Perfect fast shipping and easy to read (big font/notes)

Staples are one third inch off center, one was half attached

Great beginners First book.

Exactly what my daughter needed for school. Much cheaper than the local music store.

My child is learning

Good for learning

This really got me started quickly, and is very easy to follow.

Excellent book

Good deal.Better than local instrument shop.

Item as expected

10 year old son lost his for band class, so had to order a new one. It's a great book for those starting out in band.

Great for my ten year old who just started playing Saxophone.

Great book for lessons!

I used this series back when I taught in public schools. The disk that comes with it is great, especially right now when your kid might have to teach themselves.

Came in great shape, exactly the book the band teacher required. Easy for my 9 year old to read and understand, pictures help to learn the notes.

Great price for the book we needed for my daughter's elementary band class at school. She played clarinet and this was great. Included the CD version, too! You have to mail away for it, but we got it!

This is not for someone just starting out on their own, there are only 2 pages of introductory material, then the rest is just practice scores. It's nothing like the Clarinet for Dummies book which has a lot of material for complete beginners.

Arrived fast... my daughter needed it the last limit and just right on time.... thank you

Exactly what I needed for my kid

I started using this book and it is perfect for me to learn to play the clarinet. I bought one on eBay and used to play in grade school and high school but I really rusty in my old age. I also play guitar and that helped me relearn to read music. I'm spending my "golden years" enjoying music to the fullness.

I loved it

Serves purpose..

Great learning tool. Perfect for new learner and those who want to go back to basics

Exactly what I wanted

This is great, and required, for many first year band members depending on the school.

Exactly what my daughter needed for school band class.

This book has been very beneficial for my daughter who is just learning to play the clarinet.

Book is geared for absolute beginners. Good for someone that wants to teach themselves how to play. Pros: * Describes how to place mouth on instrument. * How to assemble intrument(make sure the keys are not lined up when initially connecting the middle 2 pieces of the clarinet) * Not only instructs on fingering but also fundamentals such as type of notes/rest, tempo and such. * Uses familiar tunes. * Fingering chart located in the back of book. Cons: * A little slow getting started if you are already familiar with fundamentals. Cannot comment on the DVD or CD that is included as I have not used them yet. Overall very good book for beginners.

So useful for a beginner

My kid needed this for 4th grade band. I'm just happy I didn't have to go to the "local" music store to pick it up. Exactly what we needed in a very timely manner.

Good

WIFE IS HAPPY

Good learning book. No complaints

I bought this because the picture of the back of the book said it included a CD. It did not come with a CD. :(

Ordered this book for my daughters band class. Nice size, clear print & affordable.

This is an excellent book for someone who wants to learn to play the clarinet one their own. I ordered the Clarinet Fingering Chart along with it but the fingering chart included in the book is much easier to use.

Using for a beginner band student. Seems to be working.

Like

One of the reasons I chose this book was because access to essentialelementsinteractive.com was suppose to be included. I followed the activation process but it says the code is invalid or not found.

This book was actually recommended by my son's music teacher because this is the first year of band for the students in our district. It is very informative and easy to follow. We will actually be able to skip ahead a little from the class even without the teacher giving the assignments.

Great information for middle school students. My daughter said it is easy to read and learn.

I purchased 3 other books from other authors and found this book to be all I needed. It begins teaching the notes above the break and has songs to encourage the use of those notes. It moves quickly on to the keys below the break. It is the best book I believe to start on. It was recommended by a friend because of its easy pace. I certainly recommend this book for starting up on your own. In the back of the book there is a chart for playing all the keys and makes a clear progression from easy to more difficult. I began growing immediately. My husband who has played the Bb Clarinet gave me pointers on how to improve my posture and mouth for ease of playing. Tone is very important and you might benefit from an instructor because there are problems to encounter with breathing, throat and mouth--such problems would be clarified by having live instruction.

Perfect

Good book for beginners

Fourth grade band is not for the faint of heart... Hopefully as a parent I survive... Patiently waiting for the weather to warm up so I can move practice time outside.

I have resumed my playing of the clarinet after 50 years away. I highly recommend this as a good book for both the beginner and those restarting their clarinet playing. I find it an excellent book and works well with the Rubank Elementary book. They compliment each other.

Book 1 for the B Flat Clarinet. My son is familiar with this series, as each of his band instructors has asked for this, so it is what he chose when he picked up another instrument on his own. He can play the clarinet now, so the series must do something right.

As described

I learned how to play saxophone with Essential Elements!! Whether you are young, middle, or old... this is a great tool or companion piece to learning or getting your chops back in action!

great book but need a teacher to help you go along.

Best, most comphrehensive Alto Sax book out there! Used by most school districts and has become the standard for band starter books. Contains around 70% more material than others out there.

I am an adult that is relearning how to play. This book is great in helping me!

Great!

Came on time. Great for practice

It was as expected - a elementary / high school band book

havent played the sax in forever, wanted to get back into it. great book to start off with.

I used this in 5th grade and now my husband is using this updated version in his 20's. GREAT BRAND and series of books. Still going strong! It says something when a method and learning book is still around from the early 90's into today!

Great

No ripped pages and everyone is pretty good, the printing is also good.

Just what we were looking for.

Exelente

Great price compared to what they want at music stores in town

I highly recommend any of the Essential series book by Hal Leonard. They have been edited and updated throughout the years to be far superior to any other book I have come across for learning an instrument.

I'm 72 and decided I needed a new project, so my wife surprised me with a clarinet. This is a great guide for someone who knew how to play when he was a child and is not taking any formal lessons now.

Great educational resource

I'm only on the first page, but this book is EXTREMLEY GOOD if you're an absolute beginner. Meaning you cant read music at all. I love the way it's formatted as well :^)

Just what my son needed and at a good price

Just what the teacher asked for. Quickly delivered, & affordable couldn’t ask for much more

When i click on a Bb clarinet book I WANT A B FLAT CLARINET BOOK NOT AN ALTO SAX BOOK THEYRE NOT THE SAME INSTRUMENTS

Exactly what we needed.

Good tutorial for students

as expected

A+

It's great for beginners or if you already learned and you just want to play some songs!

easy to learn.

Received on time. No complaints.

Required at our school, well regarded

Perfect for beginners

Just what I wanted. Learned a few songs already. Great for a beginner or brushing up on past knowledge

Beginning Band book is great.

Easy to read large print. Good book.

Great teaching book

Ok

Music notes!

Great price for not having to travel 60+ miles to the music store to purchase!

6-8 band book

used all of the time for band

Great buy for school

Good quality book.

Arrived quickly as described. It's an easy to understand beginner book that really helps the student self teach.

Great fingering guide. Essential for any beginner- very old school basics with good learn to read music instructions. Post card offer for free cd, but I wish it came with the cd already.

This was the book recommended by her teacher and so far she is improving her skills.

My kid likes the book. Came on time.

The app automatically switched my order from a clarinet book to a saxophone book when choosing options like paperback Now im doing the most trying to retun it wasn’t looking forward all this

well it is I guess Ok for school band. This book designed to work with online account, where your school teacher buys "teacher version" of the book and creates account for class, and student buys "student version" and enrolls into the teacher's class. All advertised online tools do not work without this (without your teacher account). When you try to register your own code from the book to get access to the online tools- it asks for your teacher account. I bought it for self study- it is not the best choice.

As a private clarinet instructor, I have tried many different resources for teaching my students and finally settled on this one. I have found several strengths. I find it teaches concepts in a systematic way, though sometimes a bit too quickly. But the explanations are great, clear, concise and separated into a box for greater clarity. It uses familiar tunes. The CD is a great tool, it helps to develop both listening and rhythm skills (though the quality of the accompaniment is sometimes hokey). While I'm always looking for materials to more effectively teach my students, I recommend Essential Elements.

Bought this book for my little sister just starting out, the same one I used starting out.

Good book. Just know that this is the book for high school not middle school according to my daughters band teacher.

I bought this for my 5th grade daughter for band. This book was listed as new but there are several pages "dogeared" in the book. Not very happy about not it but she needs it asap so I can't send it back. Kind of disappointing...

Grandson had to have for school

Esta muy bien el libro

Great method. The CD is useful, but better have a pitch compensating player ;)

Useful for learning for kids.

Perfect!! Just what the teacher ordered!

I liked the book. I feel more inspired to practice my saxophone. I never thought much about my posture til I read this book. Good practice drills. Internet site is good and easy too.

Great

This book is required by my son's band teacher and his private teacher. I can only believe that it's very good.

Started learning and this is what the first book I was to get, so I could get familiar with the sax

Daughter needes this book to learn and practice for band arrived quickly and undamaged and does exactly what its suppose to

as expected

I had to get this for my sons band class. He is doing great! He has only been playing since September and already had his 1st clarinet concert. Thanks!!

I did not enjoy this method at all. Too baby (for an adult player) and dumb selection of songs.

Use it with my teacher at saxophone class, use it to practice at home. Really easy to understand.

My sisters loved it.

My daughter is in the 6th grade. Her instrument of choice was the clarinet. The band director wanted this book purchased.

Got here in a timely manner and is already being put to use!

Great beginner book!!

Need to contact seller. App states student activation code not found when following the instructions to create a new account.

👍

A perfect book for my 5th grade niece earning to play clarinet!

Very good book if learning to play the saxophone.

Easy to understand.

This is great training and study material. I am reconnecting with the Clarinet after a long layoff. With a month or two along with this material I can pick it up again.

Book used at school

its a music book, my son needed it for class and it is what it is...a required music book

This was great for playing music and learning tips and techniques. My daughter needed something to play from over summer break and this was an excellent choice.

This book has really helped me alot

Bought for a friend's kid. It was the required book.

My clarinet came with the wrong book it should it came with it clarinet book and not a saxophone book

Book came fast and was brand new as described. Thank you.

Love it

Fast shipping. As described.

Great book for my 3rd grade beginner!

Ordered a saxophone book and while the cover says it's for a saxophone the inside is all for the clarinet. Right cover...wrong book. Disappointed. Now I have to reorder.

Very good

Just what we were looking for!