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Saxophone Lessons
The Laguna Niguel School of Music boasts world-class wind, reed, and brass instrumental instructors who teach saxophone, including alto sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, baritone, bass, and contrabass sax, and more - there are many! In addition to their education, degrees and credentials, and teaching careers, these teachers perform regularly and play with various California ensembles ranging from jazz bands to symphony orchestras.
We offer individual private lessons as well as small group lessons, combos, and band and orchestra ensembles. Limited space is available. Please contact us for more information or schedule an introductory music lesson.
Saxophone Lessons
(Alto, Tenor, Soprano, Baritone, Bass, and more!)
“This school far surpassed our expectations. The caring and highly skilled instructors cater to students’ individual needs. Dr. Frayne, director and owner, works extremely hard to build a community within his school. Students have the opportunity to perform in about 6 concerts per year. These concert venues range from parents who volunteered their homes, to community churches, to outside amphitheater venues, to indoor staged concerts. My daughter learned so much from her piano and voice teachers that she went from beginner Orchestra in 7th grade to advanced Orchestra in 8th grade. Thank you, Dr. Frayne and his staff. Your care and dedication show through in everything you do!”
— Catherine K.
“Saxophone lessons gave my son his own voice—and I don’t mean just playing notes. His teacher encouraged him to explore jazz improvisation from day one, and now he’s playing confidently in school ensembles. It’s been inspiring to see him take charge and enjoy performing!"
— Alex B.
“My daughter has totally found her groove with saxophone! Lessons here make band practice exciting instead of stressful.”
— Sarah N.
The saxophone is an awesome instrument to learn because it combines expressive versatility, a rich and dynamic tone, and the ability to shine in almost any genre — jazz, classical, pop, funk, rock, and beyond. It’s both powerful and lyrical, capable of cutting through a big band or delivering a soft, soulful solo. The saxophone’s key layout is also logical and ergonomic, making it relatively quick to pick up compared to many other wind instruments, while still offering a lifetime of challenge and growth for advanced players.
You don’t need to learn all the sizes at once — most players specialize in one and branch out later. The most common starting point is the alto saxophone: it’s lighter, easier to handle, and uses a smaller mouthpiece and reed than tenor or baritone, making it great for beginners. Tenor saxophone is also a popular choice for older students or those with larger hands, offering a deeper, warmer tone. Once you’ve mastered one, switching between alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone is much easier, since the fingerings are nearly identical — you’ll just adjust to differences in mouthpiece, reed size, and breath control.
Here’s a fun “Saxophone Roadmap” that takes you from beginner to multi-sax master while keeping the journey exciting and achievable:
🎷 Stage 1 – Find Your First Voice (Months 0–12)
Start with Alto Saxophone (most common choice) or Tenor Saxophone (if you prefer a deeper tone or have a bigger build).
Focus on tone production, breath support, and basic music reading.
Explore different styles — jazz, pop, classical, movie themes — to keep practice fun.
Build a small library of songs you love to play, so you’re always motivated.
🎷 Stage 2 – Expand Your Sound Palette (Year 1–2)
Once you’re confident on your starter horn, borrow or rent the other main size (alto if you started tenor, tenor if you started alto).
Learn to adapt your embouchure (mouth shape) and air support for the different mouthpiece/reed size.
Experiment with ensemble playing — jazz band, concert band, or sax quartets — so you hear how the voices blend.
🎷 Stage 3 – The Specialty Saxes (Year 2–4)
Add Soprano Saxophone for bright, pure tones and lyrical melodies.
Try Baritone Saxophone for deep, resonant bass lines that anchor the group.
Develop your reed selection, mouthpiece collection, and tuning skills — different horns respond differently.
🎷 Stage 4 – The Multi-Sax Artist (Year 4+)
Be comfortable switching between 3–4 sizes depending on the gig.
Learn doubles like flute or clarinet if you’re interested in pit orchestra or studio work.
Build a repertoire on each instrument so you can shine in any musical setting.
Bonus Tip: Because the saxophone family shares nearly identical fingerings, your biggest challenge when switching will be adjusting breath control and embouchure — not re-learning notes. That means every new size you add multiplies your musical opportunities without starting from scratch.
Individual Private Saxophone Lessons
There are many reasons why students and families prefer individual music lessons on their wind, reed, and brass instruments. The three biggest advantages involve one-on-one teacher instruction, curriculum, pacing, and schedule customization, and preparation for outside activities such as recitals, exams (e.g., Music Teacher Association of California Certificate of Merit), special performances, competitions, and auditions (e.g., for Orange County School of the Arts, the Saddleback College Applied Music Program, or university/conservatory entrance requirements).
One-on-one Teacher Instruction - students receive individual private instruction from their teacher. The entire lesson time and all of the teacher’s attention are devoted to one student.
Curriculum, Pacing, and Schedule Customization - teachers have the flexibility to tailor the curriculum and pacing of instruction to each individual student. For example, additional saxophone pieces can be added to the sequencing, substitute pieces, or pieces of special interest to the student. A student who loves a particular style or genre of music can focus more on that music in lessons. In addition, there are likely more day and time options available for individual lessons (ensemble days and times may be predetermined according to the course catalog and class schedules).
Preparation for Outside Activities - students who wish to play non-standard repertoire at recitals (such as themed music) or want/need to learn pieces for special performances, competitions, or auditions can do so more easily by taking individual music lessons. Also, students who wish to participate in exams such as MTAC CM and others can get the dedicated instruction they need during their regular lessons (students in ensembles can do these things but must take the extra weekly class rather than do the work in their group setting.)
Small Group Saxophone Lessons
There are many reasons why students and families prefer ensembles or small group music lessons. The three biggest advantages involve affordability, the pacing of instruction, and the social aspect of learning with others and interacting with peers.
Affordability - ensembles and group music lessons cost less. There are some variables, but the average cost of ensembles and group music lessons is about 50% of the cost of private lessons.
Pacing of Instruction - ensembles and group music lessons encourage students to keep on pace. Students in the ensemble or class move through the curriculum together, and, with guidance and encouragement from the teacher, create a learning environment that is supportive, nurturing, collaborative, and mutually rewarding. Students get very comfortable playing in front of others, and always have a small audience to practice performing for, which stimulates the development and improves progress.
Social Aspect - many students enjoy learning with others and interacting with peers. We strive to place students into appropriate age groupings, and in these learning environments, close bonds and lasting friendships often develop. Students have more opportunities to play duets and make music together as an ensemble, which can help with rhythm, blend, and teamwork, and better prepare them for school music such as band, choir, and orchestra.
The saxophone, with its warm, expressive tone and wide range, effortlessly bridges genres from jazz to classical, offering a versatile and captivating voice in any musical setting.
Did You Know?… There are as many as 14 different types of Saxophones!
The saxophone, with its warm and expressive tone, is a remarkably versatile instrument that spans a broad range of musical genres, from jazz to classical. Its distinctive voice is achieved through a combination of its single-reed mouthpiece and the unique shape of its brass body, which allows for a rich, resonant sound. The saxophone family includes various sizes and keys, each bringing its own character to the music. The soprano saxophone, with its bright and penetrating sound, is often featured in solo performances and jazz ensembles, while the alto saxophone, known for its balanced and versatile tone, is a staple in both concert bands and orchestras.
The tenor saxophone, larger than the alto, offers a deeper, more resonant sound that lends itself well to both powerful solos and smooth, melodic lines. Its robust timbre makes it a popular choice in jazz bands and big bands, where it often plays a prominent role. The baritone saxophone, the largest of the standard saxophones, provides a rich, lower register that adds depth and warmth to the ensemble. Each of these saxophones contributes uniquely to the ensemble's sound, allowing musicians to explore a wide range of musical expressions and styles.
In addition to the common soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, there are also less common varieties like the bass saxophone and the contrabass saxophone, which extend the saxophone family’s range even further. The bass saxophone, with its deep, resonant tones, often adds a powerful bass line to larger ensembles, while the contrabass saxophone, one of the largest, provides an extraordinarily low register that is rarely heard but incredibly impactful. The saxophone’s diverse range of sizes and keys, combined with its expressive capabilities, makes it a captivating instrument that continues to inspire musicians across many genres and settings.
“I would highly recommend Dr. Dennis as a music instructor for anyone interested in pursuing the rewarding experience of watching their child develop as a musician in a positive, enriching, and encouraging environment, individually tailored to each student’s specific needs. The progress I've seen from each of my children is absolutely invaluable.”
— Aaron P.