Amazing Phrasing 50 Ways to Improve Your Improvisational Skills by Dennis Taylor Alto Saxophone - Sheet Music

By Dennis Taylor

Amazing Phrasing is for any sax player interested in learning how to improvise and how to improve their creative phrasing. The ideas are divided into three sections: Harmony (explores scales, arpeggios, chord substitutions, harmonic embellishments, and other harmonic phrasing ideas), Rhythm (covers legato tonguing, swing feel, rhythmic displacement, how to manipulate time, and other aspects of rhythmic phrasing), Melody (discusses contour lines, making patterns musical, developing a motif, building a solo, and many other melodic phrasing ideas). The accompanying audio tracks include demos for listening, as well as many play-along examples so you can practice improvising over various musical styles and progressions. The price of this book includes a unique code that provides access to audio tracks online, for download or streaming. The tracks include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right – available exclusively from Hal Leonard.

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Details

Instrument:
Alto Saxophone Saxophone Solo
Publishers:
Hal Leonard
UPC:
073999452341
ISBN:
9780634074363
Format:
Collection / Songbook Book and Digital Audio
Item types:
Physical
Instructionals:
Improvisation
Artist:
Dennis Taylor
Usages:
School and Community
Number of Pages:
104
Size:
9.0x12.0x0.253 inches
Shipping Weight:
0.99 pounds

Alto Sax, Book/Online Audio Saxophone

SKU: HL.311108

50 Ways to Improve Your Improvisational Skills. Sax Instruction. Play Along. Softcover Audio Online. 104 pages. Hal Leonard #311108. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.311108).

ISBN 9780634074363. UPC: 073999452341. 9.0x12.0x0.253 inches.

Amazing Phrasing is for any sax player interested in learning how to improvise and how to improve their creative phrasing. The ideas are divided into three sections: Harmony (explores scales, arpeggios, chord substitutions, harmonic embellishments, and other harmonic phrasing ideas), Rhythm (covers legato tonguing, swing feel, rhythmic displacement, how to manipulate time, and other aspects of rhythmic phrasing), Melody (discusses contour lines, making patterns musical, developing a motif, building a solo, and many other melodic phrasing ideas). The accompanying audio tracks include demos for listening, as well as many play-along examples so you can practice improvising over various musical styles and progressions. The price of this book includes a unique code that provides access to audio tracks online, for download or streaming. The tracks include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right – available exclusively from Hal Leonard.

Ratings + Reviews

4.5 Rating

4 reviews

Anonymous

Dec 17, 2025

Structured Approach to Ensemble Improv Dynamics

For developing improvisers in an ensemble context, this book offers a great framework. The Harmony and Melody sections provide clear methods for crafting lines that contribute meaningfully, emphasizing good 'voice-leading' within a solo. Understanding rhythmic displacement and manipulating time (from the Rhythm section) is crucial for dynamic interplay. While focused on solo sax, the principles translate well to how an improviser supports or leads within a group.

Anonymous

Dec 16, 2025

Excellent Resource for Developing Improvisers

Dennis Taylor's 'Amazing Phrasing' is a meticulously structured guide for alto sax students. The division into Harmony, Rhythm, and Melody sections provides a clear progression for skill development. While not for absolute beginners, intermediate students will find the concepts and play-along audio invaluable for mastering improvisational techniques. Its clear layout and comprehensive approach make it an outstanding teaching aid for building strong rhythmic and melodic phrasing.

David K.

Dec 16, 2025

Practical Improv Skills for Gigs

This book delivers exactly what a working saxophonist needs for improv: solid, usable concepts. The focus on harmonic and rhythmic phrasing, combined with the play-along audio, makes practice efficient and effective. It builds a strong foundation for crafting versatile solos. It's an excellent tool to expand your improvisational vocabulary quickly and ensure you can deliver a great solo in various musical settings.

Prodigalsax

May 17, 2011

amazing phrasing

Not for the beginner. Unable to determine what the work is intended to provide. Difficult to follow or understand the process.

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Who is this sheet music best suited for?

This score is ideal for Alto Saxophone players seeking to improve jazz/improvisational phrasing techniques. The Alto Saxophone instrumentation is perfect for developing improvisational skills, allowing musicians to clearly identify its instructional goal, benefit from included audio access for supplementary learning, and trust the high production quality of a reputable publisher.

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