Learning to play the Saxophone

Updated january 2026

Hopefully when I revisit these in 6 months my tone and articulation have improved. Listening to yourself is good homework so you can fix mistakes.

Smile

"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin's 1936 movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, inspired by Puccini's Tosca. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.

Fly me to the moon

"Fly Me to the Moon", originally titled "In Other Words", is a song written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The first recording of the song was made in 1954 by Kaye Ballard.

Angel eyes

Who else (in the last verse/outro) has a clear picture of ol' Blue Eyes payin' his tab, puttin' on his fedora and overcoat, lightin' a smoke......and walkin' out the door of that dark, depressing tavern into the foggy night to find that rat bastard who stole his dame?

the very thought of you

"The Very Thought of You" is a pop standard that was recorded and published in 1934 with music and lyrics by Ray Noble. The song was first recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals for His Master's Voice in England in April 1934.

Misty

"Misty" is a jazz standard written and originally recorded in 1954 by pianist Erroll Garner. He composed it as an instrumental in the traditional 32-bar format, and recorded it on July 27, 1954. .

summertime

"Summertime" is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics, in two stanzas, are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based.