Making Music Matter, Book 2: Alto Sax

Elevate Your Performance and Musical Expression

Keep your momentum moving forward with Making Music Matter: Book 2 for Alto Saxophone, available at MusicMasters. Co-authored by celebrated composer Frank Ticheli and expert educator Gregory B. Rudgers, this second volume is the perfect continuation for intermediate alto saxophonists who have mastered basic performance fundamentals and are ready for more sophisticated musical concepts.

Book 2 shifts the focus from initial tone production toward deeper musical interpretation, stylistic awareness, and advanced section playing. Through a careful blend of diverse historical pieces, global folk songs, and compelling original works, this method builds technical agility and artistic maturity simultaneously, ensuring students remain engaged and challenged.

Product Benefits

• Artistic Skill Development: Focuses heavily on expressive playing, dynamics, phrasing, and articulation to help student saxophonists play with true musicality rather than just playing notes.
• Targeted Alto Sax Challenges: Features focused exercises that tackle the physical demands of the intermediate saxophonist, including upper-register fingerings, key signature changes, and chromatics.
• Cohesive Ensemble Integration: Fully compatible with all other instrument books in the Book 2 series, allowing directors to run efficient, unified full-band rehearsals.

Key Features

• A progressive curriculum that builds technique organically without reliance on tedious, unmusical drills.
• Includes comprehensive intermediate fingering reference charts and pedagogical reminders specific to the Eb Alto Saxophone.
• Introduces more complex rhythmic subdivisions, syncopation, expanded range extension, and new key signatures.
• High-quality notation and durable construction designed to withstand daily use in class, rehearsals, and home practice.

Technical Specifications