Going a bit off topic, I just think these are essential, I hope you find it informative since this is all about starting to play the sax: I started on these books and they have proved to excel me in my sax playing. These are must haves: (IMHO
)
Standard of Excellence Book 1 (red):
I like this book when I'm learning a new instrument because they have common tunes that everyone knows, and you will also know when you are playing a wrong note (for example, I started on sax and tried to pick up clarinet, started to play a common song, it really didn't sound right, and then I realized I was using the sax fingering for B instead of clarinet B.)
Rubank's Elementary Method (They also have the Intermediate and Advanced method, these are great books and teach not only the notes and rhythms, but tecnique. I never used it for sax, but I am aware there is one, but I use it for clarinet and it's very fast paced.
When you get to knowing all the fingerings of notes and can play them well, go on to:
Salviani-Iasilli
It's some basic sight reading using practical keys...really just a lot of patterns...
The Universal Method is the best book ever. Basically how I learned to play sax. My lessons teacher MADE me buy this book. I don't regret it.
When you get there (you can buy it now just for kicks
), get Ferling's 48 Famous Studies. That's a book that you will ALWAYS be working on...
Wow, I never write a long post like this. You're a nice guy. I don't mind doing it.
Have fun practicing when you get your sax!
--BSG