One of the most difficult challenges in wind instrument pedagogy is teaching what can’t be seen. The external embouchure, hand positions, fingerings, posture, etc., are easy enough, but much of what happens to create saxophone tone is in the vocal tract (from the vocal folds to the embouchure). Through fluoroscopy (x-ray), endoscopy (probe camera), and other means, Dr. Watkins has revealed secrets invaluable to the serious teacher and student. His research into the saxophonist’s vocal tract and resultant tried and true application has spanned over twenty years. This book is marvelously laid out with explanations, exercises, illustrations, and over 100 video clips allowing the saxophonist a deeper understanding and greater flexibility.
“Because of its scope, depth of scientific analysis (whilst never losing the overriding importance of studying performance techniques), excellent structure and presentation, this is surely one of the best books on the instrument ever produced.”
Richard Ingham
President, Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain
Honorary Professor, University of St Andrews, Scotland
Editor, Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone (Cambridge University Press)
"This is a really fantastic book! Mark Watkins has dedicated many years of research to uncovering the hidden, inner workings of saxophone playing. The documentation of the different approaches to saxophone fundamentals—both text and video—is invaluable. This book should become a seminal work in saxophone pedagogy.”
Dr. Thomas P. Walsh
Director of Jazz Studies, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
“Already well-respected in our community, Mark Watkins’ dedication to the scholarship and pedagogy regarding the saxophonist’s vocal tract gains new audiences through this publication. The synthesis of in-depth scientific and pedagogical information will be valuable for other instrumentalists, teachers, and researchers.”
Dr. Julia Nolan
Director of Scholarly Publications, North American Saxophone Alliance
Saxophone Faculty, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, University of British Columbia
"Mark Watkins has addressed the question ‘What goes on inside a saxophonist?’ with his own careful experiments, with extensive reading, and by asking experts in music and in acoustics. The result is an impressive synthesis."
Dr. Joe Wolfe
Professor of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney
“This book represents, without a doubt, the most comprehensive research ever undertaken of every aspect of the saxophone vocal tract. It will be a marvelous resource to every saxophone pedagogue and to the serious saxophone student.”
Dr. C. Raymond Smith
Professor of Music, Brigham Young University
