Category Archives: Beginner

Beginner, II-V-I, Intermediate, Learning methods/inspiration, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

Practice The Difficult Things: Phrasing, Timing, Ear-Training

27 January, 2023 Søren Ballegaard

Here is my way to become better at what you really suck at.
The fastest way to become a better improviser and generally a better player is practicing the things you are not good at.
But practicing the things you suck at are also the most challenging and most difficult to face.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Lick based scale exercises
-Licks and exercises added articulation marks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 Hard Skills That Pay Off
00:53 Rhythm, Timing, Articulation, Ear-training
01:13 Strong Articulation
02:29 Play With Great Timing
02:59 Always add the Metronome
03:23 Train You Technique Like You Are Playing Music
04:31 Play What You Hear
05:36 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/77809400

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
The Best Method To Master All Keys
https://youtu.be/KjCQKlYCDTw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72993141
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-best-method-to-master-all-keys/

The Saxophone Skills That Pay Off Forever
https://youtu.be/yUPHsKe4rok
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71005751
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-saxophone-skills-that-pay-off-forever/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

16th notes, Advanced, Alterations, Bebop, Beginner, Blues, Blues scales, Chord note solos, Chords, Coltrane, Coltrane Changes, Diatonic approach, II-V-I, Intermediate, Learning methods/inspiration, Minor, Music theory, News, Patreon Tier 20 Access, Pentatonic scales, Saxophones and mouthpieces, Scales, SOUND/INTONATION/EMBOUCHURE, Standards, Technique, Tier 5, Timing, Triads

Tier 20 Patreon Access

6 January, 2023 Søren Ballegaard

Consider joining me on Tier 20 on Patreon.

You will get access to almost unlimited amounts of material.
This includes of course the weekly video lesson transcriptions and the 50+ manual with extra exercises.

But you also gain access to more than 1000+ pages of solo manuals and exercise PDF books in this list.
All on tier 20
Sign up here on tier 20

Full solo manual – Autumn Leaves
https://www.patreon.com/posts/42774284

Full solo manual – Blue Bossa
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43097272

Full solo manual – Pent Up House – for both Alto and Tenor
https://www.patreon.com/posts/44332147

Full solo manual – Perdido – for both Alto and Tenor
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43528942

Full solo manual – Take The A-train – for both Alto and Tenor
https://www.patreon.com/posts/44883581

Full solo manual – There Will Never Be Another You
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43814415

Full solo manual – Rhythm Changes
https://www.patreon.com/posts/47414602

Full solo manual – Blues in concert, alto and tenor key
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72950631

Solo transcription – Blue Bossa – diatonic chord and scale solo
https://www.patreon.com/posts/46780162

Solo transcription – On the sunny side of the street – diatonic chord and scale solo
https://www.patreon.com/posts/46123983

Pentatonic manual vol.1
https://www.patreon.com/posts/39388094

Bebop practice manual – chromatic surrounding notes – exercises and licks
https://www.patreon.com/posts/39557131

The overtone manual – exercises and licks Get better control
http://patreon.com/posts/38835806

23 functional major scale exercises + 46 example licks on how to apply
https://www.patreon.com/posts/38397480

Train your rhythm feel – exercises exploring quarter note and eight notes phrases
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37622527

60 scale patterns on functional harmony + 20 II-V-I licks using scale patterns
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37364646

64 ways to play a Cmaj chord + 20 I-V-I-V licks to be played on Rhythm Changes
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37364560

50 shades of Blues – dominant seven building blocks and 20 I-IV dominant lines
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36808560

20 basic minor II-V-I building blocks + 20 basic minor II-V-I licks – by Søren Ballegaard
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36620722

32 chromatic approach note bulding blocks + 20 II-V-I using chromaticism
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36621031

3 of the greatest bebop licks and 100 ways to practise and use them
https://www.patreon.com/posts/44072387

18 musical scale exercises applied to the major scale+examples licks on how to use
https://www.patreon.com/posts/38124808

32 chromatic bebop approach note structures and 20 chromatic bebop
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36621031

64 minor + alternate minor chord building blocks + 24 II-V-I lines using alternate minor
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37917989

64 ways to play a Cmaj chord + 20 I-V-I-V licks to be played on Rhythm Changes
https://www.patreon.com/posts/64-ways-to-play-37364560

74 one bar tritone substitute dominant lines + 20 II-V-I
https://www.patreon.com/posts/39102946

Add ons for minor chord solos – minor 6, minor 9, minor major, dominant 7(b9)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43252315

Beginning the blues with one pentatonic scale
https://www.patreon.com/posts/44581076

Blues licks and scales compendium
https://www.patreon.com/posts/47710439

Chord note solo manual – effortless soloing using only chord notes
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41934321

Chord pattern exercise manual – basic 7th chords of the major scale
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41195255

Coltrane basic pattern practise module – major 9 – minor 9 – dominant 9 chords
https://www.patreon.com/posts/42239209

Dominant chord and scale alteration manual – b9 and b13
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41666654

Jazz Improvisation step 1 – the chords – blues in C
https://www.patreon.com/posts/40669564

Jazz improvisation step 2 – from chords to scales – tenor and alto
https://www.patreon.com/posts/42483935

Play great melodies toolbook
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41448250

The overtone exercise manual 1.0
https://www.patreon.com/posts/38835806

The Ultimate Practice Program Planner
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37806877

SØREN BALLEGAARD SCALE PRACTICE PDF
https://www.patreon.com/posts/37806462

Beginner, Blues, Chord note solos, Chords, Coltrane, Intermediate, Standards, Tier 5

Coltrane’s Genius Blues Approach is Crazy simple

2 December, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Coltranes blues sound is so powerful because of the simplicity and how Coltrane applies his lines to the blues.
Begin using these Coltrane short blues phrases to build your own blues phrases.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Coltrane short blues licks
-Short licks blues etudes
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto, Concert keys and bass clef.

In this tutorial
00:00 Coltrane’s Genius Blues Approach is Crazy simple
00:24 Simplicity and Clarity – only chord notes
01:44 Creativity – invert and mix up licks
03:16 Practice to play from all chord tones
03:11 Sonny Rollins II-V-I lick
03:50 Play musically – listen carefully
04:23 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/75402644

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
What Coltrane Can Teach You About Dominants https://youtu.be/4v_ny0Pu4iQ
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71686461
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-coltrane-can-teach-you-about-dominants/

What Coltrane Can Teach You About The Blues https://youtu.be/CXgWh64LkGw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/62100371
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-coltrane-can-teach-you-about-the-blues/

Blues in Bb backing track
https://youtu.be/-ae_tBkCqeQ

Blues in Eb – backing track
https://youtu.be/eSI4AS_fBm8

Blues to Elvin
https://youtu.be/OYitm3eJqi8

Blues to Bechet
https://youtu.be/JN3CWowU95A

Blues to you
https://youtu.be/X0ZnxpPeeNk

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Advanced, Bebop, Beginner, Blues, Chords, II-V-I, Intermediate, Scales, Standards, Tier 5

How Licks Can Level Up You Solos

16 September, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Learning licks from master players and adapting these into your playing is a major jazz skill you need to develop.
Get around the major issues like add licks to your practice and into the tunes you play.
Transpose and alter licks into music fitting your music.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Lick based scale exercises
-Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins and Hank Mobley inspired licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial

00:00 How You Can Play Licks To Learn Jazz
00:23 Dexter Gordon on F major
01:06 Add Licks To Your Tunes
01:59 Hank Mobley On Dominant Chords
03:11 Sonny Rollins II-V-I lick
04:30 Pull Out Ideas From The Licks You Learn
05:04 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72008222

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:

What You Will Learn From Transcribing
https://youtu.be/F8mKCARhzIY
https://www.patreon.com/posts/61762240
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-you-will-learn-from-transcribing/

The Three Solos That Will Teach You Jazz Saxophone
https://youtu.be/6gxNfN9b4vg
https://www.patreon.com/posts/59156910
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-three-solos-that-will-teach-you-jazz-saxophone/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Advanced, Alterations, Beginner, Chord note solos, Chords, II-V-I, Intermediate, Music theory, Scales, Technique, Tier 5

The Secret About Jazz And Avoid Notes

2 September, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

There are no avoid notes. The focus should be on the timing where you put the notes.
In jazz music the avoid notes are often mentioned. The notes you are not supposed to play.
Avoid notes are a myth and do not exist.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-lick like chords and scales exercises training jazz lines
-Superimposed minor and dominant over the bar line II-V-I licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 The Secret About Jazz And Avoid Notes
00:11 Do Not Play Avoid Notes
00:41 Create Great Tension In Jazz With Avoid Notes
01:28 You Need To Hear The Chords
02:32 Are They Real?
03:17 Minor On Dominants
05:22 Michael Brecker Avoid Notes
06:17 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71360792

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
Basic theory and how to use it when you play – the 6th degree minor
https://youtu.be/DOm7UHvvCl0
https://www.patreon.com/posts/43853549
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/basic-theory-and-how-to-use-it-when-you-play-the-6th-degree-minor

How To Master Jazz Chords And Why It Is Important
https://youtu.be/fi5daiX69NM
https://www.patreon.com/posts/64880482
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/arpeggios-for-jazz-solos-5-levels-everyone-should-know/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

16th notes, Advanced, Beginner, Chords, II-V-I, Intermediate, Learning methods/inspiration, Scales, Technique, Tier 5, Timing, Triads

The Saxophone Skills That Pay Off Forever

25 August, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Music theory added to your playing, together with your ear training is the fastest way to get better at improvising jazz.
Adding understanding and systematics to your playing can give you the overview you are looking for.
This is how the major scale and many jazz chord functions belong together.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-II-V-I licks constructed by using basic music theory – chord tones and scales.
-Chord exercises in the major scale
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 Basic Music Theory Will Make You Better Instantly
00:25 Building chords
01:06 What Key Is This In?
01:25 Chord Functions
04:10 Apply Scales To The Chords
05:25 Secondary Dominant
06:12 Construct Jazz Lines
07:04 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/68814395

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Beginner, Chord note solos, Chords, II-V-I, Intermediate, Music theory, Scales, Standards, Tier 5

Basic Music Theory Will Make You Better Instantly

19 August, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Bebop, Beginner, Blues, Chord note solos, Chords, Intermediate, Pentatonic scales, Scales, Tier 5

Master Jazz Blues with 3 Powerful Strategies

12 August, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Playing the pentatonic scales, Bebop scales and basic arpeggios are essential skills you need to master when playing jazz Blues .
Learn the simple trademarks behind every playing style and get the sound.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
140+ pages full exercises and licks
-Pentatonic scale exercises, bebop scale exercises and basic dominant arpeggio exercises
-written out blues etudes using the pentatonic scale, bebop scale and the basic dominant arpeggio
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and
Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 Learn This – Listening, Technique, Sound, Timing
00:32 Listen and get inspired
01:16 Keep your fingers on your instrument
02:49 Technique must enable your music
04:30 Work on your timing
05:49 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/70375715

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
Pentatonic Scales Will Teach You Jazz Improvisation https://youtu.be/-A92QzlJwGg
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66075659
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/pentatonic-scales-will-teach-you-jazz-improvisation/

What The Bebop Scale Can Do For Your Playing https://youtu.be/U5h_4um0jmM
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/turn-these-3-levels-of-ii-v-i-licks-into-solos/
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/turn-these-3-levels-of-ii-v-i-licks-into-solos/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Advanced, Beginner, II-V-I, Intermediate, Learning methods/inspiration, Scales, SOUND/INTONATION/EMBOUCHURE, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

The 4 Rules of Getting Better At Jazz

15 July, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

When I began playing music and when I chose to continue, there are certain steps I would have liked to have practiced differently.
Putting attention on 4 of the very big aspects of saxophone playing and general music making.
Digging into technique, sound, listening and timing

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-II-V-I licks made from exercises
-Exercises made from II-V-I licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
What You Will Learn From Transcribing
https://youtu.be/F8mKCARhzIY
https://www.patreon.com/posts/61762240
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-you-will-learn-from-transcribing/

5 Tips To Speed Up Your Playing
https://youtu.be/MNolMUnjoKo
https://www.patreon.com/posts/56545571
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/5-tips-to-speed-up-your-playing/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Beginner, Chord note solos, Chords, Diatonic approach, II-V-I, Intermediate, Minor, Scales, Technique, Tier 5

The Scale Exercise You Need To Know

8 July, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

This scale exercise gets your scales and chords together.
Practicing this way enables you to immediately add your scales exercises to your music in a highly functional and musical way.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-7th + 9th chord scale exercises added rhythmic and chromatic variations
-Major and Minor II-V-I licks using arpeggios
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 The Scale Exercise You Need To Know
00:42 Arpeggios – The Backbone of improvising
01:30 Advance on rhythm
02:00 Add the 9th
04:13 Chromatic approach notes
05:12Always combine technique with music
05:49 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/68814395

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
8 chord patterns – you need to know these
https://youtu.be/oWV2LtH7GEw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41196433
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/8-chord-patterns-you-need-to-know-these/

jazz chords – this is how to learn and remember
https://youtu.be/TMUDOBf5Bg0
https://www.patreon.com/posts/40697337
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/jazz-chords-this-is-how-to-learn-and-remember/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Saxophone-inspiration-motivation