Update: Universal Sax Method exercises index updated & re-formatted
I greatly thank the players and teachers who provided me with their input to make this exercise index for the Universal Method for Saxophone better.
The new exercise index is now available in PDF format with less colours, less contrast, and better organizational structure. You can find it here:
Universal Sax Method exercise index
How this project came about
If you are serious about saxophone, or take private lessons, there is a good chance the Universal Method for Saxophone by Paul DeVille has been suggested to you. It is one of the oldest, and most comprehensive, saxophone methods available. Period. Full stop.
However, what frustrates many people (me included) is the continual need for flipping almost aimlessly through the book looking for exactly the right exercise to use. Given that the book is over 300 pages long, this searching for the right exercise can be frustrating and time consuming.
Enter the Universal Method exercise index
A number of years ago I first thought about creating either a study method or at least an index for the Universal Method. But then as is usual, stuff happened, and the idea got backburnered.
A couple of weeks ago however, I decided I should finally spend a bit of time and get this work done.
I painstakingly went through all 320 pages of the book 4 or 5 times in total, as I indexed the various exercises and divided them by topics. The result is the Universal Sax Method exercise index.
Is it perfect? Probably not. Although I’ve had the input of teachers and players, I am still open to getting more feedback.
Input like:
- Are there mistakes? Probably. Where are they? What are they?
- Do you think I am missing a topic? Which one? Please give me examples and page #s so I know what I’m looking for.
- Is there a way to make it even easier to navigate, rather than alphabetical?
- Should the topics be started with a different letter? Which topics? Which letter should they start with?
- I was thinking of using a grading system of beginner, intermediate, & advanced, but I thought that would get a bit too unwieldy. What do you think?
- If you think a grading system would be helpful, how would levels best be indicated? Since many of the exercises are progressive in nature, a simple column marked Level will likely not suffice.
You can leave your suggestions for improvements on this page as comments, or you can email me directly.
Don’t have a hardcopy of the Universal Saxophone Method?
Most players I know who have been playing any length of time have a hardcopy version of the book. (I am actually on my 2nd copy already. 😉 ) However, if you don’t have a hardcopy, or prefer eBooks, the University of Toronto has a downloadable copy in its archives, since the original version of the book is in the public domain now.
Please note though, the downloadable version is missing pages 225 & 226.
Thank you for this – very useful.