Gail B. Levinsky
AN ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF EARLY SAXOPHONE METHODS PUBLISHED BETWEEN 1846 - 1946
GAIL B. LEVINSKY
Doctor of Music
Northwestern University, 1997
ABSTRACT
GAIL B. LEVINSKY
Doctor of Music
Northwestern University, 1997
ABSTRACT
This paper examines saxophone methodology published in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by investigating the historical and pedagogical role of works published in Europe and the United States between 1846 and 1946. To further document the methods historical and educational significance, an annotated bibliography of more than 300 methods and studies published during the early history of the saxophone was compiled.
The saxophone methods included in this study reveal a wealth of information. Each method supplies instructional material on current performance practices of the period, provides biographic information on the individuals who wrote saxophone methods, and, when viewed as a single phenomenon, establish historic, stylistic, and technical trends for how this instrument was used in its first 100 years.
Since 1845, the French and Belgian musicians in particularly, have employed master artist/teachers in instructing the fundamental principles of saxophone performance, as well as providing etudes or studies for development in technical fluency, phrasing, and expression. Many of these "classic" methods remain part of the modern pedagogical literature. The American methods published in the early twentieth century were authored not only by well-known artist of the day, such as Vereecken, Henton, and Wiedoeft, but by individuals few would recognize by name. Many of these methods were independently published, no longer in print, and provided an educational resource for self-instruction without the benefit of a teacher.
Although a great deal of existing scholarship has been revealed about the history of the saxophone, it is the author''s contention that the lines of development in the saxophone can be directly traced through its methods. In the early methodology, as is presently true in modern methodology, there were newly devised and individual approaches to teaching the saxophone. A number of skilled performers, both in the classical and jazz idioms, each bring forth their personal interpretation and the essential skills in playing the saxophone. By using this study as a reference, saxophone teachers can glean information from several areas and provide a better understanding of teaching practices through the saxophone''s history.
AN ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF EARLY SAXOPHONE METHODS PUBLISHED BETWEEN 1846 - 1946 has been identified as “pioneering” and generated significant additional research since its publication. Listed below are scholarly documents that cite my dissertation.
Dissertations
- Morris, Benjamin. Saxophone Methods and Pedagogical Materials: A Literature Review, DMA dissertation, University of Miami, 2022.
- Lombard, Matthew. A Revolution in the Making: Rediscovering the Historical Sonic Production of the Early Saxophone. DMA dissertation, University of California – Los Angeles, 2019.
• Radtke, Heide. An Annotated Guide of Resource Methods and Repertoire for Developing Saxophone Quartets with a. Collection of Exercises for the Enhancement of Ensemble Listening and Communication Skills. DM Dissertation, Indiana University, 2018.
• Chen, Yi, An Introduction and analysis of Henry Lindeman’s Method for Saxophone. DMA dissertation, University of Iowa, 2017.
• Hoehn, Walter F, Mr. Saxophonist, “Benjamin Vereecken: Performer, Pedagogue, Composer. DMA dissertation, University of Memphis, 2014.
• Zinninger, Thomas. An Analysis of Concert Saxophone Vibrato Through the Examination of Recordings by Eight Prominent Soloists.” DMA dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2013.
• Veirs, Russell. Adolf Busch and the Saxophone: A Historical Perspective on his Quintet, op. 34. UCLA, 2013.
• Nolan, Julia, Fostering Artistry and Pedagogy: Conversations with Artist-Teachers Frederick Hemke, Eugene Rousseau, and Donald Sinta. Ph.D. dissertation, University of British Columbia, 2012.
• Williams, Jane R. State Classical Solo Contest Repertoire Lists: An exploratory and comprehensive list of recommended intermediate alto saxophone compositions. DMA dissertation, University of Iowa, 2011.
• Ku, Po-Yuan, Four Recitals and an Essay: Christian Lauba and His Saxophone Etudes: From an Historical Perspective, University of Alberta, 2009.
• Ruedeman, Timothy J. Lyric-Form Archetype and the Early Works for Saxophone Quartet, 1844-1928: An Analytical and Historical Context for Saxophone Quartet Performance. Ph.D dissertation, New York University, 2009.
• Greenwood, Lynn. Louis Mayeur, his life and works for saxophone based on opera themes. D.M.A. University of British Columbia, 2005.
• Noyes, James R, Edward A. Lefebre (1835-1911): Preeminent Saxophonist of the Nineteenth Century. NY, NY: The Manhattan School of Music, DMA, 2000.
• Lundegard, Anders Olof. Background and emergence of the Swedish saxophone concerto Lars-Erik Larsson, Op 14. DM dissertation, Northwestern University, 1995.
• Murphy, Joseph. Early saxophone instruction in American educational institutions, DM dissertation, Northwestern University, 1994.
Thesis:
• Carby, Lucy. An investigation into the development of the baritone saxophone and selected published solo works, from its invention to the 21st century. Master’s Thesis, The University Huddersfield, England, 2021.
• Carvalho, Pedro Paes de. Ladies and gentlemen, the saxophone: Introduction and development of the instrument in Imperial Brazil. Master Thesis (Mestrado em Música) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Música, Centro de Letras e Artes, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2015.
Academic Journals:
• Allen, Andrew J. A Brief History of Saxophone Vibrato. NACWPI Journal, Winter 2017-2018, Volume 65, Issue 2, 2017.
• Watson, Kevin E. A Comparative Analysis of Method Books for Class Jazz Instruction. Applications of Research in Music Education, Vol. 36, Issue 1, 2017.
• Allen, Andrew, “A Review: Pascal Terrien (ed), A History of the Saxophone Through the Methods Published in France: 1846-1942. The Saxophone Symposium, Vol. 38-39, 2016.
• Howe, Robert S, The Invention and Early Development of the Saxophone, 1840-1855. The Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society, October 2003. Vol. 29, pp. 97-180.
Dissertations
- Morris, Benjamin. Saxophone Methods and Pedagogical Materials: A Literature Review, DMA dissertation, University of Miami, 2022.
- Lombard, Matthew. A Revolution in the Making: Rediscovering the Historical Sonic Production of the Early Saxophone. DMA dissertation, University of California – Los Angeles, 2019.
• Radtke, Heide. An Annotated Guide of Resource Methods and Repertoire for Developing Saxophone Quartets with a. Collection of Exercises for the Enhancement of Ensemble Listening and Communication Skills. DM Dissertation, Indiana University, 2018.
• Chen, Yi, An Introduction and analysis of Henry Lindeman’s Method for Saxophone. DMA dissertation, University of Iowa, 2017.
• Hoehn, Walter F, Mr. Saxophonist, “Benjamin Vereecken: Performer, Pedagogue, Composer. DMA dissertation, University of Memphis, 2014.
• Zinninger, Thomas. An Analysis of Concert Saxophone Vibrato Through the Examination of Recordings by Eight Prominent Soloists.” DMA dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2013.
• Veirs, Russell. Adolf Busch and the Saxophone: A Historical Perspective on his Quintet, op. 34. UCLA, 2013.
• Nolan, Julia, Fostering Artistry and Pedagogy: Conversations with Artist-Teachers Frederick Hemke, Eugene Rousseau, and Donald Sinta. Ph.D. dissertation, University of British Columbia, 2012.
• Williams, Jane R. State Classical Solo Contest Repertoire Lists: An exploratory and comprehensive list of recommended intermediate alto saxophone compositions. DMA dissertation, University of Iowa, 2011.
• Ku, Po-Yuan, Four Recitals and an Essay: Christian Lauba and His Saxophone Etudes: From an Historical Perspective, University of Alberta, 2009.
• Ruedeman, Timothy J. Lyric-Form Archetype and the Early Works for Saxophone Quartet, 1844-1928: An Analytical and Historical Context for Saxophone Quartet Performance. Ph.D dissertation, New York University, 2009.
• Greenwood, Lynn. Louis Mayeur, his life and works for saxophone based on opera themes. D.M.A. University of British Columbia, 2005.
• Noyes, James R, Edward A. Lefebre (1835-1911): Preeminent Saxophonist of the Nineteenth Century. NY, NY: The Manhattan School of Music, DMA, 2000.
• Lundegard, Anders Olof. Background and emergence of the Swedish saxophone concerto Lars-Erik Larsson, Op 14. DM dissertation, Northwestern University, 1995.
• Murphy, Joseph. Early saxophone instruction in American educational institutions, DM dissertation, Northwestern University, 1994.
Thesis:
• Carby, Lucy. An investigation into the development of the baritone saxophone and selected published solo works, from its invention to the 21st century. Master’s Thesis, The University Huddersfield, England, 2021.
• Carvalho, Pedro Paes de. Ladies and gentlemen, the saxophone: Introduction and development of the instrument in Imperial Brazil. Master Thesis (Mestrado em Música) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Música, Centro de Letras e Artes, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2015.
Academic Journals:
• Allen, Andrew J. A Brief History of Saxophone Vibrato. NACWPI Journal, Winter 2017-2018, Volume 65, Issue 2, 2017.
• Watson, Kevin E. A Comparative Analysis of Method Books for Class Jazz Instruction. Applications of Research in Music Education, Vol. 36, Issue 1, 2017.
• Allen, Andrew, “A Review: Pascal Terrien (ed), A History of the Saxophone Through the Methods Published in France: 1846-1942. The Saxophone Symposium, Vol. 38-39, 2016.
• Howe, Robert S, The Invention and Early Development of the Saxophone, 1840-1855. The Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society, October 2003. Vol. 29, pp. 97-180.
