Beginner guides
From the day you first hold the horn to the day you play your first song all the way through: just what you need, in plain words.
- 01Always wanted to play an instrument? It is fine to start nowEven if you cannot read music, are short on time or feel too late: how to start from the first note of a song you love, and how FingerNola helps.Read →
- 02How to read the fingering pictures: just press the black keysHow to read FingerNola fingering pictures: left and right hand, filled black keys, the six basic finger positions and the mirror button.Read →
- 03Your first sound: fitting the reed and holding the mouthpieceHow to make your first saxophone sound: wetting and fitting the reed, the ligature, embouchure, and fixing squeaks and airy tone.Read →
- 04Breathing: breathe low and play long notesBreathing for saxophone: belly breathing, how to practice long tones, and planning where to breathe in a song.Read →
- 05Using the octave key: the same fingering, one octave upHow to use the saxophone octave key: which notes need it, where to put your thumb, and what to do when high notes drop down.Read →
- 06Alto, tenor, soprano, baritone: same fingerings, so what is different?How the saxophone types differ: sound and size, which one to start on, and why written notes and sounding notes differ (E♭ and B♭ instruments).Read →
- 07How to start without reading musicStart the saxophone without sheet music: FingerNola's three practice steps (melody, metronome, backing), section loops, speed-up rounds and learning notes with the quiz.Read →
- 08A 15-minute daily routineA 15-minute daily saxophone routine for busy adults: long tones, the fingering quiz, section loops, playing a song through, and tips for keeping it up.Read →