JSAX First Step Book
JSAX First Step Book
jSAX
                   An Individual and Class Method
      WITH
 DOWNLOADABLE
BACKING TRACKS &
DEMONSTRATION
     VIDEOS
   58    05
                                              Age 4 - 10 years
       jSAX
WindStars is a band program for Elementary Schools using DOOD, TOOT, jSAX, Clarinéo and jFlute.
     The “First Steps” series provides the foundation for playing all Nuvo instruments. When you
    feel confident with the basics you can download the WindStars Music Books and explore the
 WindStars website for more tunes. You will find music in many styles such as jazz, pop, rock, reggae
 and of course traditional tunes. We will continue to add new tunes and please feel free to contact us
                                            with suggestions.
 One of the great things about Nuvo instruments is that they are all in the key of C (concert pitch)
 which means you can share music across instruments and if you want to add piano, guitar and even
                                   Orff music, it’s easy to do.
  Why not perform at your school or in the local community? If you’d like to share your WindStars or
 individual performance videos, please contact us through the Nuvo website and we will happily post
                                   them on our YouTube channel.
      To access the free WindStars music, go to www.nuvo-windstars.com and search the relevant
instrument. You can listen to demonstration tracks as well as download backing tracks and sheet music.
 There is also a free iPad app that has playback options as well as interactive fingering charts for Nuvo
                                              instruments.
                                    Contents
                                                                              Video   Page
                                                                          01 02 03
Introducing the jSAX                                                                   4
Holding the jSAX                                                                       7
                                                                               04
Playing your jSAX                                                                      8
	     Introducing the Staff or Stave                                                   9
Let’s Play Some Notes: B, A and G                                                      10
	      Introducing Note Lengths                                                        11
	      Introducing the Half Note Rest                                                  12
	      Introducing the Quarter Note Rest                                               12
	      Introducing the Repeat Sign                                                     13
	      Introducing Duets                                                               16
	      Introducing Eighth Notes                                                        17
	      Introducing Articulation                                                        17
Let’s Learn 2 More Notes: C and F                                                      19
	      Introducing Slurs                                                               20
Let’s Play a New Note: B                                                               21
	      Introducing the Dotted Half Note                                                22
                                                                               05
Let’s Learn D: Introducing the 2nd Octave                                              23
	      Introducing Key Signatures                                                      24
Three Three More Notes: E, Low D and Low C                                             25
	      Introducing the C Major Scale                                                   26
	      Introducing Time Signatures                                                     28
	      Introducing the Dotted Quarter Note                                             29
	      Introducing Ties                                                                31
	      Playing Staccato                                                                36
	      First and Second Endings                                                        42
Let’s Play a New Note: F#                                                              44
Let’s Play a New Note: High E                                                          46
	      Introducing the Coda Sign                                                       46
	      Introducing Accidental                                                          48
Let’s Play a New Note: High F                                                          49
	      Introducing the F Major Scale                                                   49
Let’s Learn 2 More Notes: A and F                                                      53
Congratulations! - First Steps Certificate                                             56
jSAX Fingering Chart                                                                   57
Teacher Tips
You don’t have to be a woodwind specialist to have great fun teaching Nuvo instruments, be sure to check
out our “Nuvo Top Tips for Teachers” download, where you can find games and activities to engage classes
of all sizes regardless of your own musical ability.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
When you have finished the book, and can play all the tunes perfectly, you can print out the “First Steps 	
Complete” certificate, fill in your name and put it on your wall!
 01
          VIDEO 01 - Introducing the jSAX
 01
          TRACK 01 - B Tune by Graham Lyons
If you are viewing the PDF while online, you can click the icons to access the track or video. You can also 	
download all the tracks and videos and manage them from your computer when not online.
                                                                                                                3
         jSAX
Your jSAX is easy to assemble; it has 4 main parts which simply push together.
                                                                              Mouthpiece Cap
                                                                         Mouthpiece
O-Rings
  Silicone Bell
                                                     Left Hand Keys
                                                                            Left Hand
                                                                           Thumb Hole
                                                                                                          4
        jSAX
Training Wheels
                                                                                          Key Plug 1
02                                                                           Key Plug 2
         VIDEO 02 - jSAX training wheels how to fit them
                                                                Key Plug 3
Your jSAX comes fitted with “Training wheels”. These are
small plugs that cover over the 3 holes in the right hand
keys, making it easier to play the notes of the C major
scale. As you progress and want to play notes outside of
this scale, you can remove the plugs and use your fingers
to cover the holes. There is a short video showing you how
to remove and fit your training wheels.
                                                                                                       5
        jSAX
The reed on your jSAX is very important, this is the part that vibrates and makes the sound. Your
jSAX comes with 2 synthetic reeds numbered 1½ and 2. The reed marked 1½ is the softest and
should be the easiest to create an initial sound. The 2 reed is a little harder and offers more resistance
when played. We recommend starting with the number 1½, and trying the 2 as you progress through
the book. If you look after them, your reeds should last a long time. Biting or chewing your reeds will
damage them, and they won’t work properly. Check the tip of your reed from time to time to make
sure it is flat, and always replace the mouthpiece cap carefully when you have finished playing.
                                                                                           Pull Out
Removing the Reed                                                      Lift Ligature
When placing the mouthpiece on your jSAX, notice the rubber O-rings on the neck which seal the
mouthpiece with the body. Make sure they are in their slots before attaching the mouthpiece to the
body. The end of the mouthpiece should line up with the line on the neck.
                                                                                                          6
        jSAX
Good Posture
It is important to stand upright and bring your instrument up to your mouth. This will help you to
produce good notes. Remember not to bend forward or dip your head towards your instrument.
Bad Good
                                                                                                             7
       jSAX
Make sure your mouthpiece is positioned so the reed is at the bottom. Start by resting your top teeth
on the top or “beak” of the mouthpiece about 1cm from the tip (Image 1), and close your mouth
around the mouthpiece (Image 2). Your bottom lip will cover your lower teeth and make a cushion
for the reed to rest on. Now take a breath and without puffing your cheeks out, try to blow a note on
the jSAX. No need to think about your fingers yet, just think about blowing! You can experiment with
a little less and a little more mouthpiece in your mouth and listen to how it changes the sound. So
that you can see what your mouth and fingers are actually doing, it’s always a good idea to stand in
front of a mirror when you first try to get a sound.
Image 1 Image 2
                                                                                                    8
        jSAX
                  Time signatures tell us how many                  Bar lines divide the music staff
                  beats per measure.                                into measures
The first 3 notes we will learn on the jSAX are called B, A and G, this is what they look like on the
staff. Notice how the B and G are on the line, while the A is in the space between the lines.
We will learn to read more notes at the same time as we learn to play them on our instruments.
                                                                                                           9
       jSAX
Now have a go at playing the 3 notes, and try moving between them. Always check to make sure
you have the hole on the back covered up. Make sure you have your hands the right way around, left
at the top, right at the bottom, and be sure to cover over the holes when you play the notes.
* Teachers, check out our “Nuvo Top Tips for Teachers” for some activity ideas *
                                                                                                   10
        jSAX
Note Lengths
Music notes don’t just tell us what notes to play, but also how long to hold the note on for.
      NOTE     B
 01
                                               B Tune                                       Graham Lyons
Now try and play the tune on your instrument, follow the music as you play.
                                                                                                           11
     jSAX
       A
                     uses just the note A, remember to try
NOTE                 clapping the rhythm of the tune first.
02
            A Tune                             Graham Lyons
NOTE   G
03
            G Tune                             Graham Lyons
                                                              12
       jSAX                                                                                    1
If we want the music to sound more interesting we need to use more than one note in a tune. Try
playing these 4 tunes that use B, A and G. Notice the repeat sign at the end of each piece - this
means you repeat the tune again from the start.
 04
                                            Button                                    Graham Lyons
 05
                                  Au Clair de la Lune                                           Trad.
 06
                                          Suo-Gan                                        Trad. Welsh
 07
                                      Up and Down                                    Bruce Hunnisett
                                                                                                    13
     jSAX
More B, A, G Tunes
08
                     Baggy Pants 1   Graham Lyons
09
                     Baggy Pants 2   Graham Lyons
10
                     Baggy Pants 3   Graham Lyons
                                               14
        jSAX
When you play Time Traveller first listen to the backing track, then try to play with the music. In the
classroom you could split into Group A and Group B, taking a line each.
 11
                                       Time Traveller                                    Graham Lyons
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
                                                                                                      15
              jSAX
     Playing Duets
     Music is usually played by more than one instrument at a time. A duet is a piece written for two
     players. Sometimes the two players have similar sounding lines, other times they have very different
     lines, but they always sound great when played together.
         12
                                               Rock Duo                                       Paul Barker
Part 1
Part 2
                                                                                                       16
        jSAX                                                                                         2
                                                                       =
                    A Single eighth                  2 Eighth notes beamed together
                         note                               equal 1 quarter note
See if you can spot the eighth notes in Donkeys, clap the rhythm, listen to the track, then try to play it.
 13
                                             Donkeys                                       Graham Lyons
Try playing Hot Cross Buns, and think about tonguing all the notes.
 14
                                       Hot Cross Buns                                                 Trad.
                                                                                                            17
              jSAX
         15
                         Eighth Note Workout!   Bruce Hunnisett
         16
                             Disco Duet             Paul Barker
Moderato
Part 1
Part 2
                                                            18
     jSAX
D T D T
NOTE C NOTE F
17
                       C Freeze!                Bruce Hunnisett
18
                        Merrily                           Trad.
                                                            19
       jSAX                                                                                        3
Slurs
If there are notes in a tune which should not be tongued, we connect the notes with a slur; this means
those notes should be played in one breath, moving your fingers smoothly to change the notes.
Remember to keep your air moving from one note to the next, so no gaps can be heard between the
notes.
Try playing Merrily again, this time with some of the notes slurred. Try to play those passages in one
breath, with no gaps.
 19
                                             Merrily                                               Trad.
Now try playing Hot Cross Buns again, this time using different notes. We call this playing in a
different key.
 20
                                     Hot Cross Buns                                                Trad.
                                                                                                       20
        jSAX
D T
The next note we are learning is a B . It sounds slightly lower than a normal B. Try playing this note, it
should sound half way between A and B. Now play B, A and B and listen to the difference between
the notes.
 21
                                B Flat, B Tall, B Tuneful!                                 Bruce Hunnisett
 22
                                            Little Hans                                                Trad.
                                                                                                             21
        jSAX
A dot after a note adds half the value of the original note, so the dotted half note will be worth 3
beats.
 23
                                     When The Saints
                                                                                                       22
       jSAX
The next note we will learn is D, this is the first note in the next register. To play the D we need to
uncover the small thumb hole on the back of the jSAX. Do this by rolling your thumb forward to
uncover the hole with the back of your thumb, rather than moving your thumb to the side, or lifting it
off all together. This is a similar movement to the “octave key” which can be found on a full size sax.
On Off
                                                                                                    23
        jSAX                                                                                          4
NOTE D
Key Signatures
If you look at the start of Twinkle Twinkle, you will notice a flat sign on the B line at the start of every
line. This is called the key signature, and it means all the B notes in the tune should be played as B .
 24
                                        Twinkle Twinkle                                                 Trad.
 25
                                        Dis is “D” Tune!                                   Bruce Hunnisett
                                                                                                          24
       jSAX
NOTE E NOTE D
NOTE C
Now try playing these notes. The low notes can be hard at first. If you are struggling to get the
correct sound, it might be because your fingers are not covering the left hand holes correctly. Playing
in front of a mirror can help you see what your fingers are doing.
Let’s revisit some tunes from earlier in the book, but this time we are going to be using these new
notes.
 26
                                  Au Clair de la Lune                                            Trad.
                                                                                                      25
        jSAX
 27
                                            Suo-Gan                                         trad. Welsh
 28
                                        Up and Down                                    Bruce Hunnisett
Practice all the notes by playing the scale below, it goes from a low C all the way up to a high C. In
music we call this a major scale, these types of scale are the foundation for all kinds of music.
Try playing the scale both slurred and tongued, it’s a great way to warm up and get your fingers
moving.
                                                                                                     26
         jSAX
Now that you have learnt to play more notes, it’s possible to play more interesting tunes. Take your
time with each tune, and try to master each one before moving on. Remember it’s a good idea to
start slowly and gradually practice the tunes a little faster each time.
    29
                        London Bridge Is Falling Down                                           Trad.
Part 1
Part 2
Remember the repeat sign introduced on page 12 In this old favorite you need to repeat the first line
once then continue with lines 2 and 3.
    30
                             Old Macdonald Boogie                                               Trad.
                                                                                                   27
         jSAX                                                                                  5
 31
                                          Country Waltz                                  Paul Barker
 32
                                             Morning                                           Grieg
                                                                                                   28
        jSAX
The dotted quarter note is worth 1½ beats. It is often paired with an eighth note, to make 2 complete
beats as in Michael Row the Boat Ashore and Ode to Joy.
 33
                        Michael Row The Boat Ashore                                              Trad.
                                                                                                     29
       jSAX
Don’t forget to check the key signature before playing the next tune.
 34
                                        Ode To Joy                      Beethoven 1770-1827
                                                                                        30
         jSAX
 35
                                       This Old Man                                                  Trad.
This old man. he played one, he played knick knack on my drum. With a
knick knack pad-dy whack, give a dog a bone, this old man came roll - ing home!
Ties
A tie is a curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch. The two notes are added or ‘’tied’’
together and played as a single note.
                                                                                                       31
        jSAX
See if you can spot the ties in Flashlight before you try playing it.
 36
                                            Flashlight                  Paul Barker
Introduction
                                                                                32
              jSAX                                 6
         37
                     Jingle Bells   Trad. Arr. Paul Barker
Part 1
Part 2
                                                       33
     jSAX
38
            Chinese Whispers   Paul Barker
39
               Blues in C      Paul Barker
                                       34
         jSAX
 40
                                    Good King Wenceslas                                                            Trad.
Good king Wen-ces - las looked out, on the feast of Ste - phen.
When the snow lay round a - bout, deep and crisp and e - ven.
Bright - ly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cru - el.
Notice the 2/4 time signature of the next tune. This tells us there are 2 beats in each bar.
 41
                                    Yankee Doodle Dandy                                                            Trad.
Stuck a fea - ther in his hat and called it Mac - car - o - ni!
                                                                                                                     35
       jSAX                                                                                     7
In the tune Donkeys, you can see dots below some of the notes. These tell us that these notes
should be played “Staccato”
Staccato notes should be played short and detached, so each note is clearly separate from the note
that follows it.
Now try playing Donkeys again, this time we are going to play the quarter notes staccato. Start
and stop the notes clearly with your tongue so each note sounds shorter and is detached from the
following note.
 42
                                          Donkeys                                   Graham Lyons
                                                                                                    36
              jSAX
         43
                     The Chase   Paul Barker
Part 1
Part 2
                                         37
         jSAX
    44
                         Forever Disco   Paul Barker
Introduction
Part 1
Part 2
                                                 38
       jSAX
45
                                        Molly Malone                                                            Trad.
lone. She wheeled a wheel bar - row through streets broad and
                                                                                                                  39
        jSAX
46
                                        We Three Kings                                                Trad.
far. Field and foun - tain,moor and moun-tain foll-ow-ing yon - der star.
bright. West-ward lead - ing still pro-ceed-ing guide us to thy per - fect light.
47
                                             Study In C                                     Paul Barker
                                                                                                        40
     jSAX
48
            The Elephant Can Can   Offenbach 1819 - 1880
49
                 Space Trax                  Paul Barker
                                                     41
       jSAX                                                                                 8
 50
                                      Smooth Trax                                      Paul Barker
Introduction
                                                                                                42
     jSAX
51
                     Reggae Trax   Paul Barker
Introduction
                                           43
        jSAX
NOTE      F#
In the next tune – Reggae Land, you can see it has an F# in the key signature. If you still have the
training wheels on your jSAX you will need to take the first one off to be able to play F#.
To play the F# we keep the F key pressed down but move our finger to the edge of the key so the
hole in the key is open.
                                                                                                       44
          jSAX
     52
                          Reggae Land   Paul Barker
Introduction
Part 1
Part 2
                                                45
       jSAX
NOTE E
As we learn the top notes on the jSAX you may find that they still come out sounding low, even with
your left thumb in the correct position. This is because we also need to tighten our “embouchure”
a little, and blow a little bit harder. Keep the corners of your mouth tight in to the mouthpiece, and
your cheeks in. Don’t bite up on the mouthpiece to get the notes, as this will hurt your bottom lip!
Look out for the CODA sign in jSAX Rap. During the repeat, when you reach the CODA sign, jump
down to the bottom of the piece and continue from the second CODA sign.
                                                                                                   46
          jSAX
     53
                           jSAX Rap                                         Paul Barker
Introduction
Part 1
                                                                            The jSAX RAP!
Part 2
 1
                                                                        Make People Happy!
2
                                                      The coda sign
                                                        To coda on repeat
 1
                                                        (Make People Happy) The jSAX RAP!
 1
                                                                        Make People Happy!
 1
                                                  The jSAX RAP!
                                                                                         47
         jSAX                                                                                   9
In the tune Wonderland, there is no key signature, but if you look at bar 16 you can see an F#, we call
this an “accidental”. All the other F notes are normal or “natural” as we call them in music.
 54
                                        Wonderland                                         Paul Barker
Introduction
                                                                                                    48
       jSAX
NOTE F
Now you can play the high F, you know all the notes in the F major scale; have a go at playing the F
major scale below. If you’ve taken the training wheel off the F key, be extra careful to make sure you
are covering the hole completely. Check the key signature before you start.
                                                                                                    49
     jSAX
55
            RAP Trax         Paul Barker
Coming through!
Coming through!
                                       50
     jSAX
56
                    Rock Steady   Paul Barker
Introduction
                                          51
             jSAX
    57
                                         Mexican Wave   Paul Barker
Audience Clap!
Introduction
Part 1
Part 2
                                                                52
       jSAX
NOTE A NOTE E
For our final tune we need to learn two more new notes, A and E . We are going to use our left little
finger to play A . To play E you will need to remove any remaining training wheels.
If you have not yet played your jSAX without the training wheels you might want to go back and try
playing some easier tunes from earlier in the book without the training wheels on to help you get
used to covering the holes. Once again, try playing in front of a mirror so you can see your fingers.
                                                                                                    53
     jSAX
58
            Funky Monkey   Bruce Hunnisett
                                       54
       jSAX
Congratulations!
 Congratulations! You have completed all the music in the book. You now know all the main notes in
the keys of F major and C major. It is possible to play even more notes and the fingering chart at the
                           back of this book shows you how to do that.
Have a go at playing all the notes, from the lowest to the highest. You will need to take all 3 training
                              wheels off your jSAX to play all the notes.
  If you want to learn even more great tunes, you can move on to one of the Windstars books for
       jSAX, where you can find a whole range of pieces spanning all different genres of music.
Visit our website for more details about this, and other NUVO products.
www.nuvo-instrumental.com
                                                                                                      55
               CONGRATULATIONS!
                You have completed the jSAX First Steps Book
Presented to
By                                                  Date
jSAX
Fully Closed
Open
                                57
                   NUVO FIRST STEPS SERIES
                                                                                                  BY
           Bruce Hunnisett, Paul Barker, Graham Lyons, Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich
           The Nuvo First Steps Series have been prepared and edited by 4 widely experienced music educators to
            provide a basis for playing or teaching with Nuvo instruments. Introducing basic technique and enough
           notes to play simple fun tunes solo or in a group. This is the perfect method for developing the necessary
                skills to further explore the wealth of music available to download from the WindStars website.
                                      WITH                                                                   WITH
                                 DOWNLOADABLE                                                           DOWNLOADABLE
                                BACKING TRACKS &                                                       BACKING TRACKS &
                                DEMONSTRATION                                                          DEMONSTRATION
                                     VIDEOS                                                                 VIDEOS
                                                   Clarinéo
                                                   An Individual and Class Method
                                                                                                                              Flute
                                                                                                                          An Individual and Class Method
                                      WITH                                                                   WITH
                                 DOWNLOADABLE                                                           DOWNLOADABLE
                                BACKING TRACKS &                                                       BACKING TRACKS &
                                DEMONSTRATION                                                          DEMONSTRATION
                                     VIDEOS                                                                 VIDEOS