A Technique Book You Will Actually Want to Read: Wolkowski Book Review

Technique books come in all shapes and sizes; actually, that isn't true. Most saxophone resources are wordy, dry, and filled with enough information and exercises to make your eyes glaze over. Most textbooks read that way, a double edge sword because these books have two essential functions: share knowledge and improve saxophonists. Sara Anna Wolkowski's book Saxophone Technique sets a new standard for character and tone in technique books. A fun and quirky read that not only breaks down fundamentals for new players but provides a refreshing explanation for systems that even the most seasoned saxophonist takes for granted. This book is a unique read.

Sara is a Canadian saxophonist and educator. She is currently running a private studio of primarily advanced students in Ontario, receiving her Masters of Music at the University of Alberta. She began teaching at Alberta College-Conservatory of Music at Grant MacEwan University—staying in the saxophone scene there for nearly ten years. She is a seasoned instructor, and it comes across in her book.

Wolkowski paces the book as she would a master class. The 79-page resource is divided into digestible chapters that flow into increasingly complex concepts. The flow of knowledge is introduced with literary devices and a refreshing sense of humor. She covers subjects like embouchure posture and long tones, building up to improvised scale work and the importance of the precision of the tongue when articulating. Wolkowski even dedicates a chapter to the climate considerations being in Canada. As a New Yorker, I found this equally helpful.

Wolkowski's brief and direct approach, paired with a fun, relaxed writing style, makes for a quick read. The start of each chapter causes your brain to flicker as you try to anticipate the subject she is about to introduce. The book does not give you hours of playing examples or deep dives into the complexities of the saxophone. The content is streamlined. As a professional, I found it a great reminder of how to approach some of the most fundamental techniques. While reading, I continuously thought this would be an ideal read for a newly minted college saxophone player—someone who has the skills to play but may not yet have the vocabulary to explain their skills. I could also see a band director using this book as an excellent redirect for the skills needed to effectively prepare a more serious saxophone player. Most notably, I often thought this resource would be great for adult players looking to learn the saxophone on their own time. The concepts are clear and make for a technique book that you can use with a wide range of students.

This unique approach is something that was missing as a resource for years. Wolkowski explained, "When I was in high school, I read Larry Teal's The Art of Saxophone Playing, and David Liebman's Developing a Personal Saxophone Sound. I remember, at that time, of really wanting to understand what they were saying, but I just didn't…" This experience is common for teenagers trying to absorb these resources. I remember Teal's book felt like a daunting task my freshman year of college. Knowing it was something I should read. I could never get through more than a page or two at a time. Wolkowski also explained the difficulties of reaching college jazz saxophonists working in classical quartets and their struggle with approaching the classical side of the horn. 

The writing style may come off as niche, but the application for this technique book applies across multiple idioms. The book gives Wolkowski's unique insight in an easily digestible way. As a self-published resource, you can find her book on Amazon via Kindle, hardcover, and paperback for 14.99, 24.99, and 34.99. This techniques book is hard to pass up for the price and a great resource to lend out to students who may need a different perspective on how to approach the horn. I highly recommend adding this one to your shelf. 

 Note:

For the purpose of full disclosure, I was given Saxophone Technique without purchase. I do not have any affiliate links for this book. I enjoyed reading the book enough to review and recommend.