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Rating: 
Summary: not a useful reference; anglocentric
Review: The title of the book makes it sound like a general reference book on the saxophone. Instead, it's more like a collection of idiosyncratic essays with a distinctly nationalistic point of view. If it was going to be a useful reference work, one thing it would need is a good index, with entries broken down better. ("Reeds," for example., gives a list of 20 page numbers without subheadings.) Loads of space is given to obscure English saxophonists and composers. Many of the articles need fleshing out, e.g. the part about mouthpieces doesn't say anything about the numerical system used to describe them. It's also topheavy with advanced stuff,e.g. a chart of altissimo fingerings and discussions of microtones, but no ordinary fingering charts or trill fingerings. Classical players had better not depend on this book as an introduction to jazz, since it doesn't discuss any of the jazz issues about tonguing or triplet feel.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good academic tool for learning about the saxophone
Review: This book is truly good as a reference. It is written in a scholarly manner, and it is not oriented towards performance, but rather it covers issues such as the instrument's history, its evolution and the classical repertoire. It also has several very detailed chapters covering the relationship between the saxophone and jazz.It has certainly made me more saxophone-literate, but it has yet to improve my playing!
Rating: 
Summary: A great, very detailed book.
Review: This book tells you all you need to know about the saxophone; from it's creation and Adolphe Sax, to techniques, players, and music. The chapters are written by different people, including Gordon Lewin, Dave Roach, Kyle Horch, Don Ashton and Richard Ingham himself; all reputable people in the saxophone business.
Rating:
Summary: History Lesson?
Review: When I bought this book I thought it would be more of a general reference book. However, it is more essays on the history of the saxophone and the more technical aspects of playing. Recomended for teachers more than students.
Rating:
Summary: History Lesson?
Review: When I bought this book I thought it would be more of a general reference book. However, it is more essays on the history of the saxophone and the more technical aspects of playing. Recomended for teachers more than students.
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