Play It Today!

jSax
FREE
DOWNLOAD
METHOD BOOK
BACKING TRACKS
& VIDEOS

www.nuvo-instrumental.com
 jSax

Introducing Nuvo WindStars!

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.

For more information, please visit www.nuvo-instrumental.com and www.nuvo-windstars.com

 jSax

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 E 53
Congratulations! - First Steps Certificate 56
jSax Fingering Chart 57

Copyright © 2016 Nuvo Instrumental Ltd. All rights Reserved

 jSax

jSax – First Steps Book

The jSax is fantastic fun to play and a great way to introduce younger players to the joy of playing the
saxophone and other single reed instruments. It’s lightweight, durable and easy to hold, making it the perfect
stepping stone from Nuvo Dood and Toot, or recorders. Much of the music in this book can also be played
on the Dood and Toot, so if you are in a mixed group with other Nuvo instruments it is easy to practice and
perform the music together. This “Play It Today” book will guide you through the basics of playing the
instrument and reading music notation. It doesn’t matter if you have never read music, or even picked up
an instrument before. Many of the tunes in this book can be played in conjunction with the Play It Today for
Dood and Toot book, so if you are in a group with other Nuvo instruments, it’s easy to make music together.
This book is written to be used either on your own, or as part of a larger group or class.

Nuvo Super-Stars & First Steps Certificate

Look out for the 9 stars as you progress through the book. You can color them in when you reach them to show
that you have learnt everything up to that point. You can also color the stars below to track your progress.

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!

Backing Tracks and Videos

Throughout the book you will find backing tracks and video icons as shown.

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

Introducing the jSax!

01
VIDEO 01 - Introducing the jSax

Your jSax is easy to assemble; it has 4 main parts which simply push together.

Mouthpiece Cap
Mouthpiece
Curved Neck
O-Rings
Reed
Right Hand Keys Ligature

Left Hand Keys

Left Hand
Silicone Bell
Thumb Hole

Right Hand Adjustable

Thumb Rest

4
 jSax

Straighten Your jSax

It is possible to straighten your jSax using the additional
“Straighten your jSax” kit. The kit has a different bell and
neck that when fitted to your jSax make it straight. It’s a fun
alternative to the curved jSax, and some players, particularly
taller children and adults find the straight sax allows them
a more relaxed and comfortable playing position for their
shoulders and wrists. The “Straighten Your jSax Kit” is
available from your local Nuvo retail store.

There is a video on our Nuvo YouTube Channel showing

different ways you can play your jSax including introducing
the “Straighten Your jSax Kit”.

Training Wheels
02 Key Plug 1
VIDEO 02 - jSax training wheels how to fit them Key Plug 2
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 Reeds and Mouthpiece

03
VIDEO 03 - Changing the reed on your 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.

Changing the Reeds:

If using Nuvo synthetic reeds, you will notice there is a rib on the back of the reed that fits into the
groove on the mouthpiece. If using a cane reed, make sure it is centered and pushed down as far as
the mouthpiece will allow. To remove a reed , press the lever and carefully slide the reed away from
the mouthpiece.
To insert a reed , press the lever and slide the reed in as far as it will go. You will notice that the tip of
the reed should now be level with the tip of the mouthpiece.

Press Down Press Down Release

Pull Out Insert Reed

Reed Level With

Mouthpiece Tip

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

Holding the jSax

Hold your jSax in front of you with your left thumb covering the hole on the back, and your right thumb
under the thumb hook. Place the first three fingers of your hand on the top three keys, and the four finger of
your right hand over the lower four keys as shown below.

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.

Correct Needs Improvement

7
 jSax

Playing Your jSax

04
VIDEO 04 - Playing your 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, and close your mouth around
the mouthpiece. 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.

Not Making a Sound?

If you find you can’t make a sound, you might be biting down on the reed too hard, try to loosen
your mouth a little around the mouthpiece. If you are making a lot of squeaking noises, you might
have too much of the mouthpiece in your mouth, try sliding the mouthpiece out a little and have
another go. Don’t worry if you can’t always do it first time!
8
 jSax

Introducing the Staff or Stave

Musical notation is written out using 5 lines called the staff, or stave. The notes are placed either in
the spaces between the lines, or on the lines depending on which notes they are.

Time signatures tell us how many Bar lines divide the music staff
beats per measure. into measures

Final bar line, found at

Treble Clef
the end of the piece.

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

Let’s Play Some Notes: B, A and G

The first notes we are going to learn on the jSax are B, A and G. Remember how to hold your
instrument – left hand 3 fingers at the top, right hand 4 fingers below and don’t forget those thumbs
at the back.

This is how to play the notes on your instruments;

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.

Whole note, Half note, Quarter note,

count 4 beats count 2 beats count 1 beat

Let’s Play Some Tunes

The first tune we are going to play only uses one note – B. First try to clap out the rhythm of the tune,
then have a listen to the demonstration track, try clapping along to the tune whilst looking at the music.

NOTE B
01
B Tune Graham Lyons
,
,

This means rest for the count of 2 beats

Now try and play the tune on your instrument, follow the music as you play.

11
 jSax

Now try the same with this tune which

A
uses just the note A, remember to try
NOTE clapping the rhythm of the tune first.

02
A Tune Graham Lyons

This means rest for the count of 1 beat

Finally try this on the note G

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

This means repeat

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

Introducing Eighth Notes

When we need notes that are shorter than quarter notes, we can use eighth notes. Each eight note
is worth half a quarter note.

=
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

Starting Notes with Your Tongue

On the jSax we should start some of the notes using our tongue. This is called articulation.
Play a B, and without stopping the air from your lungs, touch the tip of the reed with your tongue
to stop the sound. When you take it away the sound will carry on. Now play the note again and try
to touch the reed, as if you are saying “Tu, tu, tu,”. Try to make all the notes the same length. This is
called tonguing!

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

Let’s Learn 2 More Notes: C and F

D T D

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 Flat Sign

NOTE B A flat sign can be placed in front
of any note, it lowers the note by a
half-step.

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

Introducing the Dotted Half Note

A dot after a note adds half the value of the original note, so the dotted half note will be worth 3
beats.

Look out for the dotted half notes in this tune.

23
When The Saints Trad.

22
 jSax

Let’s Learn D: Introducing the 2nd Octave

05
VIDEO 05 - Playing the 2nd octave on the 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

Let’s Learn Three More Notes: E, Low D and Low C.

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.

The C Major Scale

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

Introducing Time Signatures

All of the music we have played so far has been in 4/4, meaning it has 4 quarter note beats in each
measure. This is called the time signature.
Country Waltz and Morning have a time signature of 3/4, meaning they only have 3 quarter note
beats in each measure. So take care, and count carefully.

31
Country Waltz Paul Barker

Coun - try waltz, a Coun - try waltz.

Let’s all join in with the coun - try waltz.

32
Morning Grieg

28
 jSax

Introducing the Dotted Quarter Note

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.

Mi - chael row the boat a - shore, Hal - le - lu -

ya. Mi - chael row the boat a - shore, Hal - le - lu - -

ya, Hal - le - lu - - - - ya.

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.

These two tied eighth notes would

be played as a single note lasting
one quarter 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.

When a poor man came in - sight, gath’-ring win - ter fu - 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.

Yan - kee doo - dle went to town, a rid - ing on a po - ny.

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.

In Dub - lin’s fair ci - ty, where grils are so

pret - ty, I first set my eyes on sweet Mol - loy Ma -

lone. She wheeled a wheel bar - row through streets broad and

nar-row, cry-ing ‘cock - les and mus-sels a - live a - live oh!’

39
 jSax

46
We Three Kings Trad.

We three kings of O - ri - ent are. Bear - ing gifts we tra-verse a -

far. Field and foun - tain,moor and moun-tain foll-ow-ing yon - der star.

O - star of won - der star of night. Star with roy - al beau - ty

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

First and Second Endings

In Smooth Trax and Reggae Trax you can see sections marked 1 and 2 towards the end. These are
called first and second endings. The first time you play the measures marked 1, and then when you
repeat the piece you skip the first ending and play the ending marked 2.

50
Smooth Trax Paul Barker

Introduction

Play this the first time When you repeat the

piece play this

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.

F Key pressed down Finger to the edge

44
 jSax

52
Reggae Land Paul Barker

Introduction

Part 1

Part 2

45
 jSax

New Note High E

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!

The coda sign

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

New Note High F

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.

The F major scale

49
 jSax

55
RAP Trax Paul Barker

Coming through!

What you wanna

do - it’s on you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Coming through!

What you wanna

do - it’s on you?

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

Recorder + Recorder Toot Dood jSax

Clarinéo jFlute Flute jHorn

55
 CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed the jSax First Steps Book
Presented to
By Date
 jSax

jSax Fingering Chart

Fully Closed

Open

57
jSax

Notes:

58
 Play It Today!
BY
Bruce Hunnisett, Paul Barker, Graham Lyons, Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich

The Nuvo Play It Today 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.

Play It Today! Play It Today!

Dood & Toot jSax

FREE FREE
DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD
METHOD BOOK METHOD BOOK
BACKING TRACKS BACKING TRACKS
& VIDEOS & VIDEOS

www.nuvo-instrumental.com www.nuvo-instrumental.com

Play It Today! Play It Today!

Clarinéo jFlute
FREE FREE
DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD
METHOD BOOK METHOD BOOK
BACKING TRACKS BACKING TRACKS
& VIDEOS & VIDEOS

www.nuvo-instrumental.com www.nuvo-instrumental.com

Supporting materials at: www.nuvo-windstars.com

© 2018 by Nuvo Instrumental LLC, 100 Cummings Center Suite 146Q Beverly, MA 01915.
International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
All music, photographs, graphics and text are protected by copyright law.
Do not copy or reproduce the contents of this book in any way.