Saxophone articulation project

In 2012, as part of my Honours year at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, I wrote a thesis entitled Utilising Classical Saxophone Articulation Techniques in Jazz Performance. The paper investigated a number of articulation techniques espoused by classical pedagogues, and assessed their potential use by the modern-day jazz saxophonist. The paper features an interview with world-renowned saxophonist George Garzone, including a chapter on his well known 'no-tongue' approach to articulation, a technique that at first may seem incongruous with the classical methods being discussed. Through the paper I hoped to shed further light on the oft-overlooked topic of saxophone articulation, and in the process, gain insights into the technique that would eventually assist me in my own performance. The final paper received high marks from examiners at both WAAPA and the University of Sydney, and combined with the performance component of my degree, earned me the final award of First Class Honours from Edith Cowan University.

In 2015,  I adapted and expanded the paper with co-author Dr Matthew Styles for the peer-reviewed journal Jazz Perspectives, and it was published in Vol. 8, Issue 3 as Converging Paths: Classical Articulation Study and the Jazz Saxophonist.

Since being made available online, the paper has proved to be popular amongst saxophonists and other woodwind performers, and I've been fortunate to receive a steady stream of enquiries and support for the project. Those wishing to download a copy of the original paper may do so here: http://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/73/

For up-to-date readership figures of the original paper (now with 3500+ downloads), visit this link.

For feedback and other enquiries, head over to the contact page, or reach me directly at jeremy@jeremytrezona.com

Thanks for your interest.