Free Introductory Lesson
Saxophone Lessons in Colorado Springs, Taught by Jazz and Classical Players
Few instruments have as much personality as the saxophone. It’s the voice of jazz, a staple of school bands, the sound behind classic rock and R&B solos, and a beautiful classical instrument too. We offer private saxophone lessons at our studio on North Academy Blvd near Union, for jazz players, school band students, and beginners of any age. Learn alto, tenor, soprano, or bari sax from Benito Vena, a classical and jazz saxophonist, and Brandon Kunkel, a multi-woodwind player with a degree in Music Performance. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet your teacher and see how lessons work before you commit. Saxophonists from concert and jazz bands in Falcon D49, Harrison D2, and Cheyenne Mountain D12 use lessons to sharpen their solos and prepare for auditions.
Who Saxophone Lessons Are For
- Middle and high school band students who want to keep up, move up a chair, or prepare for jazz band and honor band auditions
- Students preparing for college music auditions
- Beginners picking up their first woodwind instrument
- Clarinet and flute players adding saxophone for jazz band or pit orchestra
- Adults starting fresh, or getting back to a horn they played in school
What You’ll Learn
Lessons are built around your goals and the music you love, whether that’s jazz, classical, funk, rock, pop, or R&B. Most students work on:
- Embouchure and tone. A good mouth position and steady air support give you a full, controlled sound instead of a thin or honking one.
- Breath control and posture, the foundation of a great sound
- Finger technique, scales, and articulation
- Reading music, including jazz charts and classical solo and etude books
- Reeds and mouthpieces. You’ll learn how to choose and care for reeds and how your setup affects your sound.
- Jazz skills. You’ll work on swing feel, learning standards, playing by ear, and improvising over chord changes.
- Audition preparation for honor band, jazz band, all-state, and college auditions
Weekly lessons keep you progressing steadily, and a teacher can catch embouchure and breathing habits early, before they become hard to unlearn.
Meet Your Saxophone Teachers
We’ll match you with the teacher who best fits your goals and schedule.
Benito Vena
Owner of the school, a classical and jazz saxophonist, pianist, and composer. A graduate of Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado, he has taught music in Colorado Springs for over 10 years and performs live across the state with a variety of ensembles. Read Benito’s bio
Brandon Kunkel
Brandon earned a degree in Music Performance from Pikes Peak State College, where he studied clarinet with William Malone and also learned saxophone and flute. He has performed in concert bands, marching ensembles, jazz bands, and theatre pit orchestras, and has served as an adjunct instructor and chamber ensemble director at PPSC. Read Brandon’s bio
Book Your Free First Lesson
Tell us a little about the student, and we’ll email you within 24 hours to find a time. Prefer a call or text? Just let us know.
After your free lesson, private lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson, with no long-term contract. Rather talk? Call 719-722-0248
“I’m an older adult student who returned to play saxophone after having not played it since high school. I’ve started playing with a group … I never had the need to transpose chart music and was having difficulty with it, but Benito explained how to do it in a clear and concise manner. His instruction on playing the saxophone is top notch.”
Alto, Tenor, Soprano, and Bari Sax
Most beginners start on alto saxophone. It’s a comfortable size and the most common sax in school bands. As you advance, you might move to tenor sax, the classic sound of jazz and rock solos, the sweet and bright soprano sax, or the deep, powerful baritone sax. We teach all four. The fingerings are the same on every saxophone, so switching between them is easier than you might think.
A Little Saxophone History
The saxophone was invented by Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax, who patented it in 1846. It’s made of brass, but it’s a woodwind because its sound comes from a reed, like a clarinet’s. It caught on first in military bands. Then, in the 20th century, it became the defining sound of jazz, thanks to players like Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane. Since then you’ve heard it on countless rock, soul, R&B, and pop records, and it also has a rich classical repertoire for solo saxophone and saxophone quartet.
Play With Other Musicians
The saxophone comes alive in a group. Our students can join one of our jazz ensembles to learn standards and practice improvising, play in our rock band program, and perform in student recitals. Classical players can also prepare solo and saxophone quartet repertoire. We also teach clarinet and flute, and many students take piano lessons to strengthen their jazz harmony and theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can my child start saxophone lessons?
Most students start around age 9 to 11, often when they join school band and can comfortably hold an alto sax. Adults are welcome at any age.
Should I start on alto or tenor sax?
Most beginners start on alto because it’s smaller and easier to hold. If you really love the tenor sound and are big enough to handle it comfortably, starting on tenor is fine too. Your teacher can help you decide.
Do I need my own saxophone?
Yes, you’ll need an instrument to practice at home. Many families rent one through their school or a local music store, and you’ll also need a supply of reeds. We’re happy to help you choose.
Is it hard to switch from clarinet to saxophone?
Many of the fingerings are similar, so clarinetists often pick up sax quickly. The embouchure and air are different, though, and a teacher can help you make the switch and play both comfortably.
Can you help me learn to improvise?
Yes. Improvisation is a big part of our jazz instruction. We start with scales, ear training, and simple blues forms, then build up to soloing over jazz standards.
How long are lessons, and what do they cost?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. Your first lesson is free, and lessons start at $149 per month for a weekly 30-minute lesson after that, with no long-term contract.
Schedule Your Free Saxophone Lesson
Meet Benito or Brandon, talk about your goals, and see if lessons are a good fit. Call us at 719-722-0248 or send us a message to book your free introductory saxophone lesson.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Music · 5426 North Academy Blvd, Ste 101 · Colorado Springs, CO 80918