How to Play the Wedding March on the Alto Saxophone

Playing the alto saxophone during a special occasion like a wedding makes for a wonderful memory. Because the Wedding March is a widely recognized melody, it requires proper preparation before an occasion of this magnitude.

Things You'll Need

• Alto saxophone
• Wedding March sheet music

Instructions

To begin

1. Identify the proper concert key. The alto sax is in the key of Eb and necessitates transposing down a minor third. Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," from "A Midsummer Nights Dream," is one of the most recognizable songs in this nation and is in the concert key of C major.

2. Deliver a proper tone, as Mendelssohn did not write for alto saxophone originally; it was not yet invented when this music was written, so most parts are transcribed from those of other instruments more typical for the style of concertos and symphonies. Some of these instruments include the French horn, alto horn, and bassoon. Adopt a timbre that closely relates to one of these.

3. Decide what to play. There are two distinct parts to this melody: the procession, and the march. The procession is indicated with a series of triplets, which call attention to the wedding party. The melody is the central tune everyone is used to hearing. The procession may not be appropriate to play in all situations.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient with your progress at first. Don't play too loudly, and concentrate on the beauty of the melody.

• Find the sheet music for Mendelssohn's Wedding March and a free audio player online at 8notes.com.

References

• 8 Notes
• Free Scores