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ACCESS TO ALL LESSONS
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KENNETH TSE
ENVISIONING SOUND AND EFFORTLESS CONTROL
Saxophone
English
18 lesson(s)
2 hours 8 minutes
Kenneth Tse is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s leading classical saxophonists, celebrated for his dazzling virtuosity, luminous tone, and profound artistry. He first captured global attention in 1996 after winning both the New York Artists International Award and The Alex Award from the National Alliance for Excellence. His Carnegie Hall debut that year prompted The New York Times to hail him as “a young virtuoso.” Since then, Tse has established a commanding international presence, performing as a soloist on five continents with major ensembles. A prolific recording artist, Tse has released twenty-three albums across a broad spectrum of repertoire, praised for their “supremely elegant tone” and “sheer virtuosity.” More than forty new works have been written for him by distinguished composers worldwide. His most recent commission, a saxophone concerto by the famed Lowell Liebermann, was premiered in 2025. As a passionate educator and clinician, Tse has shared his expertise at foremost conservatories. Awarded the title of the University of Iowa Distinguished Chair in 2024, he leads a program recognized for excellence and innovation. Equally devoted to advancing the global saxophone community, Tse founded the Hong Kong International Saxophone Symposium in 2009 and the Hong Kong International Saxophone Society, which is a vital saxophone hub in Asia. He is also the first saxophonist to hold concurrent presidencies of both the North American Saxophone Alliance and the International Saxophone Committee, underscoring his stature as performer, educator, and visionary leader.
Image for WELCOME TO KENNETH TSE'S CLASS

WELCOME TO KENNETH TSE'S CLASS

Kenneth offers his unique perspective on life, music, and technical aspects, inviting you on a captivating journey.
kenneth-tse.com kenneth-tse.com
Image for 01 LESSON: STAGES OF LEARNING

01 LESSON: STAGES OF LEARNING

Explores stages of musical learning, sharing personal journey and self-discovery through practice and experience
Image for 02 LESSON: MY JOURNEY

02 LESSON: MY JOURNEY

Kenneth's journey: From Hong Kong to studying with Eugene Rousseau, balancing music and web development
Image for 03 LESSON: COHESIVENESS IN TEACHING

03 LESSON: COHESIVENESS IN TEACHING

Diverse teaching approaches across cultures shape learning methods, emphasizing tradition, pedagogy, and emulation
Image for 04 LESSON: EXPLORATION: THE DEFINITION OF SOUND

04 LESSON: EXPLORATION: THE DEFINITION OF SOUND

Explore sound's aesthetics and acoustics , focusing on saxophone resonance and player responsibility for quality
Image for 05 LESSON: ACOUSTICS AND VOICING

05 LESSON: ACOUSTICS AND VOICING

Learn how oral cavity shape creates resonance and projection , as scientifically proven by Arthur Benade
Image for 06 LESSON: THE MECHANICS OF PLAYING

06 LESSON: THE MECHANICS OF PLAYING

Learn four internal control areas, focusing on tongue adjustment and air direction for superior resonance
Image for 07 LESSON: MASTERING THE ALTISSIMO

07 LESSON: MASTERING THE ALTISSIMO

Master altissimo notes by combining specific fingerings with precise air aiming and oral cavity sensations
Image for 08 LESSON: CONFIRMATION - THE FINAL STAGE

08 LESSON: CONFIRMATION - THE FINAL STAGE

Reach the final learning stage through critical self-listening, peer reviews, and observing student progress
Image for 09 LESSON: THE ART OF VIBRATO

09 LESSON: THE ART OF VIBRATO

Master vibrato by using tongue-bending techniques to control pitch, phrasing, and note transitions effectively
Image for 10 LESSON: CONQUERING THE LOW REGISTER

10 LESSON: CONQUERING THE LOW REGISTER

Control the difficult low register effortlessly by applying tongue-based dampening techniques for better sound
Image for 11 LESSON: EFFECTIVE BREATH SUPPORT

11 LESSON: EFFECTIVE BREATH SUPPORT

Breathing by using abdominal, intercostal, and throat muscles to support your saxophone playing
Image for 12 LESSON: CREATING NUANCE IN SOUND

12 LESSON: CREATING NUANCE IN SOUND

Translate abstract musical expressions into concrete physical actions to create nuanced, expressive saxophone sounds
Image for 13 LESSON: PEDAGOGY AND COMPETITIONS

13 LESSON: PEDAGOGY AND COMPETITIONS

Teachers should provide honest feedback while adapting to each student's unique personality and learning style
Image for 14 LESSON: IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF PERFORMANCE

14 LESSON: IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF PERFORMANCE

Engage audiences with high energy, solid rhythm, and a strong stage persona while performing
Image for 15 LESSON: THOUGHTS ON TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP

15 LESSON: THOUGHTS ON TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP

Effective teaching requires logical technical instruction and tailoring mentorship to each student's individual career goals
Image for 16 LESSON: AMERICAN MUSIC AND SUGGESTIONS

16 LESSON: AMERICAN MUSIC AND SUGGESTIONS

Explore American saxophone repertoire by mastering large intervals, full resonance, and specific contemporary techniques
ROCK ME!, Albright Sonata and Dahl Concerto
Image for CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

Rely on mastery of playing mechanics rather than equipment to adapt to any musical instrument
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