NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER Local musician Lyle Rebbeck stands with his new book Friday morning at the Cultural Centre. Rebbeck published the book to help new and experienced saxaphone players.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
Medicine Hat musician Lyle Rebbeck published a book recently with the hopes of helping people teach the saxophone.
Rebbeck has been teaching saxophone, flute and clarinet at the college for 34 years. He also organizes JazzFest every year in the city. He says “A Practical Guide for Teaching Saxophone to Beginners” is a result of his 34 years of teaching.
“I’ve been playing this instrument for 50 years,” he said. “I made the choice to teach students who are complete beginners – doing things like showing them how to put the horn in their mouth and to do all of the basics.
“After all of these years of doing that and having so many students go on to do Master’s degrees, it really reinforced how important that start is in the whole process.”
Before starting the book, Rebbeck combed through as much saxophone literature as he could, before realizing his idea was actually a need in the music world.
“Basically everything was beginner method books or books geared toward advanced players,” he said. “I really think there was a niche there for a book about teaching the instrument to beginners and giving them the right start.”
The book spans about 170 pages and it includes photos that Rebbeck took with his camera. He says he has a love for writing.
“I wrote this one summer because I wanted something to do,” he said. “I’ve done a novel in the past, but decided to focus on writing what I know this time around.
“When I was writing it, I wanted it to be for band directors and teachers – I also wanted it to be easy for anyone to pick up and read.”
Rebbeck studied at Northwestern University, which is known as one of the most prestigious music institutions in the world. Rebbeck studied under Frederick Hemke, who wrote the foreward to the book.
“That was such a huge honour for me,” said Rebbeck. “Fred passed away last year and I was hoping to give him the first copy of the book.
“Having his words printed in the book means so much to me.”
The book has been out since the end of December and has been adopted by a number of North American universities to incorporate into classes. Rebbeck also received an endorsement from Jean-Marie Londeix, a famous saxophone player from France.
“It seems to be really filling that niche,” Rebbeck said. “It’s quite humbling and amazing to see it doing so well.”
Rebbeck had planned an official launch at the public library for March 26 at 7 p.m., but that is up in the air due to COVID-19 regulations.
