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Want to Play Saxophone with Better Rhythm? Learn from Tom Scott.
If you’ve ever listened to Tom Scott and wondered how he makes rhythm sound so effortless, you’re not alone. I’ve been a fan of his for years—his playing with The L.A. Express, the Blues Brothers, and legends like Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan is just iconic. Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming Tom to Sax School for a masterclass, and he shared one of his top exercises to improve rhythmic feel on the saxophone.
Tom Scott’s Rhythmic Legacy
Tom Scott’s career is a masterclass in versatility and groove. Not only did he write the Starsky and Hutch theme and play on the Taxi Driver soundtrack, but he also laid down tracks with artists like George Harrison, Jaco Pastorius, and the Beach Boys. He even made a name for himself in jazz royalty by working with Impulse Records—home to giants like John Coltrane and Mingus.
And it all started with one magical moment:
“Bob Thiele walks on the floor and looks up at me and says, ‘Hey kid, you wanna make a record for Impulse?’”
What Makes Tom’s Rhythm So Unique?
When I transcribed his solo from So White and So Funky, I was blown away. The clarity, the in-tuneness, and especially the rhythmic complexity—it was all there. What struck me most was how instinctive his timing feels, even though the rhythms themselves are deeply complex.
That’s when I asked him the big question: where does this rhythmic control come from?
Tom’s answer took us into a surprising direction—his studies in Indian tabla rhythm.
“Understanding that in order to learn some of these complex patterns, you start slowly… It’s very, very precise.”
Try This Polyrhythm Exercise from Tom Scott
Tom shared a simple but challenging exercise to build rhythmic strength—a 3-over-4 polyrhythm. It might sound complex, but here’s how we break it down at Sax School:
- Subdivide your beats into sixteenth notes (1 e & a, 2 e & a, etc.).
- Practice clapping three beats across four subdivisions.
- Then reverse it—clap four beats over three sets of four.
Using a metronome with 16th note subdivisions (like the Tonal Energy metronome) is key. Start slow, focus on precision, and gradually overlay both rhythms using each hand independently. It’s tricky at first—but trust me, it works wonders.
Want more rhythm-building ideas? Check out our post on Want to get better at Rhythm?.
Why Rhythm Matters for Adult Beginners
If you’re diving into adult beginner saxophone lessons, rhythm can feel like the elephant in the room. Notes and tone are important—but if you can’t groove, it’s hard to sound convincing. Exercises like this one help you:
- Lock into time better
- Develop inner pulse
- Improve phrasing and soloing
- Play saxophone with confidence
We go deep into rhythm, tone, and more in our Sax School lessons. You’ll find hundreds of structured courses, tutor support, and a super supportive community to help you on your sax journey.
A Final Note from Tom
Tom’s story about landing his first record deal with Impulse Records as a 21-year-old is the stuff of dreams. But behind that success was years of listening, studying, and copying the greats.
“You don’t start playing like Coltrane. You first learn some scales… It’s a process… Just like learning a language.”
This session with Tom Scott reminded me that rhythm isn’t just about clapping on time—it’s about feeling the music deeply, and understanding how to shape it from the inside out.
Want More Lessons Like This?
This full masterclass with Tom, along with dozens of others featuring top players and educators, is available in our members area. If you want to take your playing up a notch, start with us today.
Tutor Bio:
Nigel McGill setup Sax School Online to share his knowledge from decades performing and leading bands all over the world. Over the past 11 years his videos, courses and live education events have reached millions of players worldwide.
