After learning to play the chromatic scale from bottom to top and back down suggested by Johnny, which is great for technique.
I’ve now discovered its also the basic foundation for improvising.
To be able to improvise you need to be able to start off moving in half steps from any point on the sax without thinking in terms of notes.
Then next you do it in whole steps (2 half steps), move up and down in whole steps.
Once you know this you can play any major scale starting at any note on the sax.
Just work in whole and half steps – whole step/whole step/half step/whole step/whole step/whole step/half step.
Of course it goes further, you then start moving around in larger steps.
While all of this is going on you have to visualize each note in relation to the half steps – develop the ear!
For anyone who wants to improvise its a whole different approach to playing music, and it all starts with the chromatic scale….