Breath Control for Beginning Saxophone Players

Video Transcript

"The saxophone is a big instrument. The alto sax, there are bigger saxophones, the tenor sax is bigger, but you have got a lot of ground to cover when you are playing the saxophone as far as getting your wind though the horn. It is something that doesn't come to you right off the bat. You have to practice, just like, just like anything. It is kind of like lifting weights. When you start out, you are really going to feel it after a while playing the sax. It will make you tired. So breath control and strength of your lungs is real important. It is something that you can build up. Do not get frustrated. As you can see, the saxophone is covered with these holes. When you are playing a higher note (the higher the notes) the fewer holes that are covered. So if I'm playing, for example, a high B; the air only has to go down to the B key before it comes out of the saxophone. And that is where the sound is created. It is right where the bottom key that you are holding down is actually down. So as I go all the way down the saxophone, down to the bottom keys. This low B flat, which is the lowest note the saxophone, can play. You are going to really have to blow to get down there. It is important to fill the saxophone up. The breath control part comes in where you are not actually playing very loud, but you are playing strong. You have to push the air all the way down through the saxophone without blowing everybody's ears out in the room. So here is a little example of how much wind you have to put through to get down that low. It takes a lot of wind. Try not to blow everybody's ears out, obviously, when you get down that low. It just takes practice, do not get frustrated. It will make you tired. Pick it back up again and just keep at it. Your lungs will get strong over time."