How to Play Low Notes on Saxophone (A Breathing Tutorial)

[@danvgud]

Summary: 1. Fill up your air tank completely each time you take a breath 2. Breathe in your mouth to do this quicker 3. Blow out as though you're fogging up a mirror (opens up the throat and gets the tongue out of the way) 4. Practice breathing out on your hand and compare (breathing out to blow candles vs. fogging up a mirror) 5. You want to maintain constant air pressure when playing the instrument 6. Best way to practice constant air pressure is through long tones 7. Start with low E then down to low Bb using the technique above

[@bettersax]

Thanks for posting that...

[@mcaprisun]

Thank u!!

[@rienbutter]

Great! Thanx buddy

[@chhris.4k472]

Also use fast air

[@certifiedgenius9001]

pin this please

[@tatjanaschror2889]

I've been blowing candles the whole time and now I'm so excited to try fogging. But it's Sunday which means I'm not allowed to be noisy today...can't wait for tomorrow!

[@FROZENPWR]

How does the fog mirror work

[@shetooalive]

@@NuttyFlapjackMonster what? No practice for 25 6ears?

[@nelsonwilkins347]

@@shetooalive no i believe they said they’re played for 25 years but haven’t practiced much recently

[@mahavishnumahavishnu-do1kv]

"Blow out as though you're fogging up a mirror" - best advice I've ever heard for playing the sax. Makes a huge difference. Thank you.

[@enriqueernesto738]

This is the best explanation of breaking technique I stumbled upon

[@CursedCandle]

As a beginner sax player who's eager to understand how things work, this video was astoundingly useful. Thank you so much.

[@docsavarese]

I’ve been playing clarinet for many rears and recently with encouragement from fellow members of our jazz band to get a sax. I chose an alto since being 80 yrs old, I wanted less weight. Was having trouble with low notes and your tutorial helped me to work on my breathing..learning the notes was an easy transition.

[@sidneiramalho]

omg! I can't believe that I was breathing wrong during all this time! Unbelievable. Thanks Jay.

[@marshallrushford4522]

have had a break for a week and just came back to my horn. I was struggling with the low notes- watched your video again. Great to get with the constant reminders of tone and breathing. Has helped a lot-thanks Jay.

[@keyboard8173]

This. Video. Has. Officially. Changed. My. Life.

[@shaneneilstocker892]

How did it help you?

[@MitchMichael]

yesssssss, finally hitting those low notes consistently 🤭🤩

[@debbieguy566]

This video did help me a great deal. I haven't played in 48 years and I was having a lot of difficulty hitting the low notes. Thank you.

[@MrJVUSA]

Jay I jam 63 years old and I decided to remove my only regret in life which is not playing an instrument. Well with your help I start it to learn Tenor Saxophone and fallow your classes. First of all congratulations to you. You are natural in teaching sax your smooth and detailed explanations is easy to understand. I am realizing that when you are playing and explaining (for example on this video) you are not showing the keys you are pressing explaining what they are and how to create them in detail. I keep trying but it will make it so much easier if you can explain. Thank you for great work you do for people like me.

[@stevehenry9826]

I have had alot of trouble with the low B. Way more trouble with the low B then the low Bb. I'll give your advise a try Jay. Thank you!

[@kareng2281]

Been playing 3 weeks, was having usual beginner's trouble dropping down to low notes, opened my throat - practised the difference between blowing a candle and fogging a mirror first to get the feeling - once I got that and applied it, wow what a difference! now have consistent sound across the whole range of notes and now hitting those low notes. Thanks for your invaluable tuition 👏

[@durandmartin1121]

I am a 73 y.o. male, just now taking up the Alto sax. Your videos have been very helpful. I am having a problem. After playing for 30 minutes, I can no longer get sound out of the sax! I get nothing to a squeak. I don’t think my mouth being tired is a problem, but could be. Am really enjoying your videos. Thanks.

[@bettersax]

This could be a mouthpiece and reed problem. Pay careful attention to how these are setup.

[@SoFkwHat]

One of the best teachers on KZbin. Thank you.

[@toust8740]

Thank you! I've always been taking quick breaths and dropping my jaw and thinking of an "awh" sound

[@Niariah]

This was so helpful, I’ve been so frustrated not being able to play low and now I can play all the way to low c. Definitely going to watch your other videos, thanks a lot!

[@justok3702]

clarinet player here struggling with the saxes low notes and this was very helpful thank you!

[@rhett_s]

I just switched from clarinet tosaxophone, and this and the embouchure video helped a lot! Thank you so much for making this!

[@bettersax]

Rhett, great to hear, thanks for the comment.

[@MetalBow]

i had the exact same problem xD

[@j.a.4185]

Same

[@OfficialDennis]

same!

[@ivanspiterilucas2689]

I have a problem when doubling between the Tenor and the Soprano. I use metal mouthpieces on both of them. Can I maybe use some exercises which you can instruct me on pls? Ivan Spiteri Lucas

[@syntheticjuice9279]

My son watched this video and now he can play the notes of hot cross buns. Really boosted his confidence! Thanks.

[@HealingWord_Psalm107-20]

Really helpful explanation of proper breathing and what we mean by “use your diphragm.”

[@EmondroRocco]

I came here completely demotivated, feeling absolutely desperate and untalented. It made me sick to hear my low notes were scratching my ears and somehow I realized that my capacity and technique of blowing was the problem. I will abondon trying to play the notes on the musical sheet for now (because I fail everytime I have to play a low note) and start practicing merely playing long tones. Your advices were so useful already, thank you very much 🎷💫

[@alansturgess1324]

Perhaps with more optimism than realistic expectation, at the age of 73 with life-long asthma and now with mild-to-moderate COPD I took up saxophone (using a Trevor James Alpha alto). Many folks assume that people with breathing issues such as asthma and, to some extent, COPD, mistakenly believe that sufferers have problems taking air in whereas, in reality it's the expelling of air that's the core problem. With a wind instrument, of course, it's the added problem of controlling that expulsion - which is where playing sax impacts with me. (Some therapy groups advocate learning harmonica as a way to develop more control over inhaling and exhaling). I've definitely left it too late to get much beyond playing a good scale (ie: with some tone rather than just noise).In those contexts it's easy to see why I found this upload of yours, Jay, very useful - so many thanks. PS: One of my main inspirations is the life and music of Paul Desmond who, as most sax players know, suffered from lung cancer after a lifetime of smoking and yet he continued to perform right up to the end of his life - amazing.

[@jfcajot8282]

never give up :))) i have healthy lungs but sound worse than you i would bet lets keep blowing :)

[@shaneneilstocker892]

You will be flying soon mister❤❤❤❤

[@generalkenobi6687]

Absolute gold. Astatine even, I should say. This was very helpful, even to me, who's been playing for 5 years now. Even though my technique was a bit worse than what you've proposed, my body had kind of adapted to it and my sound was still good, but with your technique it's even better now. It's like magic how my sound improved. Sincerest gratitudes.

[@johndeer4250]

thanks I was doing really good then I stopped for like a year and now back to square 1in the lower register I sound good in the high but the lower was killing me now I have to put the hrs on the practice of this technique. thanks for the video u the best!

[@tylerthebean15]

I have been playing the Bari sax for about 3 months now and I switched from a trumpet and it was a huge change from a brass instrument to woodwind this video helped me with both my trumpet and sax

[@laurencoles8719]

Thank you so much! I am a clarinet player and I have just started to pick up the sax - this is something I have been struggling with and your tips are incredibly helpful. I have been told to use my embouchure and it's hard to actually grasp the meaning, but you explained beautifully :)

[@bettersax]

Thanks Lauren. Glad the video helped you.

[@LoganB591]

Me too

[@docsavarese]

Very informative. I’ve been playing clarinet for many years and play in a jazz band. Encouraged by fellow members to get a sax. Chose a a

[@Debaronii]

YO i've been so mad over why i haven't been getting my breathing right and this flat our cured it!

[@eliebordron5599]

well explained, I played sax as a kid for a few years and I got back to it now that I'm 22. I do struggle to get out low notes consistently, so I'll try this and see if I improve.

[@noliiiivaldez7861]

this instruction is what i needed to hear, thanks. :)

[@kanakayounoob]

this video really helps me, it's very difficult for me to play in low register

[@bboyr3dr0k87]

I switched from alto to tenor a week ago and this helped me a lot...never thought about that it's such different. Thank you again Greetings from germany

[@svleonard]

Thanks. Have played consistently in over 40 years and most of that was clarinet B- & alto, but did play some alto and soprano. Now have time to play and getting serious. Have a soprano alto and tenor. Your videos help immensely. Thanks.

[@skepticGFX]

I could barely play a low F on bari sax. I can now all the way down to low C (with sluring). Thanks a lot!

[@trayet7437]

I saw your video once,. And, as soon I started playing, it felt like magic 🪄 thank you so much!

[@ryanparmelee9580]

Helped immensely. Thanks!

[@kareemalalami166]

Thank you for this, I was having a hard time playing low B when playing my sax (Alto by the way) and the advice on breathing, especially the "like fogging up a mirror" really has helped. :)

[@raulnacianceno180]

Following these instructions the change occurs after practicing them, the teaching is magnificent. thank you very much Jay

[@НатальяСтоляревич]

Thank you very much. My teacher couldn’t explain me clearly how to play the low notes. It’s a real trouble for me.

[@amynfam8779]

Fogging up a mirror totally works!!! Thank you so much 👍👍👍👍

[@mileswhite4329]

Simple and elegant. Thank you.

[@Caglarsax]

You have a great technic on teaching.i learned a lot from you .thank you

[@bettersax]

Glad to hear that!

[@davidhartford6581]

Thanks for some more good advise. Low notes and breathing are my bugaboos! Thanks.

[@alansilveyra]

I will sure try this. 😊

[@RavindraKumarSG]

very beautifully explained. Kudos

[@janetwhite4272]

Just starting again after losing confidence (and now have had sax overhauled) this was helpful thanks

[@jamesstanley8774]

The best instruction on this subject, ever. STARTING on the low notes - wow!

[@josephtapdasan4309]

This is why you're the best sir!

[@stevetakkinkwan8910]

Very helpful tutorial.

[@perioax6506]

I play clarinet for 5 yrs almost and recently started playing bari and this helped a lot

[@bettersax]

good to hear.

[@johnbolin9795]

@@bettersax Jay , follow you , always watch and listen to your recomended subject's. My question? I played tenor sax most of my life, decided to purchase a Alto sax, but I can't get the rich dark sound that I am looking for ! Could this be the mouthpiece or am I expecting to much from the Alto sax compared to my tenor. ( 71 years young )

[@helengregory623]

I'm learning so much from you. Much better explanations than previous teacher I had

[@darrylthehorntoadpiper]

Great explanation of breathing !👍😎

[@coopmdlck]

I am a very new beginner alto saxophone player (I got my saxophone 1 week ago), and I love it so far. I was trying to play low notes like low D (that's about the lowest note I know so far, like I said, I'm very new) and it kept sounding like a normal (I guess) D. This helped so much, thank you!!! You are awesome, and I definitely subscribed! Thank you!!!

[@jamesdaviddupre99]

Agreed, good breathing helps everything. Circular breathing is harder to learn, possibly not necessary (since it wasn't mentioned here). Players often use that just to show off. A good mouthpiece, ligature, reed, & embouchure technique sure help me. I often prefer the mellow subtone timbre in the low range, much like Ben Webster did, rather than a loud sound, since I often play ballads, but I do appreciate some who do go loud there: Hawkins, Coltrane, Kirk, & others. After experimenting a lot, I found the sound that best suits my taste & style years ago. But I'm always willing to learn more technique. Thanks!

[@ashr_82]

Thank you, this really helped!

[@mirandaventer6537]

Thank you!! Só glad I came across this!

[@johnharland2336]

Extremely helpful! IMO this tip a corner stone and basis of a good foundation. Thanks...

[@shaneneilstocker892]

Wow wow wow, interesting comment. Ill keep this in mind when I buy and start playing a sax! Big ups

[@mingo6765]

thank you! I just got a saxophone for Christmas and Im trying to learn all that I can so I can start off with a good foundation.

[@yvonnefox-miller5486]

Yaaay, thank you so much. It was far easier to consistently achieve the low notes by applying your breathing technique.

[@DrJujusJazzClinic1]

Hi Jay! I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all your videos on this Chanel which has been so helpful to me since I'm unable with finance to join any courses but I try and practise my beautiful Tenor in a music studio near by me for about 5 to 6 hours a day 5 days a week and they give me 3 hours a day free of charge to help me out as I'm keen to learn, Yeah! A big shout out to The Sanctuary Studios (The Art Of The Sound) in north London, UK I have a tutor whom helps me out two to three times a year when I can afford him. I just want to say having a perfect instrument in your hands is a beautiful feeling and also inspirational. Jay! I should like to THANK YOU again with Big Gratitude for all your videos which helps me to build on my passion. People like you makes this world a better place to live in! Love and Peace Kind regards Sweet Juju

[@ChefTim100]

Thanks Jay. I have identified some areas I am having trouble with. One day I sound awesome ,and another day not so great. I do believe it is my breathing and how I release slow and more consistent for a better sound. I love the honking demo too. Great way to show the contrast. Low and High notes are my deal. Hard for me most the time but I am watching your videos and getting those finger charts for those high notes. Practice is the key. Thanks again for all your work for us. Love that SAX, I play 63 aristocratic Tenor, Cannonball Alto, 1920 c melody. All for church and love of Music..

[@korpoa3888]

I have a full range chromatic scale audition for getting into our high schools' wind ensemble and this is helping a lot, Thanks!

[@kristindowner9897]

THANK YOU!!! Breathing in a manner to open the throat, “fog the mirror” and get the tongue out of the way makes those lower notes accessible!! 👍

[@pigman6954]

thank you very much, all this beginner sax stuff is so handy as i am trying to get started

[@MrDlm44]

I laughed when you said "All breathing is done with the diaphragm." So many teachers have told me to "breath with your diaphragm" and were unable to explain what they meant.

[@chefasap2747]

I never pay attention to all of my science teachers because what they are talking about doesn't make sence and like what you said, they can't explain

[@jelanbulger2268]

I agree some teachers say that just because that's what they heard, but don't really understand what it means lol. I interpret it as a visualization thing. Most students imagine breathing from their lungs, which makes them think of expanding the chest/rib cage area, likely resulting in a shallow "chest breath." If you tell them breathe from your diaphragm (and explain what it is and where), then they're more like to visualize a deeper breath, since the diaphragm lies below the lungs. But again, blindly telling the kids "breathe from your diaphragm" without explaining further is not good lol

[@yese1697]

its so you can fill the sax with air

[@yese1697]

@@jelanbulger2268 it helps you push more air but not use as much air from your lungs, its basically pushing more air but not running out of air as fast. to do it you have to compress your diaphragm while you breath out

[@yese1697]

@@chefasap2747 it helps you push more air but not use as much air from your lungs, its basically pushing more air but not running out of air as fast. to do it you have to compress your diaphragm while you breath out

[@nono1064]

I tried this with tuner, my original form and trying the new one, and it works so much better

[@michelestrozzi4300]

"Blow like you are fogging up a mirror!" Thank you Jay, this tip helped me a lot! :-) For months I was on the "blowing out candles on a birthday cake trip" and it could not work like this: As soon as I wanted to hold the low tones a little longer they started to vibrate in a way nobody wants.

[@shaneneilstocker892]

❤Thanks for making me laugh❤ Fogg that shit up son😂❤

[@wompwomp_06]

This video has helped me a lot. When I first started to play sax (tenor) a few weeks ago, I kept thinking that there was something wrong with the instrument (I'm used to playing b flat clarinet).

[@yi-joonlim7235]

Thank you so much I needed help with getting low notes put on my Bari sax and this helped a lot

[@wesleyyoung6224]

Super video, thanks Jay!

[@rickyreza301]

After watching this, I've been smashing solos on my bari. Thanks!

[@albertwoods7714]

I have been enjoying your lessons. I have had my alto sax for a little a year now. I consider myself to still be in the very beginner stage. Lately I have been busy with my practicing. Thanks for building up my motivation Jay.

[@shuggk]

Thanks for the great video! I find it helpful to sometimes blow that warm air through the sax while fingering the notes for whatever I'm playing - eg an arpeggio - without actually sounding the notes. It helps to maintain that concept of warm air, and you can hear it straight away if you're blowing thinner/cooler air or your throat is tight. I then play the same passage with the notes sounding. It usually sounds better than before!

[@st4rs4addi]

this helped so much!

[@crazynoodles1234]

Thank you so much for these videos! I’m sooo glad I’m not alone in having trouble playing the low notes on my sax.

[@petesmith8925]

Jay this is the best video/ explanation i have seen and heard regarding breath control for sax players, put in simple laymens terms especially the "fog up a mirror" part love your videos.

[@bettersax]

great to hear, thanks!

[@MelJones38]

well explained especially the breathing out onto a mirror , I play trombone too so need plenty of diaphragm support, but you've explained how to 'breathe out correctly ' not just blow!! Thanks Jay. Melvyn

[@banmano1664]

This works and I tried this before. Surprisingly already watched this video before and already subscribed. Year late my band teacher puts this up!

[@paulscott337]

Brilliant video. Thanks to you alone, Jay ,I can finally hit the low Bflat with ease . I'd more or less given up before. Great breathing advice. To start with it made me feel dizzy and light headed from taking in too much air, but eventually you adjust. Msny thanks .

[@latinkeys1]

Thanks!

[@bettersax]

Thank you!

[@donniem.walker5158]

This Jay, is exactly what I needed to remember on obtaining the lower register! I thought I was the only one? Tomorrow, I will reach this goal because I want to move forward! Thank you for the video, it was very helpful to me. Thank you, Donnie

[@yolandemathews5850]

Informative video for all beginning sax players

[@musicman1341]

Great advice, the fog mirror is a aha moment for me. Thx Jay!

[@kicksterama]

Thanks man! Just started playing sax and this video improved my sound immensely immediately.

[@tenorful]

Thanks Jay - you're a really good teacher. Very useful video.

[@katjoe1974]

I love your videos. Just got myself a tenor sax and excited to be learning. One note- when you say in the video that links to other videos are in the description please make sure to actually put those links in the description

[@Caracolsalteno]

As a good student of your lessons i thank you again. As I said before you are the best teacher.

[@bettersax]

+Francis VdW Thanks! I'm very happy to help.

[@aaleyah3082]

Thanks for this it’s helped a lot. I was only able to play Low F and Low E before, but now I can go down to Low C.

[@janelysguzman3002]

THANK YOU

[@AtulClassics]

Great notes and suggestions...as always... Thanks a lot

[@chocoholiclaura13]

This was really useful your explanation helped instantly to get my low notes

[@brianholt6015]

thanks this has helped my son all the time thank you for everything

[@bettersax]

Happy to help!

[@thomasgillies1437]

Thanks Jay. Am currently traveling in Colombia, looking for folks to play with and trying to stay a little regimented with practice without getting stressed. Travel with a Yamaha 23 so if it gets damaged I do not get too upset. Keep up the great work. Tommy

[@danielaluna500]

So useful!!!!

[@jf2181]

Hey Jay, thank you so much for making these videos. I'm picking the sax back up and I'm relearning and learning! so much

[@artgrusensky121]

great lesson, Jay. You have a gift for teaching

[@bettersax]

I appreciate that!

[@SH1974]

First: THANK YOU! Why? I've watched several of Your Videos now. It's a pleasure. You explain things the way I understand... Next week I'll make it true: make contact and meet a local saxophone teacher, talk about saxes (and maybe buy one, if he's got a good used one to sale) and have a trying lession. I can not read notes and I haven't played an instrument since I burnt my wooden flute as a child of 8 or so (*). But I love the Sax since "Lily was here" and everytime I hear it. I love lounge Jazz. Exciting times to come... * oh, I just remind: that isn't completely true: a few Years ago there was a duo of swiss "alp horn" players as the Xmas dinner in our company. Some employees have been called to try - and I was one of a few that could blew a clean tone (and switch on and back to the overtone, that really impressed the instrument owner) out of this huge instrument. P.s. I guess You don't know the Solo at the end of swiss band "Patent Ochsner" song "Ludmilla" ? I'd almost bought a Sax then (1994). Now I know: I'd should have do it!! I'd have 26 Years of practice now. But hey: many people say "You're never too old to learn sometning new" - I hope they are right. ;)

[@ardesh007]

Thank you so very much. The way you explained it made it simple.