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

[@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

[@not.bellah]

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

[@nelsonwilkins347]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@sidneiramalho]

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

[@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

[@80hd6]

This is so helpful even our teacher struggles a bit with low notes and now I sound better than him !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shaneneilstocker892]

Wow it must be hard. Still 8 cant wait to get me a sax!

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@amynfam8779]

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

[@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 🎷💫

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@justok3702]

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

[@mirandaventer6537]

Thank you!! Só glad I came across this!

[@Debaronii]

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

[@janetwhite4272]

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

[@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

[@pigman6954]

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

[@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!

[@wesleyyoung6224]

Super video, thanks Jay!

[@Caglarsax]

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

[@bettersax]

Glad to hear that!

[@darrylthehorntoadpiper]

Great explanation of breathing !👍😎

[@trayet7437]

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

[@AtulClassics]

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

[@toust8740]

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

[@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!

[@richardbergen7570]

Wonderful information well presented-thanks! My issue is altissimo. I can't get past f# and wonder if I need more practice or its a mouthpiece/reed (legere plastic) issue.

[@ellapeirce5103]

Your videos are so informative!! I’m hoping to play in jazz band this coming year so thank you for these videos!!

[@bettersax]

Thanks Ella, that's great to hear.

[@stephenpower1]

Thanks for another great video, Jay and greetings from a cold and windy Ireland (prefect practice weather). My tone isn't bad, but not consistent, and this technique should really help. I would really welcome a video on playing the palm keys properly, showing the exact position of the hand on the palm keys and how far you should move the fingers away from the keys, when playing them (if at all). I find that I'm rocking the hand which makes it slow to get from say a palm Eb or F (or even D) back to a C, B or A. I don't think there's a good tutorial on this technique online at all.

[@shaneneilstocker892]

Did you over come this challange??? ❤

[@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.

[@HealingWord_Psalm107-20]

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

[@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!

[@syntheticjuice9279]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@helengregory623]

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

[@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!

[@musicman1341]

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

[@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😂❤

[@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

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@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

[@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.

[@rk702]

Another great analogy and explanation!! But that scarf is killing me. lol...

[@bettersax]

😆😆😆

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I'm going to bet, practice spaces, being very closed off from the rest of the building, from.my experience, generally don't get heat much, either :) If there are amps, they get warm soon enough, tho. But, yeah, a scarf would be appropriate...

[@stevetakkinkwan8910]

Very helpful tutorial.

[@yvonnefox-miller5486]

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

[@kanakayounoob]

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

[@AngellCrane]

Newcomer to sax here (I am professional guitarist), been playing alto about 6 months. I find I've hit a wall with my air on low C#, C and B (not Bb weirdly enough). I know it's not the horn or mouthpiece as I just had a full overhaul done on my horn. Thoughts? Oh, and thanks for all the help, your videos have been a treasure trove of information in this long journey I have just embarked on!

[@bettersax]

Lots to check. Could still be a leak ask the shop to take a look. After an overhaul it is common to need a follow up regulation as things settle.

[@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

[@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!

[@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❤❤❤❤

[@yi-joonlim7235]

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

[@jimdetwiler5848]

Very good review , after not playing for quite some time , age 77

[@johnloz116]

This really helped but I found out a way I can get used to.

[@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.

[@gipstetz6720]

Thanks Jay. Very helpful video. Never heard of the fogging up the mirror technique. Will give it a whirl. Thanks again.

[@bettersax]

+Gipstetz let me know how it works for you. I can't remember where I got that concept from but it helps me...

[@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

[@savannahngl]

I have a problem, you can hear me breathing while playing, I need help

[@RavindraKumarSG]

very beautifully explained. Kudos

[@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

[@stevetakkinkwan8910]

practicing martial arts use the same breathing techniques.

[@tenorful]

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

[@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.

[@TheFluteboy1]

Nice Jay. My sentiments exactly.

[@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).

[@hamster-j9d]

So u r not supposed to yell “u piece o sh*t!” throughout the whole process then?!

[@rickyreza301]

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

[@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 👏

[@DanielMartinez-ne6cx]

Thanks this video was a lot of help I couldn't Play a low c on my tenor and I was getting frustrated but now I'm getting it. Thanks

[@bettersax]

Glad it helped!

[@bjjkidsbjjkidzbjjkidsbjjki5689]

Love your time and vids mate !!!🧡🙌

[@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 .

[@SoFkwHat]

One of the best teachers on KZbin. Thank you.

[@william3371]

Good video! :)

[@keyboard8173]

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

[@shaneneilstocker892]

How did it help you?

[@neilodonnell5537]

Thank you!

[@mileswhite4329]

Simple and elegant. Thank you.

[@ardesh007]

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

[@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.

[@noliiiivaldez7861]

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

[@ashr_82]

Thank you, this really helped!

[@hansmathiasthjomoe4817]

Another good video from Jay. Attaching words to what you have to do. Being a former 100m champion has been very valuable for the breathing capacity :)

[@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!! 👍

[@kristinclarke986]

great advice!! you are so good at explaining things!! Thank you!!

[@yolandemathews5850]

Informative video for all beginning sax players

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Great job Jay, helpful as always, due to your techniques I am in my school musical! I’m so excited!

[@bettersax]

+Pilotguy I appreciate your comment, but your success is 99.9% based on the work and practice YOU have done. Keep it up!

[@korpoa3888]

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

[@chocoholiclaura13]

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

[@SaxandRelax]

Found out my low C# key wasn’t working🙄😬😑😐😶

[@bettersax]

Sticky pad?

[@SaxandRelax]

Better Sax nope, it won’t open even if I do it with my fingers

[@ryanparmelee9580]

Helped immensely. Thanks!

[@jamesstanley8774]

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

[@binneyjohn9396]

Working on it, feels that it is better thanks.

[@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.