Interview With Viral Saxophone Soloist Aidan Brown

When the Facebook video of this young saxophone player navigating Flight of the Bumblebee surfaced it quickly became apparent he was using a technique called Circular Breathing. We sat down with Aidan Brown and his middle school band director Manuel San Luis to discuss Aidan's special gifts, his quest to learn the advanced technique, and how Aidan is able to pull it off.
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[@collinpetry1161]

What this kid that is extremely impressive is not his skill. What is most impressive about this kid is his drive and motivation. He works harder than many high school students work on anything in general. Aidan has the gift of being very intrinsically motivated allowing him to progress at an above average rate. This kid clearly loves his instrument, but if he were to find another passion for something he can study, he will progress just as fast as he has here because of his drive. I don't mean to belittle his skill either. It is absolutely amazing for an eighth grader, far above what most of my peers and I are expected to be able to play as seniors (expectation does not equal skill, just a general area of where one is skill wise). To comment on what others have said, he definitely could develop a better tone, but what he has tone wise is passable for middle of the road high school students. His technique is good, I personally don't see much of a problem with how he plays. He looks at home with how he holds the instrument and I bet he will adjust if the need arises. This kid has a bright future.

[@andrewprawat8199]

Collin Petry not to mention he’s mastering circular breathing without any help from his instructors. I’ve been playing clarinet for 7 years (and I practice every day) and I still can’t circular breathe.

[@bobbydong7842]

Bro screw his drive I’m impressed af by his skill

[@aquacelot]

oh yeah!?? I CAN PLAY HOT CROSS BUNS

[@bethannrobbins9187]

OH YEAH I CAN PLAY JINGLE BELLS

[@jakulos9890]

OH YEAH I CAN PLAY OLD MCDONALD HAD A BAND.

[@sheeshmeister791]

I CAN PLAY MERRY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

[@lackaileel8532]

I cant play saxophone at all! :D

[@edxardo5409]

I CAN DO HELLO

[@rossedge6202]

I find that middle and high school band directors often disregard KZbin as a learning tool for their students. Aidan flat out says he saw someone circular breathing and then decided to look up how to do it, of which there are plenty of videos. This was totally out of his own curiosity and now check out how far he's come. Personally I couldn't circular breathe comfortably until my second year of college, so huge props to Aidan for his determination more than anything. Hopefully he doesn't overuse it as it is not always practical and does tend to hinder one's breath capacity in those impractical cases. He is definitely proof however that you do not have to have years of experience in order to pull off "advanced" techniques. Keep it up Aidan!

[@joshuahuff607]

Yea, I learned how to circular breathe in junior high from KZbin videos.

[@skylahenry8552]

World Saver In our band, we watch Thomas Sanders vines (on youtube)

[@stanfoo1175]

World Saver same.. I play tenor drums in our marching band, but in middle school, we had a drumline after school, and i was in concert band, but our director never taught us much to prepare.. During middle school, even being in their drumline, i had to completely self teach on youtube

[@392driva]

World Saver my teachers at high school and middle school often recommend that we just go on KZbin for stuff like circular breathing

[@CooperUllmann]

I learned in 8th grade from a KZbin video!

[@Hiro-vf7ww]

not to bash him, hes still a good player, but i think people are blowing his skill out of proportion. He's definitely talented, but I wouldn't go as far as calling him a prodigy

[@abeahmed2581]

Hiro no he's a prodigy, I can say that for sure

[@Hiro-vf7ww]

Me meow exactly my point. Its impressive but anyone can do it(I can circle breath pretty well)

[@danal9644]

Actually with his age and the amount of work he's putting into learning he gonna be really great when he's older. Assuming he's not as good off one song is retarded judging him off one song can go both ways. He's great don't discredit a kid you look like an ass

[@Strong_the_Panda]

Hiro he's a friend of mine and I've played with him and he is fugeo

[@Hiro-vf7ww]

Yaakovv im not doubting hes good. Just saying its not prodigy level. Prodigy is picking up an instrument for the first time and already being fluent on it

[@HitchedBug]

He could do well in dci............. oh wait

[@highscore4795]

HitchedBug41630 😂

[@ManjiD]

DEDDD. LOLL

[@davjpeg]

LMAO

[@isaacrosas583]

Lol

[@jacquah09]

I dont get it

[@cinemasquare20]

Anyone saying this kid is nothing special just because they are "a fellow muisican" is envious. Point blank. He is 14 and is already skilled in circular breathing, has great tone, intonation is on point, what else do you want? Watch some of his performances on pieces other than flight and I dare you to say he's nothing special. Keep up the good work aidan you're going places.

[@jaseaceq108]

He's good, but not worthy of the fame. At my school, the first chair flute out of over 60 made first chair as a freshman. She could do literally everything this guy could and more. And it's not like my school district just got lucky to have her, there's at least one person like that in all the sorrounding ones as well. All these people saying he's some sort of prodigy don't know what they're talking about, including you.

[@jaredkhan8743]

JaseAceQ I kinda have to agree with u. That person is obviously not me but Id have to think ur right 😂

[@nazalek3402]

At 14 I was playing Donna lee at 250bpm so no I'm not jealous just sayin flight of the bumble bee is not as hard as it sounds

[@matty_c]

You obviously don't know what intonation is, buddy. InTONation is literally TONe quality. You lost them one after the other, as if there's a difference. And yeah, he's amazing. But he's one of 7.5 billion. There's bound to be someone better than this middle school kid who seems to be amazing because he can circular breathe. I'm just saying. Now, I will never be as talented as him, I know, because I play French Horn for the fun of it, not because I want to be good. This kid may be better than a large number of people, but he's not "the best" by any means.

[@WitchKing-Of-Angmar]

Well it's just jealousy, because he is gonna get all the lady's...or men

[@CesarSanchez-qt4zd]

He is good but I've seen a guy play flight of the bumble bee on a trombone. Now THAT takes a LOT of skill

[@zyronltz7494]

Cesar Sanchez Why are you comparing two completely different things bro?

[@franklinwhite8225]

Play either one lmao, they both require different things in terms of embochure and air control.

[@igotnothingbettertodo8744]

Cesar Sanchez OHMYGOSH I need to see that video and yes it dose take alot of skills

[@geogeo6112]

Cesar Sanchez yep

[@geogeo6112]

Cesar Sanchez these ppl dumb trombone is so much harder for this song for obvious reasons I play euphonium

[@gordylan04]

My district didn't have 5th grade band.. it started in 6th grade.., that sort of explains it

[@joshuahuff607]

Tylenol The only way to get good is to practice, not being in a good high school band or taking lessons. Guy who played Euphonium in my uncles small, 10 person band just made the National Intercollegiate Band for the second time. I never took lessons until college and was an all-state player and performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance in high school. Your lesson teacher gives you direction in practicing, develops good habits, etc., but it means nothing if you don't practice. It's just a waste of his and your time.

[@joshuahuff607]

Tylenol I know plenty of fine high school players (or were when I knew them in high school) that we're better than kids I know in college who never took lessons or was in a good band in high school. Kid in my uncle's 15 piece band last year was an all state trombone player his year. He never took lessons either. Kid im in college with right now was a 1st chair top band all-state trombone player and never took lessons till college. Private tutors don't make you good, they give you direction and help you out on your path, but it is completely up to you on whether or not you'll be good.

[@nicholasl4470]

Joshua Huff Well, if you are not exposed to this stuff early in life, it's going to be a disadvantage for you. So, it does matter when you start but practice matters as well.

[@amandaesteves8482]

Eli Sax He was interviewed in 5th grade. He didn’t start playing the saxophone until 6th grade.

[@ethanpark6716]

Me too

[@sergiosax5224]

To anyone that says this kid could just be a one song wonder; I made Texas area competiton this year (top 8 of other regions, nothing but amazing players) and this kid made state (1st chair out of other amazing players) in 6A as a freshman or sophomore. You don't earn that by just learning flight of the bumblebee.

[@Bob-hv6dy]

sergio sax he didn’t get first chair at state.

[@cindyb.9998]

The negativity in the comments section is way more impressive than this boy’s fantastic abilities. I’m not sure I have ever seen so many people bashing a child on the internet before. Good job, young man. This Leander mom is looking forward to hearing more from you in the future! Hopefully as a soloist in an upcoming CPHS competition marching show!

[@Matthew-ll3fp]

Cindy B. He’s a loser and a one trick pony

[@dogestep64]

@@Matthew-ll3fp band kids really can't be happy for someone else 💀

[@leemcdonald5331]

Oh shoot this guy was at a band camp with me one year!

[@TheOmarenlinea]

lee mcdonald nice!

[@christianletellier9841]

No he didn't liar, you just want attention

[@greenmachine2637]

Same

[@calefan253]

Longhorn band camp?

[@rainier2k_4]

hi, i'm christian And how would you know that?

[@chloeash11]

Why is everyone hating? He's an 8th gradwe playing a very hard song WITH cirrcular breathing. I think its very impressive and amazing that an 8th grader can do this. ALSO HIS JAWLINE IS 👌👌

[@jayben7769]

Clover50 ..

[@AudreyBrown08]

He's my brother

[@dashbrown360]

He He's not that.good its easy to circular breath and the flight of the bumblebee is just the chromatic scale and a high speed

[@aaronberns8485]

My band was never taught circular breathing, and the fact that this kid did it, let alone play flight of the bumblebee while doing it is mind blowing.

[@maximoose935]

I know I'm supremely late to this, but I've been saving this since I saw the video in the first place. I think though he shouldn't be given a super high title, I believe he still is better than most people. I'm an eighth grader as well and I can play flight of the bumblebee with ease because it's a very similar pattern on the saxophone. Though, I haven't seen anyone other than my director be able to play pieces as difficult as this. I believe the only reason Aidan Brown had gotten so much credit in the first place is because of the video itself getting viral and the slim amount of young performers of the piece. However, I can understand why people would think of me saying this with a bias, for which I am going to say I have nothing against him. I actually felt the urge to be competitive against his early technique since I saw the video of him for the first time. For whomever who thinks against him, it all generally comes down to your personal opinion and whether or not you believe he is beyond musically talented or simply just a sudden trend. I may feel like he should deserve some type of applause, but I don't believe he is as much of a big deal as people had said at the time of the video. I for one haven't seen anyone of which I've had nearly the same in common about compared to other band players. Then again, you'll just have to trust in my word that I know what I'm talking about. Anyways, no harsh feelings and I still think Aidan's better than vast majority of eighth graders you'll see today in your average middle school. Thanks for (hopefully) reading. I hope all of you have a good day.

[@rolex2197]

Why write this lol

[@suesylvester6456]

so many people are in the comments are like “as a musician, he isn’t actually that good”. honestly though, he is. playing saxophone since 6th grade AND already being able to alternate fingerings that fast on an instrument with over 20 buttons doing flight of the bumble bees AND he has done circular breathing? great tone, pitch, this kid is amazing. you cannot convince otherwise.

[@samwoods9836]

I’ve only ever heard this kid playing one song. He can’t be that good

[@jtsax95]

Pure Hollywood did you hear the tone and control? For that age, that is world class.

[@cayliedmaj7]

Not really fair. He’s from Texas. 😂

[@joshuatolosa2157]

Cleb Pensoza hey. Leave TX alone.

[@peytondixon5781]

Cleb Pensoza lol

[@littlebill9229]

All the Cedar Park named schools (not the district schools), like CPMS, or CPHS, are powerful man, they are unbeatable in most about everything. The dance is incredible, the bulling is very minimal, and the teachers are all good, (except for Mr. Burton...). Cedar Park is a suburb, not noticed, because Austin takes all the glory, so Aiden is a freaking god here. When I say god, everyone, EVERYONE knows who he is. I’ve never met him personally but some of my buds where friends with him in elementary or middle school, and they say he’s a good, smart kid who gives them all the answers on tests or homework or something along those lines.

[@Faitherz_]

Little Bill i agree except for the bullying... last year cpms and cphs had the most suicides in the district just last year... i forgot exact amount but somewhere around ten i think. (also he’s really smart and crazy about band im in his region room and rival high school)

[@littlebill9229]

Faitherz_2021 Really? I’m not much into gossip.. I like to stay away from it. I only know about 2 deaths, both aren’t suicides

[@radicallum3177]

He’s very good! But why have I only seen him play flight of the bumblebee?

[@addisonwillis46]

RadiCallum Because that’s all he knows how to play 😂😉

[@geraldwilson3521]

@@addisonwillis46 no wtf, bc thats like no troll the hardest song to play and the most impressive, and he does it super fast. And let me tell you, I play saxophone too and let's just say, *those notes aren't easy*

[@moler512]

@@geraldwilson3521 ded

[@insanity0854]

Stop hating it takes talent to play that

[@jamesstrader4063]

When they asked him how he was able to learn circular breathing, his response was basically just “I’m built different”😂

[@willmorris8198]

See, this is what happens when students are motivated. When I joined band last year (as a freshman) I didn't know anything and my band director threw me on alto saxophone. After our first marching comp, the drum major gave us a speech and basically blamed the freshman... so from that day forward I wanted to prove him wrong and be the best saxophone player I could be. And now a year later I am 1st chair in my band. Motivation and hard work are what you really need to succeed. Talent helps, but being talented does not automatically make you the best.

[@RH-ls5od]

Lol I played sax in 6th grade and the first week of 7th and then I had to move and stopped playing. Now in 10th grade it's my first year subce, and I'm caught up when it comes to playing (i might be slightly better) and my music theory knowledge is better than pretty much everyone else's. Practice pays off. Band question though, how much music theory do you guys cover? In my 6th grade class we were subdividing and transposing (just whole/half steps). The kids in my class now don't even know what subdividing is when I brought it up.

[@Josh-rd5dw]

that boy looks like the guy from up when he was young

[@littlebill9229]

He’s not asian

[@joj9750]

Little Bill he’s talking about the kid? If you’re talking about Mr. Fredrickson, he was white...🤡🤡

[@dashcole131]

The only thing I've seen him do is the flight of the bumbees fast which is hard but can be done. If I could see other solos that are slower and more melodic then I would be impressed because that would demonstrate variety which is very important

[@robbysaxophone]

Dash Cole I'd like to hear him play the Dubois concerto

[@andrewd555]

This is exactly what I was thinking

[@joshuajimenez373]

Shut up like you can

[@carsoncyrus9786]

@@joshuajimenez373 🤣

[@ShaddsChannelWhenHeWas12]

I remember when that video popped up in my recommended section a while back, now this video’s in my recommended that’s talking about the dude in the video in my recommended a while back, and both of the videos were uploaded a year ago. 🤔🤔

[@nothing1075]

This kid just plays flight of the bumblebee because he’s practiced it so many times that he’s really good at it. I would really like to see him cite read.

[@rubenleavell]

Man I play saxophone, and man that circle breathing and finger control is fantastic especially for his age, AND BOOM TEXAS REPRESENT!

[@gabegutierrez21]

Daniel and Mr. Myagi

[@oliversmith7241]

Well, that’s nothing, I CAN PLAY OLD MACDONALD ON THE TRIANGLE!

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

His dedication to music is just amazing~~ Circular breathing is not an easy thing to do, and this piece is not easy to play either. I think overall, if Rimsky-Korsakov was still alive, he'd be very impressed to see what he is able to do ~

[@proro3757]

So he is good at playing one song? The one song is literally all I hear from him and it’s he only thing they talk about 😂

[@supyoist]

I mean they had him do that for the intermittent scenes bc that's the video that went viral. This is a followup interview on a viral video, not a fully in depth look at this kid's repertoire and musicality

[@calvinnotklein6368]

proro I’d love to see you play Flight of the Bumblebee circular breathing.

[@brandonm7952]

You Gotta Ride Jimin Before You Park Jimin Stop. That is a very flawed view. “i wAnNa sEe yOu dO it” Who cares of the person commenting can do it or not. The point of criticism is not “can i, the critic do it better/do it”

[@calvinnotklein6368]

Brandon M Look, if he was actually giving the kid constructive criticism, then I wouldn’t comment that. Of course he can improve.

[@ts5792]

Seems like a nice mature young man. He is going places for sure with that good attitude 👍

[@A-Warthog-hm2tl]

legend says he just obsessed with his new instrument and he plays 10 hours a day

[@AudreyBrown08]

That’s like actually kind of true, I’m his sister and he practiced non stop at home

[@Thotslayer-xn8zh]

Soooooooo the only song he knows is bumblebee

[@sandwichdeli3687]

Oh shoot, I actually go to this school, Cedar Park, I know Mr. San Louise aswell. I’m just casually watch this video and see his shirt and I’m like, SHOOT, Cedar Park has fame for football, dance, band, and volleyball, but I never knew that they would make a KZbin video with actual views, wow.

[@maryahf3213]

Sandwich Deli mr. San Luis. Not San louise.

[@KingoftheKeyboard]

Guys! Stop hating him because he played one song! The whole interview is about him playing that song.

[@bb.yrose0362]

I play the flute! Im planning to change to saxophone on May!

[@masonthomassax]

Man y'all need to quit hating! The kid is awesome!

[@mangowater9143]

Pro where's his teeth

[@imnotaweebushitcuntmooneas6350]

Isaac Pedroza12 are

[@rodadalmacio5777]

I only know square breathing.

[@charlesreed8420]

Dafuq is that?

[@romanortiz7617]

Okay now giant steps at 260 BPM :D

[@orlandoserpa4906]

I've watched him several times and now just noticed that u went to middle School with him...

[@hanj31]

He's harmonizing the intro run. I would play it slightly slower and play the intro on a soprano sax then switch to alto for the rest of the tune when the piano briefly takes over the run.

[@AtBaker1570]

Wait are they calling him a prodigy because he circular breathes? That means I’m a prodigy and 5 of my friends are too

[@ohagiiman8985]

Austin Baker hell yeah

[@obartel]

Austin Baker circular breathes are easy. Idk if it’s just me, but they’re easy for me

[@danielbaker1151]

Austin Baker nice last name

[@sarah.airsofts]

Olivia Has Good Manners And That’s What Matters how is it easy?! I'm in 7th and play flute and can't figure it out 😂

[@thed.a.missilent3750]

Sarah Burns yeah, its EXTREMELY DIFFICULT for flute

[@dancouldbeonfirebutheschoo2817]

Honestly this kid doesn't need to circular breath for one whole note

[@sc00bysnackx85]

and these are the moments i wish i hadn’t left my saxophone in the instrument storage room for the weekend

[@seairis616]

Yanagisawa should give this young man one of their finest saxophones.

[@bethannrobbins9187]

this kid is the entire band camp put together

[@Zachary-ro6eg]

Oh damn I met this kid

[@ausmonsta5859]

I have seen this guy so many timessssssssss? Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@deanhaynes3136]

I understand completely what he means when he said circlular breathing just clicked for him because that is exactly what happened for me. First i learned the compoents of circular breathing then one day i just tried it and it worked.

[@matty_c]

This recording is better than the original. The tempo is consistent throughout. Not that it matters because I'll never be as good as him.

[@funmike8699]

Only if I could play the saxophone like this 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I'll be the most happiest person on earth

[@StealthheartDraws]

I used to be able to circular breathe when I was little but I stopped doing it and now I can’t

[@maxstewart1374]

I’ve been trying to learn circular breathing on a double reed instrument and I’ve been at it for about a month now

[@sirstephington8869]

My middle school teacher told our class none of is would never circular breathing. In spite I learned it that year. I still can't play well while circular breathing but I'm pretty close. I play trombone, french horn and clarinet, though mostly trombone.

[@corpliner1506]

this guy seems pretty chill

[@user-lp1ur9ld1v]

His voice is sooooooo soothing......

[@cynthiaisabel6142]

Hes a part of a great band :( i bet you cedar parks highschool bands show next year is gonna have him play this as a solo

[@johnh8705]

Great teacher! They don't come like him anymore.

[@joecharqueno9338]

If you are in 7th-8th this year in 2019 and you are in band and you don’t know who the conductor was then that means you didn’t make wind ensemble for region band

[@solitaryvibes2332]

Our band teacher showed us that video 😂

[@seandmaccormack.8528]

Gave me inspiration i will do that too cool my brother make it look easy circular breathing you said you should be a teacher.

[@myfrii]

I CAN PLAY 50 NOTES A SECOND (Cmon who knows twosetviolin) (I'm a cellist)

[@maxproctor9831]

Good for you!

[@gordylan04]

Still super impressed

[@kyykyyhawkhawk9291]

if you keep playin one song over nd over of course youre gonna master it

[@mlnchli]

Hard work beats talent

[@creepofreek4853]

You are freakishly awesome.

[@brexilius5450]

Nobody : The Fly in my room at 1am:

[@connormarx8207]

I wish i was as talented as him

[@chadnga8]

Very impressive!

[@Htxnoahboat]

Look at this dude 😂👋🏼

[@2005sebastianrivera]

What saxophone brand is that?

[@khaipham87]

dude, i can't even hold my chopsticks right.

[@liana-gao]

**The bees have left the chat.**

[@erikhernandez5377]

I saw the original video and then thought I could maybe do that and in 1 day I can play 3 measures in 2/3 his speed

[@annabelpetty3200]

we were in the same band at school

[@anungunrama9344]

Is that the only song he can play?

[@Piano_Reimagined]

That’s pure talent

[@elijahbarbee9243]

This kid had Mr Mcphail! My old middle school band director! HAHAAA

[@angryzack1640]

But can he play flight of the bumblebee on tuba

[@nathandelgado8522]

Don’t hate he is very talented for an 8th grader to learn flight of the bumble bee that’s crazy talented that’s like a expert level song so for him to learn it that quick that’s crazy

[@Maya-vh3py]

Nathan Delgado lmao expert level 😂 give me a break- for woodwind players, this song is a breeze

[@nathandelgado8522]

Sorry I’m a brass and play sax on the side

[@generalh1042]

but can he read a key signature? can he play something that isn't all a chromatic scale?

[@mylesragas5150]

I dont think people realize that the slowest songs are the ones that take most talent. Playing really fast is good and cool but when you play a slow piece, you have to carefully and perfectly play every note for longer periods of time.

[@androidtwo]

they made midwest this year, just like my middle school

[@Vyx25]

I've seen him in another video the video that they showed in the video was the video

[@GRONKIN]

I clicked the vid and my player was at 2x speed and I was like chill chill

[@noayamaguchi9021]

First of all, on sax and clarinet circular breathing ez af. I’m a clarinet player. And flight of the bumblebee, if u can play the chromatic scale, you can play the flight of the bumblebee easily. You don’t have to be a prodigy to play one song. His notes aren’t very even when he play a the piece either.

[@shannonflores7601]

Dude that song on the trombone

[@emydiusmontesa2568]

Okay but all this guy can play is flight of the bumblebee. I don't think people earn their livings by playing flight of the bumblebee each single day. He's talented, but maybe he should shift his focus from flight of the bumblebee and circular breathing to something more useful like his tone.

[@Acliptify]

I’ve just done grade 5 and my show stopper is pink panther or tequila...

[@smochuz2722]

Self esteem level : 0000000

[@Probuilder69]

Oh yeah

[@cameo2277]

That one kid who actually plays other than their lesson

[@maggievada4797]

Mighty good kid!

[@quarans08]

0:40 captions “I’ll sax on saxophone”

[@juandalg4907]

Does he ever play something hard besides “the chromatic scale song”

[@davidblake6633]

This guy goes to my school

[@artsymusician8041]

I saw the vid on youtube before it was famous. his timing was slightly off in it, but he did okay

[@adamgriffin1109]

I don’t doubt he’s good, but can he okay something other than flight of the bumblebee? There are PLENTY of other (and harder mind you) pieces out there

[@joshhuffman4286]

very interesting but can you play Paganini no. 5