Diaphragmatic Breathing.Correct diaphragmatic breathing is essential for you to be able to play the saxophone well so lets consider what you should be doing to improve your saxophone breathing. When you inhale you use your diaphragm. This is a long muscle at the bottom of your lungs that goes up and down. When it goes down you inhale and when it goes up you exhale. If you place your hand just below your ribcage and then cough you will feel your stomach muscles tense. This is the diaphragm forcing air out of your lungs. Slowy inhale and then exhale letting it out slowly. You should have noticed that your upper stomach and back expanded to accomodate the expansion of your diaphragm.
Diaphragmatic Breathing ExercisesCorrect diaphragmatic breathing technique means that instead of your chest expanding and your shoulders raising to accomodate the extra volume or your lungs your back and lower ribcage will expand. You need to get into the habit of this type of inhaling/exhaling and it is always good to practice. Sit in a chair with your back straight. Inhale in slowly, feeling the expansion of your lower ribcage and back. Hold for about the same time it took to inhale and then release slowly for the same amount of time. You are aiming to have a controlled release of air from your lungs and through your lips. This should, with practice give you good volume and a nice constant tone. Try inhaling and then slowly exhaling whilst humming a note. At first you will probably find that the tone is a bit jerky and may tail off at the end. Your aim is to get the tone constant and with no tail off. If you want you can remove the mouthpiece from your sax and complete the inhale/exhale exercise with the mouthpiece in your mouth (only on the exhale though!) Once you think you've got the hang of it try it with the saxophone and see if your tone is stronger and more consistent. Keep on practicing the diaphragmatic beathing exercise and you will find, with time your diaphragmatic beathing technique will improve substansially.
Circular BeathingThere is a method of breathing that will allow you to continue playing whilst breathing in. This is the circular breathing technique. It will allow you to play a long passage of music without having to take a pause for breath. It is quite a difficult skill to master and not really recommended for beginners. However, if you feel the need to have a go then please follow the link below if you wish to learn this method.
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