Breathing

[Amy]

Hi everyone! I have played the clarinet for five years now and four months ago took up the alto sax as well. I absolutely love it but when I play the it, I find that after playing for about fifteen to twenty minutes, I get out of breath. This does not happen when I play the clarinet until I have been playing for considerably longer.
I would like to know if it is because I am not in great physical shape or if I don't have a good technique. Are there any breathing exercises I can do to help increase my lung capacity or something?

[Lyle]

Amy

Being out of breath when beginning Sax from Clarinet seems to be a common problem. I played Clarinet for many years, and when I took up Tenor Sax-same problem. I find it takes more volume to play Sax than Clarinet. You probably had the same problem when you first started Clarinet. I still have the problem now and then on Sax. I have to concentrate on huge breaths. I also have found it helpful to mark on my sheet music places to take a breath. I have also found that a reed that's to hard will compound the problem. Try a softer reed until you work it out.

Perhaps some more experienced Sax guy/gal will refute or support my observations.

Lyle

[Dave Dolson]

I agree with Lyle . . . and will add that most clarinets don't project all that well, so the player learns to back off trying to blow over every other instrument, and instead, plays to blend in a section. Saxophones, on the other hand, have a bigger voice and lend themselves to overblowing much more so than most clarinets (personal opinion here folks).

Softer reeds, more open mouthpiece may help you play with authority without using more air than necessary. Yes, there are exceptions and there are a few clarinetists who can peel paint. DAVE

[Amy]

:) Thanks everyone for all your help, it is very much appreciated.

Amy

[conntenor]

you can exspand your lungs by taking a deep breath and keep breathing deeper and deeper you will feel your lungs expanding. you can also take a small breath then take a deep breath before you start playing. this helped alot on my concert f scale for my alto.

[conntenor]

i have found it easier to get onto a harder reed by playing on a hard reed then playing on a reed a half step up from what you have been playing on. this will considerably help with breathing.