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Breathing

Author: Amy
Date: 2003-05-01 20:41

I have played the clarinet for five years now and four months ago took up the alto sax as well. When I play the sax, 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?

Thanks,

Amy

Post Edited (2003-05-01 22:42)

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Re: Breathing

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-02 00:18

My guess is that your sax mouthpiece is much more open than the clarinet mouthpiece and you're just not used to it. Try using a softer reed. As for breathing exercises, long tones I believe will do the trick to help you develop some breath endurance.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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Re: Breathing

Author: hans
Date: 2003-05-02 00:38

Amy,
It will improve. What you are experiencing is normal and will become less noticeable in a few months as you gain experience with the sax.
A softer reed might ease the transition.
Best wishes,
Hans

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Re: Breathing

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-05-02 15:33

Good advice above, also see the thread above, "Breathing Out". Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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Re: Breathing

Author: William
Date: 2003-05-02 19:59

Most clarinetists, when switching to the sax, will tend to use too much embouchure "bite" and will use reeds to compensate for that tendancy. The tone will be airy (lots of wasted air through the mpc) and dull. Learn to use less pressure--almost the equivilent of double lip--and make do with a softer reed. Learning to bend tones and play with vibrato will help relax you "clarinet chops."

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Re: Breathing

Author: Amy
Date: 2003-05-03 15:29

Thanks everyone. Your help is very much appreciated. I will try a softer reed for now and see how it works out.

Amy

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