How to Blow into a Saxophone Properly: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the art of playing the saxophone requires a proper understanding of embouchure, breathing, and technique. In this guide, we will explore each of these crucial components to help you produce the best sound possible on your saxophone.

SAXOPHONE EMBOUCHURE

Embouchure is the term used to describe the way you set the saxophone mouthpiece in your mouth. It is a critical aspect of saxophone playing that can greatly affect the sound quality and breath control.

Placement of the Reed and Mouthpiece: First, place the reed using the ligature on the mouthpiece. Ensure that the reed is perfectly aligned with the mouthpiece. Any misalignment can lead to issues like poor sound quality or missing notes. Forming the Embouchure: Form your embouchure as you would for a clarinet. However, there is a difference. The saxophone mouthpiece typically forms an angle with the rest of the instrument, while on a clarinet, it forms a straight line. Adjust your mouth accordingly. Biting and Blowing: Place your upper teeth so that they bite the mouthpiece. Then, place your mouth to dampen the reed. Blow in with moderate force to make the saxophone vibrate.

Common problems include:

Incorrect Reed Placement: Ensure that the reed is perfectly placed and aligned with the mouthpiece. Ligature Stability: The ligature should be secure, and the saxophone should not be too heavy for comfortable holding. Blow Angle and Technique: Make sure you blow straight and in the correct manner. Misalignment or improper blowing technique can result in poor sound quality or missed notes. Key Press Errors or Instrument Issues: Check if any keys are pressed accidentally or if there are any problems with the saxophone.

DIAPHRAGM SUPPORTED BREATHING

Proper breathing is essential for good saxophone technique. Using the diaphragm to support your breath can greatly enhance your sound quality.

Standing Position: Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart. Lean your torso from your hips forward and position your upper body almost at a 90-degree angle against your legs. Place your palms against the sides of your body just below your rib cage. Breathing Technique: Breathe in through your stomach, allowing your hands to feel the expanding movement. As you continue to breathe, slowly straighten up while maintaining the same sensation in your hands. This is known as breathing through your diaphragm. Quick Breathing: To take a quick breath, say the word “hot” in reverse, i.e., “toh” while you breathe in.

Remember not to use your nose while playing the saxophone. Instead, breathe through your mouth.

POSTURE

Correct posture is also vital for proper saxophone playing. Here’s how to maintain the right stance:

Neck Position: Keep your neckline straight but comfortable, much like when you look straight ahead in the mirror. Height of Saxophone: When the saxophone rests on the neck strap, ensure it is at a height where your neck stays in a comfortable, straight position when you take it to your mouth. Support: The right-hand thumb should carry the saxophone and stabilize it. If it starts to hurt, take a break, stretch your hand, and continue after a couple of minutes. There is no workaround to this.

ESTABLISHING CORRECT EMBOUCHURE AND BREATH SUPPORT

To establish correct embouchure and breath support:

Stand in Front of a Mirror: Look into the mirror and clinch the sides of your mouth as if you just ate something very sour while you smile. Form the Opening: Form a small opening in your mouth just big enough for you to see the tip of the reed when you are ready to blow. Feel the Facial Muscles: When you touch the sides of your mouth, you should feel rock-hard, about a thumb-thick line. These are your facial muscles. Do it correctly so that your lower teeth gently press against your lower lip. Blow into the Saxophone: Place about 1/3 of the mouthpiece into your mouth and form the same position you practiced. Put your top teeth on the mouthpiece and slowly move your lower teeth towards the mouthpiece until you feel a comfortable squeeze on your lower lip. Remember, your lower lip should already be covering your lower teeth, and no forward jaw movement should be made; the jaw should only move upward in a natural biting motion. Your tongue should lie relaxed below your lower teeth.

Your embouchure should aim for this comfortable and supportive position.

TAKING A BREATH AND FOCUSING ON EMBΟUCHURE

Practice how to take a breath while focusing on your embouchure. In the “toh” technique, your embouchure will loosen up to take the breath, and afterwards, focus on positioning it correctly.

YOUR FIRST SOUND

Once you are comfortable with your embouchure and breathing, try blowing your first notes on the saxophone:

If it squeaks, you have too much of the mouthpiece in your mouth. If there is no sound, you might have too little. If you are sure that only 1/3 of the mouthpiece is in and your embouchure is correct, issues may arise from clenching your mouth too tight, not allowing air to vibrate the reed, or not clenching enough, allowing the air to sip through, providing too little force for the reed to vibrate. If you feel all is right but all you get is a breathe sound, your reed might be too hard, or if it shuts onto the mouthpiece, the reed might be too soft, or you are blowing too hard.

Embouchure and proper technique are ongoing skills that woodwind players develop over their careers. It is always a good idea to get a teacher to demonstrate and correct your technique. However, if that is not an option, consider watching some YouTube tutorials and practicing in front of the mirror.

Enjoy your first notes on the saxophone and always strive for great breath support!