Sometimes you want your saxophone to really cut through.

Could be your solo or another part that you want to give some emphasis.

And if you’re playing with a loud group, you’ll need to bring up your volume.

An equipment change may help facilitate your ability to get more volume.

Be careful though, some mouthpieces will make it easy to play louder but very very difficult to play softly and you don’t want to sacrifice your dynamic range.

For example, an old metal Otto Link might be great for a big band, but you’ll get funny looks left and right if you brought it to an orchestral setting.

A bigger factor in getting volume on saxophone is you.

Your lung capacity, your fitness level.

According to the biography by his daughter Nancy, Frank Sinatra used to think about lyrics while swimming underwater to increase his air capacity.

That might be a little extreme.

But exercising can help you out as a saxophone player.

Yoga also places some focus on breathing and it has been recommended to me by several musicians.

Haven’t gotten into it too much yet though.