Sometimes I am asked about holding notes longer on saxophone. It’s a somewhat common question. And I was curious about how long I actually could play notes. So I did an experiment to find out how long I can play different notes. Middle D, G w/ octave key, G w/o octave key, low Bb.
G with octave key: 22.0 seconds
Middle D: 18.8 seconds
G without octave key: 15.6 seconds
Low Bb: 8.3 seconds
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To put these note lengths in perspective, 60 bpm, beats per minute would be a fairly slow tempo. In 4/4 time, I played the Bb for a little more than two measures.
120 bpm would be a more common tempo. That would mean I played the low Bb for four measures.
You’re unlikely to need to play a note for more than four bars continuously. And if you do, generally it wouldn’t be on a low Bb. If a composer/arranger set something like that up, chances are they are unfamiliar with the saxophone.
I also played these notes on tenor, on alto, I could play them a bit longer, might try that out actually since I’m curious.
On bari, I would likely play them a little shorter.
Mouthpiece/reed and even saxophone are another consideration. So I may change the variables and try this experiment for a few more rounds.
Circular breathing is necessary for a few instruments – oboe and didjeridoo among the list, but I don’t think it is for saxophone. If you have a good reason why you think it is necessary, I would like to hear about it though.
What do you think of this experiment? What questions do you have? Leave a comment!
Thank you, Neal. Breathing is a concern I have, but until the last song I started, it was theoretic not a practical question. Now there are consecutive whole notes (G) in a song I want to master.
Hey Kate,
Music is broken into phrases that are not always marked. It probably does become more clear with the longer notes that they cannot be broken up. Phrases shouldn’t be broken up either though.
Hey Neal,
OK, here’s the real test. A low A on a Yahama YBS-62 baritone sax w/ a Berg Larson 115/2 mouthpiece with a #2 plasticover reed.
I’d measure it for you but I’m on the road right now.
I tell you what – holding a low note during those long, long screaming R&R endings are a bitch!
Stand by………
Hey Phil,
haha, I imagine I could hold that half as long as a Bb on tenor, around there. Probably playing a lot of bari develops your lungs a bit!
Hi Neal,
I am a novice playing sax. So playing decent notes is my current challenge.
I am also an experienced scuba diver and trained fire fighter. Which gives my a great breathing advantage. I can blow my horn for over a minute.
Hey Alphons,
Thanks, sounds like you’ve got some lung capacity! I’ll have to try again sometime. Focus on maintaining the tone, try holding notes steady at a low volume.
I can only hold my breath for 10 seconds on all major keys
Not bad, you probably don’t need much more than that. You can play a low Bb for 10 seconds?
i can hold an average of 22 seconds for most notes
On alto? How long for low Bb?
Hi Neal, I could hold those notes on Alto aprox 10 to 15 seconds on average.
Hey Gil,
Thanks, that should be about long enough.
-Neal
Hed Neal, Hold notes 10 to 15 seconds.
low B and low E 6 to 8 seconds. Tuner flukuates still average a green light.
Sam.
Hey Sam,
That should be about enough air for most things. You want to make it so the tuner doesn’t fluctuate. How much are you practicing ballads and long tones these days?
Hi Neal,
I’m writing an essay for school about the affects on the human body if the saxophone is not practice properly (e.g cheeks are sore, back hurts). Any ideas? Thanks!
Hey Michelle,
Some sax players bite into their lower lip too much, but probably the main problem would be on the neck. If you see Sonny Rollins playing these days, you can see some of the effects. He still sounds great, but a lot of older sax players have adverse effects from the weight on their neck for long periods.
From :warren frith , the conn’s tenor sax that I had ; I could play long sustained notes from b flat to g flat with less practice , but with the jupiter tenor sax I find that I need more time in long sustained notes and more air to play it. And I have found that this pays off with more time on long sustained notes.