How to Circular Breathe on Saxophone

Circular Breathing Principle

While inhaling, use pre-stored oral air to keep blowing.

Two Prerequisites

1. Solid diaphragmatic breathing
2. Medium-volume long tones stable ≥40 seconds

Seven Steps

1. Store: Puff cheeks
2. Squeeze: Oral muscles push air out 5-6 seconds, lungs NOT involved
3. Nose inhale: Keep cheeks puffed, quick nose breath into lungs
4. Simultaneous (hardest): Nose inhale while squeezing oral air
5. Switch: When oral air runs low, switch back to lungs
6. Loop: Repeat — unbroken bubbles = success
7. Refine on instrument: Move storage from cheeks to back of mouth

Timeline

• Grasp the concept: ~1 week
• Stable on long tones: ~1 month
• Seamless: ~2 months