How To Use Long Tones For Tone Development On Saxophone

There is nothing more important in the development of sound on the saxophone (or any wind instrument) than playing long tones. In general long tones are notes that are held at a steady volume and pitch for as long as your breath will allow. I challenge all of my students to do long tones consistently everyday for a month. If, at the end of the month, their tone is not improved, they can quit doing them. Needless to say I always win that bet. Why? Long tones are like going to the gym for wind musicians. By holding notes out you can hear subtle variations in wind control. You can focus on the overall timbre of the sound. Who cares if you can play all the correct notes with the correct rhythms but your sound is horrible? Long tones should be used in every practice session as a warm up. I recommend you record yourself before beginning a consistent long tone warm up routine, and then record yourself a month later. You will then be able to notice your improved tone.

Long tones need not be boring. Don’t just play long notes for the sake of playing long tones. Set a define goal for what you are trying to accomplish with your long tone. Sure endurance can be gained, but it is more about tone development and breath control. Set a metronome to provide a steady beat and maybe work on playing a crescendo or decrescendo over the length of the long tone. Maybe try to play as quietly as you can with good tone and keep the pitch as consistent as possible. Also don’t get in the trap of playing your long tones with the same note every time. The range of the saxophone should be explored, practice high notes and low notes.

With consistent work you can and will improve your tone.