Saxophone Crescendo and Decrescendo Playing Techniques
Core Principles:
**Crescendo:** Increase the airflow and pressure while maintaining a stable embouchure and pitch.
**Decrescendo:** Reduce the airflow but maintain or even slightly increase the support from the diaphragm (the sensation of abdominal support), while keeping a stable embouchure and pitch.
---
### Specific Playing Techniques:
#### **Firm and Stable Embouchure**
This is the foundation of all foundations! Regardless of dynamic changes, the support from the lower lip, the pressure point of the teeth on the mouthpiece, and the inward tightening of the corners of the mouth must remain relatively constant.
**Common Mistakes:**
- Biting down hard on the mouthpiece during a crescendo (causing the pitch to rise and the tone to become shrill).
- Relaxing the embouchure during a decrescendo (causing the pitch to drop and the tone to become weak or even squeak).
- Avoid any up-and-down movement of the jaw.
#### **Precise Breath Control**
**Crescendo:**
- **Increase airflow:** Feel the diaphragm actively press downward, with the abdominal (core/dantian area) expansion and support increasing.
- **Increase air pressure:** While keeping the airway (throat and oral cavity) open and relaxed, use enhanced abdominal support to "push" the air more concentratedly and forcefully. Imagine the airstream becoming thicker and faster.
- **Sensation:** Like blowing up a balloon that gradually expands, requiring steady and consistent pressure.
**Decrescendo:**
- **Reduce airflow:** Gradually and controllably decrease the abdominal expansion and support, allowing the exhaled air volume to diminish.
- **Maintain/slightly increase breath support:** This is the tricky part! Even though the air volume decreases, the abdomen must not collapse completely. Maintain some core tension to support the reduced airflow, ensuring focus and pitch stability. Imagine the airstream becoming thinner but still moving steadily, with the core still providing a "supporting" sensation.
- **Keep the airway open:** The throat and oral cavity must not constrict or tense up just because less air is being used. Maintain a "yawning" or "holding a hot egg" sensation to keep the airway unobstructed.
- **Sensation:** Like letting air out of a balloon slowly and evenly, but the balloon wall (your support) must not suddenly collapse.
#### **Throat and Oral Cavity Space**
Whether crescendo or decrescendo, keeping the throat relaxed and open is key to achieving good tone and intonation. The internal space of the oral cavity (with the soft palate raised) should also remain as stable as possible, helping to unify tone and resonance. Avoid pressing the throat during crescendos or constricting it during decrescendos.
---
### Common Problems and Solutions:
1. **Pitch rises/tone becomes harsh during crescendo:**
- Usually caused by biting the mouthpiece!
- Check if the embouchure is stable and if the jaw is tense or pressing down.
- Focus on increasing abdominal airflow and pressure rather than biting with the mouth.
2. **Pitch drops/tone becomes weak/air cuts out during decrescendo:**
- Usually caused by a complete loss of abdominal support or tightening of the throat/oral cavity.
- Maintain core abdominal support (even with less air) and keep the throat and oral cavity open.
- Imagine the breath support "holding" the sound until the very last note.
3. **Uneven dynamic changes, with a stepped or fluctuating effect:**
- Breath control is not refined enough.
- Return to long-tone exercises, practicing crescendos and decrescendos at an extremely slow tempo, focusing on feeling smooth and continuous changes in abdominal strength.
- Use a metronome to strictly control the speed of dynamic changes.
4. **Inconsistent tone during dynamic changes:**
- The embouchure, throat state, or oral cavity space is unstable during the process.
- Ensure these foundational elements remain constant during dynamic shifts.
- Pay special attention to tonal continuity during long-tone exercises.