Embouchure:
- Roll in the lower lip: Gently roll the lower lip inward to create a tighter seal around the mouthpiece.
- Pull corners: Pull the corners of the mouth in slightly, as if you're smiling without showing teeth.
- Relax the mouth: Avoid excess tension in the mouth. Keep the muscles around your mouth relaxed while maintaining the lip seal.
- Slight chin pressure: Apply gentle downward pressure with the chin to help stabilize the mouthpiece.
Breath Control:
- Diaphragmatic breathing: Focus on breathing deeply from the diaphragm to create a consistent and steady airstream.
- Controlled air pressure: Maintain a balanced air pressure throughout your playing. Avoid forcing too much air or playing too softly.
- Smooth transitions: Use a gradual change of breath pressure when moving between notes or phrases.
Technique:
- Lip flexibility: Practice lip slurs and flexibility exercises to improve your lip control and ability to switch between notes smoothly.
- Long tones: Play sustained long tones to develop your breath control and evenness of sound.
- Articulation exercises: Practice articulating notes clearly and precisely.
- Listen and adjust: Pay attention to the sound you produce and make adjustments as needed to eliminate airy sounds.
Remember, improving saxophone tone and eliminating airy sounds takes practice and patience. Consistent practice and attention to proper embouchure, breath control, and technique will help you achieve a richer and more controlled sound on the alto saxophone.