Tenor Sax: stagger breathing or some other miracle?

Question:get the concept of stagger breathing but we have this song where we have to play 8th/16th notes for 33 measures without rest..im the 1st chair tenor and the 2nd chair doesnt play/play loud enough to make a difference our band teacher wants a full tone and loud enough tone throughout and ive tried and its almost impossible for me to play the whole line without breathing..so my great question to you all

How do you breathe and play at the same time?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: get the concept of stagger breathing but we have this song where we have to play 8th/16th notes for 33 measures without rest..im the 1st chair tenor and the 2nd chair doesnt play/play loud enough to make a difference our band teacher wants a full tone and loud enough tone throughout and ive tried and its almost impossible for me to play the whole line without breathing..so my great question to you all

How do you breathe and play at the same time?

The guy described the basic premise of circular breathing, but don't expect it to happen over night. Most any professional, or any player that can circular breathe, says it takes nearly a year to get it working right and being able to do it on call. Go talk to your teacher. Tell him the situation, and he can work it out with the 2nd chair guy so that you don't get blamed for him not doing his part.

It's called circlular breathing. Basically what you do is inhale, and when you have exhaled 3 quarters of the way, you puff up your cheeks and push the cheek air out while you inhale. Upon inhaling, you then return to playing normally. Google circular breathing, I'm sure you will be able to find out more.