A
technique utilized by players of
wind instruments, in which
air is taken in through the
nose while simultaneously being pushed out through the
mouth. This is used so that musicians can play long notes and phrases will appearing not to
breathe. Most notably, this is used by
saxophone player
Kenny G.
Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis has the ability to circular breathe but he refuses to do so. As his father once told him, his listeners would pay attention to how long he played, and not what he was actually playing.
Sadly, Wynton Marsalis has not achieved the pop culture status that Kenny G has, but perhaps it's for the best. Wynton puts on a better show, and I don't have to worry about the venue selling out.