[2] It is used extensively in playing the Eastern zurna, the Mongolian limbe, the Tibetan gyaling, the Sardinian launeddas, the Egyptian arghul, the Australian didgeridoo, many traditional oboes and flutes of Asia and the Middle East, and the saluang, a traditional bamboo flute from Minangkabau ethnic, West Sumatra, Indonesia.Although many professional wind players find circular breathing highly useful, few pieces of European orchestral music composed before the 20th century actually require its use.In 1997, a Guinness World Record was set for the longest held musical note when Kenny G used circular breathing to sustain an E-flat on a saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds.If done correctly, by the time the air in the mouth is nearly exhausted the musician can begin to exhale from the lungs once more, ready to repeat the process again.This technique may be practiced by holding a finger in front of a thin air stream out of the lips and listening to the wind sound.
Saxophonist performing
Caprice No.5
, by Niccolò Paganini, using the circular breathing technique.