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Continuing our look at fundamentals (based on a list in the Douglas Hill book), the next topic has to do with the whole topic of breathing. A rather important fundamental!
Capacity
Working backwards in the prompt, breathing capacity is important to consider. Some horn players have smaller lungs, some have larger. While I would propose all players should aim to use their full capacity, it is vitally important for players with smaller lungs to get comfortable with taking very full breaths, to make that their habit.
I’ve heard it said that while you can’t physically increase your lung capacity, with practice you can increase the effective capacity, as you are using it better.
And now let’s make breathing difficult
I will also say, some teachers seem to want to make a natural process into a complicated process. It’s not complicated! Just take a large breath. Don’t worry about your back expanding, filling your lungs from the bottom (which is not possible to do!), etc.
But I think there is a final item that is part of what makes breathing harder for some …
Where are your lungs?
The surprising answer is that many people visualize their lungs being lower in the body than they really are.
I’m not sure why this is, but asking students this question over many years now I know that people often think their lungs are in roughly the middle of their torso, and perhaps even lower – but actually they are behind your rib cage and extend up into your shoulder blades.
With that in mind, take a deep breath. Can you now feel the air filling a space higher in your body? And do you also feel, with the large breath, your shoulders rise as part of the natural expansion that occurs?
Take a large breath
Myself, I take a large breath for everything I play, even a single note by itself. It is a good habit, and gets at what underlies the concept of “support.” Exercises to work on taking a large breath abound, but if you are looking for a couple, check out the one in my warmup book.
Bonus: On getting old
It should be mentioned that there is an aging process that reduces the elasticity of your lungs. I’m sure I can’t quite make the breaths I used to make, but I do still get close! Periodically I’ll do some serious breathing practice using Breathing Gym exercises. It is worth doing as it will help in maintaining your best lung capacity.
When the series continues, the topic is the embouchure.
Continue reading Fundamentals Series
