Correct Breathing and Brass playing!
David Hughes dispels a few myths
How often have we heard the expression "Use your diaphragm to support your notes/playing/breathing?"
Totally erroneous! The diaphragm has but one function insofar as breathing is concerned. It is a large flat muscle that controls the 'intake' of air into the lungs. (It actually only accounts for around 70/80% of the lungs air intake. The rest is helped along by use of various muscles around the rib cage) It can play no part in the exhalation of breath as is required for brass instrument playing. Most of us will have learned that muscles are a 'one-way' movement system. For instance, the biceps when contracted serve to draw the forearm to the shoulder. It has no (little) function in extending the arm out again. Triceps take over this responsibility - for muscles cannot 'push'!
We all know - or at least should know - that 'proper' breathing is required for good brass playing techniques. So, where do we go from here?
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