To help musicians connect their breathing with how they play notes, there are some important techniques to learn. These techniques can improve how well they play and how their music sounds on brass instruments.
Good airflow is very important for playing instruments well.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: This means using your diaphragm, a muscle below your lungs, to breathe in air. This is better than just breathing with your chest.
How to Practice: Start by lying down on your back. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Breathe in deeply through your nose, letting your stomach rise while your chest stays still. Then, breathe out slowly through your lips, like you are blowing gently. Try to control your breath as you do this.
Once you know how to breathe using your diaphragm, it's time to use that breath while playing.
Long Tones: Begin by playing long notes at different volumes. Fill your lungs completely and keep a steady flow of air while playing. This will make your diaphragm stronger and help you control your breath better.
Dynamics Chart: Make a chart showing different volumes from soft to loud (pp to ff). Practice holding notes at these different volumes while controlling your breathing. This will help connect your breath and how clearly you play, making it easier to move between loud and soft notes.
Articulation is how you start and stop each note you play. Your breath support can make this better.
Staccato and Legato Exercises: Practice two different styles called staccato (short notes) and legato (smooth notes) while focusing on your breathing.
For staccato, use quick puffs of air and a quick tongue movement to start each note.
For legato, use a smooth and steady airflow. Lightly use your tongue to separate the notes.
The tongue is very important for how notes sound.
By adding these exercises and techniques to your practice, you'll see that breath control and articulation can support each other. This will help you improve your performances on brass instruments!
To help musicians connect their breathing with how they play notes, there are some important techniques to learn. These techniques can improve how well they play and how their music sounds on brass instruments.
Good airflow is very important for playing instruments well.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: This means using your diaphragm, a muscle below your lungs, to breathe in air. This is better than just breathing with your chest.
How to Practice: Start by lying down on your back. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Breathe in deeply through your nose, letting your stomach rise while your chest stays still. Then, breathe out slowly through your lips, like you are blowing gently. Try to control your breath as you do this.
Once you know how to breathe using your diaphragm, it's time to use that breath while playing.
Long Tones: Begin by playing long notes at different volumes. Fill your lungs completely and keep a steady flow of air while playing. This will make your diaphragm stronger and help you control your breath better.
Dynamics Chart: Make a chart showing different volumes from soft to loud (pp to ff). Practice holding notes at these different volumes while controlling your breathing. This will help connect your breath and how clearly you play, making it easier to move between loud and soft notes.
Articulation is how you start and stop each note you play. Your breath support can make this better.
Staccato and Legato Exercises: Practice two different styles called staccato (short notes) and legato (smooth notes) while focusing on your breathing.
For staccato, use quick puffs of air and a quick tongue movement to start each note.
For legato, use a smooth and steady airflow. Lightly use your tongue to separate the notes.
The tongue is very important for how notes sound.
By adding these exercises and techniques to your practice, you'll see that breath control and articulation can support each other. This will help you improve your performances on brass instruments!