TaKaTa Trumpets

Part 1.  Natural Breath to “Trumpet Breath.”  We typically pay little attention to our breathing – it is just a natural thing that goes on in the background of our daily lives. If you focus your awareness on your natural breathing – pay attention to it now for a few breaths – if you’re like me you’ll observe a few things:

One is that the breath is symmetrical.  The time it takes to inhale is equal to the time it takes to exhale.

Second, the breath moves freely in both directions, with little resistance.

Third, the transitions between inhaling and exhaling are smooth.  

Now, think about playing the trumpet.  A couple of change with the breath compared to the natural breath.

    The inhalation is usually much faster than the exhalation – perhaps one or two beats for the inhalation, and several measures of music for the exhalation.

    The inhalation needs to be relaxed and free of resistance in order to maximize the amount of air that can be taken in – while the exhalation is made against quite a lot of resistance – and this resistance changes depending on the register and dynamic level we are playing in.  

    One key part of the natural breath that we need to keep as we play the trumpet is the smooth, effortless transition of the breath from inhalation to exhalation.  

One thing we need to do to play the trumpet well is to adapt the body so that the “trumpet breath” is efficient and free of unnecessary tension.  The body needs to learn how to rapidly take in air with minimal effort, turn the air around smoothly and exhale for an extended period of time against the resistance of the embouchure and horn without building stress and tension.  

So, how do you do that?  I find it helpful to start with the natural breath and let it evolve into the “trumpet breath,” keeping focus on retaining the two aspects of the natural breath that are critical to trumpet playing – the relaxed inhale, and the smooth transition from inhale to exhale.   I find that the body will naturally adapt the exhale to match the resistance from the embouchure and that, in this initial phase, it is best to let that happen naturally and not push or force air out.

Here’s a progressive daily routine.  It takes just a few minutes, but it allows you to focus on the key aspects of your breath for trumpet playing so that if a problem has crept into your playing you will be able to identify and correct it before moving on.  It moves from your natural breath to the “trumpet breath” in easy stages, so it is easy to be aware of any problem that arises.

First, sit comfortably with good posture and become aware of your natural breath – How slow or fast is it?  What parts of your body move as you breath?  What does the transition from inhalation to exhalation feel like?  Do you feel any tension in your back, arms or shoulders?  If so, let that tension go, relax it with each exhalation.  Once you feel relaxed and aware of your breathing, you’re ready to move on.  [At this, and every step, if you are aware that something is not working, or doesn’t feel right – do not move on.   Take a short break and begin again.]

Second, turn your metronome on at q=60.  Breathe naturally, and notice the rhythm of your natural breath –  mine is around 4 beats for a complete cycle of inhale and exhale.  Begin matching your breathing with the metronome – for example, 2 counts in, 2 counts out.  Otherwise, everything should be as relaxed and easy as before – the same movements, and the instant, effortless transition from inhale to exhale.

Third, shorten the inhalation.  For instance, if your natural pattern at q=60 is 2 in and 2 out, change to 1 in and 2 out.  Be aware that your throat and chest stay relaxed, allowing the same amount of air to flow in, in half the time as before.  Breathe this way for a while.  Focus your attention on the transition from inhalation to exhalation.  You may be aware that it does not feel as smooth as before.  This is a point where a ‘hitch’ or pause in your breathing may show up, because now, unlike with the natural breath, you are moving faster on the inhalation and slower on the exhalation.  If you sense this, just continue to breathe and be aware of what the transition feels like.  Try going back to your natural rhythm (e.g. 2 in and 2 out) until the transition becomes smooth and effortless, and then try 1 in and 2 out again.

As with any exercise, you may not perfect it right away, but return to it daily and work through the steps from the beginning, and you will soon find it becoming more natural.

In the future, you can make this exercise more advanced by increasing the volume of air you move, lengthening the time of the exhalation, or by shortening the inhalation to half a beat (1/8 note) or even a quarter beat (1/16 note).  Be very alert for tension and for keeping a smooth transition to the exhalation, which are apt to appear at this stage due to the increased demands you are placing on your body.  Direct your awareness to the checklist – one thing at a time:  be aware of the breathing movements, tension (and let it go with each exhale), and the smooth transition to the exhalation.  

Clearly, inhaling twice your normal volume of air in 1/8 as much time, and exhaling it over the course of 20 seconds or more,  requires training muscles to react differently than they do in your natural breathing, but it is essential that this “trumpet breath” be free and relaxed, with an effortless transition from the inhale to the exhale, just like your natural breath.  By training your breathing engine carefully and diligently, and by keeping your awareness and focus at each step, your “trumpet breath” and your playing will steadily improve.