Breathing

If the breathing’s right everything’s easy. If the breathing’s wrong nothing’s easy.

Frank Kaderabek (former principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra)

Breathing is one of the most important things when playing the trumpet.

The air carries the sound and our body is the motor that provides the air.

That is why it is important to get to know, understand and learn to feel your own breathing.

Exercises can help to train the breathing muscles and improve your play.

Introduction

Anatomy

The essential parts of the body for breathing

1. lungs

The lungs are filled with air when you inhale and the air flows out again via the windpipe when you exhale. When playing the trumpet, they function like a tank in which the air is stored.

2. diaphragm and intercostal muscles

The diaphragm is the principal muscle of respiration, contracting to enlarge the thoracic cavity and allow air to be drawn into the lungs.

The intercostal muscles are important when it comes to active breathing.

3. belly

The belly or abdomen initially has nothing to do with breathing, but it can prevent us from breathing easily if it is too tense.

If you have trouble with this, lie on your back, bend your legs, and try to breathe deeply into your abdomen. Stretch your arms out as well.

Inhalation

Your breathing merely foreshadows how you want the music to sound.

Charlie Porter, freelance trumpeter New York

Exhalation

Summary

Fortunately, almost everything happens automatically when we breathe!

Only two things are essential:

1. When inhaling, remember to do so without resistance. Reminders such as yawning or saying the syllables “oh” or “ah” can help.
2. When exhaling, remember to blow against your lips. This is where the vibration occurs. We don't need air in the trumpet.

You don't need a lot of air to play the trumpet; the quality of the air is crucial.

Don't expand to breathe, breathe to expand!

Arnold Jacobs

Exercises

Sport for the breathing muscles

The following exercises are like a little workout for your breathing muscles. They have nearly nothing in common with your breathing when playing but helps you to develop your muscles. They are fun, but don't overdo them and don't try to play trumpet like that because that will definitely leads to overblow.

Additional videos

Here, famous trumpeters such as Bobby Shew give you a few additional ideas on breathing. Take a look, but don't try to implement everything at once, as this can quickly lead to overload.

Give yourself time to discover your breathing.