Question 5:

Dear Mary,

I very much appreciate your kind words. Many folks, apparently, have gained from reading the Audition Observations article. That makes me feel good:-)

My best advice is to do a thorough breathing routine every day and before playing every time. Truthfully, EVERY time the horn comes out of the case. A routine that encourages EASE of flow and depth of relaxation. (A rather comprehensive routine is here)


The best:
4 beats in, 4 out. Each time a bit slower pace and a bit deeper, but always tremendously steady and even. Let the body expand as it sees fit, don't force a thing. Might take 2 minutes, might take 30 minutes. But when the air is really flowing in this manner, and we keep it flowing this way through the lips that buzz, our minds are free to think of nothing. When you're thinking of nothing, you're making good music.

The breath is so very central to good music-making, as I guess it is to most everything. In that sense, I think we brass players (wind players all) are quite blessed:
Our hobbies encourage awareness and efficiency of the most life-affirming and life-enhancing activity: breathing (the 'chi' as some eastern philosophies describe, the Breath of Life in western traditions).
It's powerful stuff, the breath, we can use it to our advantage with practice and awareness.

As years go by, I have become more fascinated and impressed by this power. I believe a good portion of our daily practice should be spent on simply BREATHING. Keep in mind this important fact, too:

The nature of your exhale will mimic that of your inhale.

In other words, if we strive for a steady, even flow through the lips and into the horn, we can concentrate almost solely on the way we breathe IN. That's worth dwelling upon, believe me.

I liken it to pedaling a bicycle: if we don't pedal steadily and at the proper pace, the bike wobbles and/or we expend far too much energy for the task at hand. In the proper gear with the proper pace, the bike seems to joyously go about it's task. The trombone and the breath share a very similar relationship.

Thanks for writing, Mary. Happy BREATHING.