Brass players face challenges that are a little different than other musicians because they have to force a large amount of air through their instruments using the strength of their lungs and diaphragm. These musicians need a large lung capacity and the ability to control the flow of air into their instrument. These breathing exercises are designed to not only increase the amount of air taken in by the lungs, but to enable the musician to control the air they expire.
Exercise One
Stand straight without your instrument and check your posture to ensure that you have your weight evenly distributed across your feet and your spine is straight. Begin inhaling slowly for two heartbeats by breathing in through your mouth. Hold this breath for four heartbeats while consciously relaxing your throat and concentrating on holding the air in your lungs using only your diaphragm. Breathe out slowly using a controlled and steady breath that takes four heartbeats to complete. Repeat as necessary.
Exercise Two
Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and breathe in for five seconds while simultaneously lifting both arms above your head. As you reach the fifth count of your inhale, lower both arms. Hold the air in your lungs using your diaphragm and without tightening the muscles of your throat. Exhale slowly. Repeat six times in front of a mirror. As you become more familiar with the exercise, you can lower the five count to a three count, and finally a single count.
Exercise Three
Exhale forcefully and allow your lungs to completely empty of air. Begin relaxing your diaphragm and allow air to slowly begin entering your lungs. Continue inhaling and expand your ribs to allow more air to enter. As you begin to feel your lungs fill completely, elevate your collarbones to get a little more air. Continue until you have taken in as much air as you can hold. Be sure that you inhale without gasping, using a slow and continuous motion instead. Breathe out using a slow and controlled breath until all the air has been expelled from your lungs. Repeat several times daily.
Exercise Four
Inhale using a slow and controlled breath that takes about five heartbeats. Hold this breath for a second and then slowly exhale using a controlled motion that takes about five heartbeats. Repeat five or six times as necessary. Be sure that you're breathing in and out at the same speed and with the same intensity. You may want to make the sound "hoe" with each inhale and exhale.
