How we breathe is extremely important, but it can be easy to overlook from time to time. In this post, we will show you a few strategies, videos, and tools to try regarding Breathing Exercises.
Safety First!
Before we continue, we want to emphasize caution when approaching breathing exercises. Make sure you are in a comfortable and safe place when you practice them—ideally sitting down. If you ever begin to feel overly dizzy or fatigued, stop and catch your breath. Your health and safety are always what is most important.
That being said, here are a few ideas and approaches to breathing and exercises!
Why practice breathing exercises?
So many of us get tight and breathe with tension on occasion—even advanced players. Breathing is a fundamental skill that always needs reinforcement and attention. It is especially important in times of stress—like a performance—to breathe in a relaxed way to avoid tension.
Many different pedagogies express their views on how to breathe when playing trumpet or other brass instruments. While some of these pedagogies differ in opinion or approach, they all agree on the importance of it.
This post is just a place to start. Breathing exercises should be a regular part of your study and practice. We encourage you to investigate further and see what works for you!
Although there are many things a trumpet player must work on and cultivate, it all begins with a breath.
Wim Hof Method
One method of breathing that is utilized by many, including musicians, is the Wim Hof method. Wim Hof is quite a character—and his methods are utilized by trumpeter Roman Rindberger of the Mnozil Brass!
“Roman Rindberger is a certified Wim Hof Instructor and trains mostly musicians to overcome fear, anxiety and stress caused by their work.”
Two breathing exercises from this method are linked below:
You may find that utilizing these videos helps activate your breathing on the trumpet. They might also help you find calmness in times of stress. Check them out!
Apnea Trainer
Another tool to consider using is the Apnea Trainer app. You can find the app for IOS in the App store. (It’s Free!)
This app, similar to the videos shown above, facilitates breathing and helps you maintain a pattern. There are a couple specific advantages to using an app.
- Apps will help you remain consistent due to reminders and notifications
- You can more easily track your progress
- They are often customizable to your goals
Specifically, Apnea Trainer is designed to assist free divers in training to hold their breath for longer periods of time. There is a significant overlap in benefit for trumpet players when practicing techniques demonstrated in the app.
An excellent review of the app can be found here
Breathing with Marquis Hill
Our video at trumpetwarmup.com titled “Breathing With Marquis Hill” is an excellent way to start your warmup session!
The exercise is done in sync with Marquis and takes less than 2 minutes. One of the most useful aspects of this exercise is that it reminds the body to breathe in an engaged way before playing the trumpet. Although the breathing is relaxed, it is also active and full. This is especially true when inhaling for 12 counts and exhaling for 12.
Marquis makes it look easy, though! This is a big part of why this video is helpful—Marquis provides an example of proper breathing that you can see, hear, and imitate.
Although it is a unique balance, a trumpeter must breathe actively and freely! We encourage you to check in with this skill several times a week (or every day!). A proper breath can improve your playing immensely.
Other Tools to Consider
Outside of apps and videos, there are specific tools that you can use to measure and improve your breathing. Here are some recommendations
- Astra—Air Trainer for Trumpet (Used by Arturo Sandoval and Tom Hooten!)
- Berp Bat—Breathing Awareness Tool
- Breath Builder
- Hudson RCI Voldyne 5000
- Breathing Bag
- Portex Inspiron
We recommend starting with just one. Try using it for 1-2 months in your practice routine and see whether it's helping you improve or not :)
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to consider how to improve your breathing. We hope the information above gives you a good place to start!
Truly, what is most important is to breathe in a relaxed way. When releasing the air through the trumpet, let it flow.
Happy practicing!
- (Interested in a free 14-day trial to trumpetwarmup.com? Tap here!)
