Breathing and Air Support Techniques

As with tone production, breathing requires use of the correct muscles. In order to use the proper muscles, a student will need to “practice” using them. This comes through playing long tones, scales, and long passages that help develop abdominal muscles. In addition, students will get a better sense of “how” to use the proper muscles by playing louder than what they are used to. This forces the muscles to work and not be lazy. Wimpy muscles produce wimpy tone.

In actuality, it takes more air pressure to play soft than it does loud. However, wind players struggle with learning how to play well softly. On the other hand, it’s easier to start by playing loud FIRST and learn to gradually get softer (via long tones).

P.S.I. stands for “pounds per square inch.” The muscles that are used to support the airstream require a high enough “P.S.I.” to keep the air spinning fast enough which in turn, supports the tone. Think of a garden hose that’s hooked up to a power washer. That stream of water could hurt someone! But, its intensity is often enough to clean a brick wall. Imagine how a higher P.S.I. of air could support tone quality? The higher the P.S.I. of air, the better supported the tone is. This then creates better tone.

Here are some pointers to practice learning how to use good air:

• The muscles that are used for supporting the air include ALL of the abdominal muscles (front, side, and back). Think of “abs of steel” like they use for workout sessions. These are the same muscles used in playing a wind instrument.
• Play slow, slurred scales LOUD! Make the abdominal muscles work!
• Practice lying down on your back and singing. Feel what muscles are working. These are the same muscles used with proper breathing and tone production on a wind instrument.
• Another fun practice technique is to hiss with pressure for as long as possible (but don’t pass out!). Create resistance and when you think the air is gone, push a little more. Do this as a breathing warm-up to remind your body what muscles need to be worked out.
• Do you run? If so, practice breathing in for four counts, then breathe out for four counts, while running. The footsteps can act as a metronome. If four counts are too quick, change to either 5 or 6 counts. This can also be done with walking.
• When working out in a gym, concentrate on exercises that specifically work the abdominal muscles.
• While playing your instrument, see how long you can play without taking a breath. When you feel the air is almost gone, push a little more. Then, breathe in from the bottom (gut) area and practice keeping the shoulders down.