Cardiovascular exercise - make a dif?

[ecafdrib]

Hello all,

So back in 2020, in the beginning of the year as Covid was secretly poking out his head, I had two massive strokes. The strokes sent be back quite a bit physically.

later that year, near the end of the year, I started playing trumpet. I have noticed that I get tired easy and lose my breath a lot. I am just now starting to get back to physical exercise. Has anyone noticed if having a regular routine of either jogging or some other type of cardio helps with the breathing.

I would think the answer is yes, but have met some really great players who just never exercise. So, just curious how much of a difference it makes.

Thanks in advance
~Arty
_________________
Trumpets are very much like jerks, they sound the best when they are muted.
______________________________
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8C2LJ_M0q8&list=PLtEjClG65CHKqJWUHEkssH9uVS8wD6opd

[andybharms]

This is a good question. In addition to being a professional classical trumpeter, I am also a certified personal trainer, so I have a good background to speak on this. I have done a handful of marathons, Spartan races, CrossFit, and triathlon, and feel like I have some expertise here, even if being an athlete isn’t my first/primary job.

In short, not really. In your case specifically it might, because you are rebuilding neurological pathways associated with coordination of breathing/blowing muscles. But for an average person, it doesn’t help trumpeting in itself. Someone with a high VO2 max will not be more successful on the trumpet than someone with an average or even low VO2.

What does help is the discipline associated with physical exercise, body awareness/mapping, and coordination. Regular exercise also helps even out mood and temperament. There are a lot of good reasons for a trumpeter to want to exercise regularly, and I highly recommend it.
_________________
Andrew Harms, DMA
http://www.andrewbharms.com

[kehaulani]

Well, this is personal, but it makes a difference to me but not how you think it would. When I'm in good shape, I'm more alert and have better stamina.

Now, I've been a musician for a long time, so I know how to compensate so that the end result, what comes out of the horn, is the same. But out of shape, I have to work harder and I'm more tired after a performance.

Regarding the air, it definitely makes a difference. Better shape, better wind capacity. But like I said, if I'm not presently running, swimming, doing Martial Arts, whatever I feel it.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[JayKosta]

[peanuts56]

I would probably not advise running. I'm guessing you're not a young man. I ran for 41 years and loved it. It took a toll on my hips and knees. I finally realized at 61 that it was time to stop and cross train more. Some other form of cardio like swimming, biking or the elliptical machine would be better. I use the bike and elliptical 6 days a week in addition to 4 days of weight training.
A bit of strength training would be a good thing as well.
Before trying any of this be sure to run it by your physician. Find a trainer if possible to get you started. Planet Fitness has trainers available as part of their membership.

[ecafdrib]

[peanuts56]

[Brad361]

[JayKosta]

Contact the local YMCA or other 'fitness center' to ask about 1-day free or fee access in order to see and try the various machines and facilities they offer.

Due to covid, now is probably a bad time for that, but hopefully things will be better by Spring.

Another type of exercise machine is a NordicTrack Ski machine.
They are often available free or very inexpensive on Craigslist ...
and that's because they do require concentration and coordination to use.
Many times they are bought because it looks 'fun & easy' - NO - they are not overly difficult or tiring, but it is exercise! Many of them quickly turn into clothes racks!

A simple at-home exercise is just using a low bench or stairway for 'step exercise'. Hold soup cans for extra upperbody conditioning.
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[peanuts56]

[ecafdrib]

thanks for the replies everyone. I am checking out a gym right here near the house that has some good equip
_________________
Trumpets are very much like jerks, they sound the best when they are muted.
______________________________
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8C2LJ_M0q8&list=PLtEjClG65CHKqJWUHEkssH9uVS8wD6opd

[ebolton]

This is one of the very few topics on TH I feel qualified to opine on. Better physical fitness makes ALL Activities of Daily Life (ADLs as they call it) easier, and that includes playing a musical instrument. Things that are easier are always done better.
_________________
-Ed

[area51recording]

I don't know.....I'm one of those guys who's weight has WILDLY fluctuated throughout my adult life (we're talking 50+ lb swings) I'm at a healthy weight now, and my bride has decided to make it her mission that I stay that way....where was I? Oh yeah....anyway, I can't really say that my playing, and the effort it takes, was essentially any different depending on which end of the yo yo I was perched on at the time. In fact, over the years I've studied with at least a couple of guys who looked like a flight of stairs taken at the wrong speed would be life threatening, who could STILL play their considerably rotund butts off.....

[kehaulani]

Home exercise devices are usually effective. Problem is, it's said that, after three months, 90% of machines become coat racks,

If you have a lot of self-discipline, great. Another incitive is to make exercise time sociable, i.e. working out at a health club, where socializing is a spin-off.

Just saying.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[spitvalve]

I think exercise definitely makes a difference. When I was playing full time I got a lot of walking and running exercise and I had a lot of wind and could easly fill my Claude Gordon Selmer with all the air it needed.

Now I'm older and out of shape and don't get much exercise, especially after our dog died and I stopped walking every night. It has definitely affected my wind. I gave the CG Selmer to my son because I just can't fill it up any more. Long tones are especially hard--the Claude Gordon exercise of holding it until the stomach shakes usually doesn't happen--instead I start wheezing and choking after about ten seconds. Some of that is due to age, but a lot if just from being overweight and out of shape.

Guess it's time to get another dog.
_________________
Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[peanuts56]

[kehaulani]

There are all kinds of reasons why an exercise program is less than it should be, but I know from personal experience, anything is better than nothing.

I have spent eons studying various systems of exercise or Martial Arts to the detriment of just picking one and making the most out pf it. (Kind'a like some people do with interne addiction vs. hitting the woodshed, LOL.).
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[peanuts56]

[Brent]

Keep yourself hydrated. I mountain bike or trail run almost daily, weather permitting. If I don't take the time to rehydrate myself after those workouts, my trumpet playing is absolutely terrible.
_________________
Brent

[peanuts56]