Weight vs good playing

[Trumpetstud]

I was told heavier players can play better that lighter weight players. Any validity to that?

[kehaulani]

You're kidding, right?
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[tomba51]

Bobby Shew & Al Hirt - Larger players
Doc Severinsen & Allan Vizzutti - Slender players

You can find countless other examples of excellent players who are either large or small.
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Tom Barreca

[Steve A]

[huntman10]

[trpthrld]

Two extremes:

Al Hirt
Lynn Nicholson

Just sayin', ya know?
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Tim Wendt

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[Billy B]

no
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Bill Bergren

[JoseLindE4]

I lost about 50 pounds a few years ago. Playing (as well as everything else in life) is much easier now that I’m not overweight. Good health makes the trumpet easier.

[area51recording]

I don't know.....In my adult life I've been as heavy as 230 lbs, as skinny as 155....(I weigh about 185 now) and my playing has sucked at both of those extremes.....come to think of it, everywhere in between as well.....fat is just....well.....FAT. How in EARTH could it make you play better?

[dbacon]

DB

[dstpt]

I've never associated weight with making a player better, but I have noticed those with a more, what I call, Germanic-Scandinavian facial structure and/or larger lung capacity seeming to have some advantages, especially in producing huge orchestral sounds in fff passages. Bud Herseth and Phil Smith have always struck me as having that kind of jaw structure. I've played with some guys who obviously had bigger lungs than most and who seemed to last longer and their sound carry farther.*

But then I turn around and look at Tom Hooten and Jim Wilk in the LA Phil and think, "Well, that reasoning don't fit!"

(*Oh, and the "large jaw structure" thing was pointed out to me years ago...by a tuba player...since I had a skinny face. I've always wondered if he was trying to tell me something....)

[AndyDavids]

Muscle weighs more than fat...just saying

[Jim19043]

I view weight and BMI and muscle mass and body structure as just some of the factors that may go into being a better wind player. There are numerous examples of trumpet players who had serious health problems, including obesity, drug use, and even tuberculosis, but who played and performed and recorded beautifully. Then, there are disabled persons who overcome their physical limitations and achieve greatness. I think it's essential to factor into the assessment the individual's drive, self-discipline, and commitment to music. Not to mention talent, training, and opportunities to play with excellent musicians.
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Jim19043
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[Sonic52]

It depends on whether you carry your extra weight in your mouthpiece or your valve caps.

[Jaw04]

It is important for players that have any doubts about their physical makeup to never forget:

Obese, skinny, male, female, small, tall, short, straight teeth, crooked teeth, narrow mouth, wide mouth, underbite, overbite, black, white, asian, all races, small lips, big lips... there is an example of every type of human reaching the highest level of playing.

[Brad361]

[Seymor B Fudd]

They may have a fat sound.
But beware if they are the ones "stamping in" the band.

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[peanuts56]

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