Breathing

MT VERNON BACH · Regular Member Joined: 19 Oct 2002 Posts: 85

In the notes (apparently) taken from a student of Bud, the point is made to say "ho" while inhaling. I found this very helpful when breathing deeply, but I do not know how to apply this in a playing situation. It seems as if I must completely remove the mouthpiece from my lips to breath like this, which makes playing...mmm...difficult. Any suggestions?

_Don Herman · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:31 pm Post subject:

Just think it, and it'll help, even when you can't take the mpc off your chops. It's sort of a mnemonic for getting in a big breath, at least for me.

FWIW, my teacher also emphasizes getting to the body of the note, so an attack becomes "tOH" rather than "TOH".
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Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

MT VERNON BACH · Regular Member Joined: 19 Oct 2002 Posts: 85

So there's no way of actually using this method when playing? Are there any other devices you've found useful to help make a conscious effort to breath more deeply?

allofyougetalife · Veteran Member Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 207

try it with the mouthpiece away from your chops - be aware of the feeling and sensation in your throat. Now put the mouthpeice to your chops and recreate this feeling while breathing thru your corners.

AOYGAL

Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Sat May 31, 2003 12:46 pm Post subject:

I'll second that. Even though your lips are saying "EEE", the rest of your breathing apparatus should be saying "HO".

fuzzyjon79 · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 2:27 am Post subject:

Yea, I've noticed that it's hard to breath incorrectly when you say "ho" while inhaling, that way you can play more efficiently. Bud was the man! Well.. he still is... Sitting in the CSO for 50+ years is quite impressive to say the very least...
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J. Fowler
"It takes a big ole' sack of flour, to make a big ole' pan of biscuits!"

mcstock · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 5:11 pm Post subject:

Boyd Hood has a nice article describing the approach to breathing he got from studying with Herseth in the issue of Windplayer with Herb Alpert on the cover. The complete citation: "The Natural Breath," by Boyde Hood. WIndplayer, number 64, page 39. If you don't have it, rather than buying the back issue ask your library about getting a copy on Interlibrary Loan -- normally takes a week or so.

Best wishes,
Matt

_Don Herman · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 7:43 pm Post subject:

The latest ITG Journal (June 2003) has a nice article which addresses many of these same issues. There's also a nice exercise in the Youth Edition. "Who" and "how" are also suggested for breathing big and relaxed, keeping the tongue low.

FWIW, I had posted a response which was lost a few months back when the forum went through some web-server turmoil. Of course, I have no idea now what I said then...

Thanks for your contributions, people! - Don
_________________
Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

MarchardFerguson · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 5:05 pm Post subject:

Its just an image to help to take in more breath, you don't breatqh exactly like this is in an actually playing situation

_Don Herman · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 5:52 am Post subject:

Hmmm.... I try to, anyway (breath like that while playing). I find the concept helps form my chops/cheeks better, and take in more air, quicker. My teacher works with me quite a bit on this to make it more natural. He's a great player, principal of the local symphony, Jacob's student, etc. He says he uses it, but I don't have an exhaustive list of players for comparison.

I also think a number of beneficial exercises are meant to exaggerate things so at least part of it carries over to the horn, fwiw. - Don
_________________
Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

thelurker · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 257

[ This Message was edited by: thelurker on 2003-10-12 07:43 ]

trumpetfox1234 · Regular Member Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 61

I was Arnold's student from 1994 until the end and I wrote a book about how Bud, he, and Scarlett play. Yes, Arnold did talk a lot about breathing but it was much more than that. Breathing was only a small part of it, although a crucial part.

Bud, Scarlett, and Arnold Jacobs' son love my new book that talks about how they play. Bud and Scarlett reviewed the
book favorably and Dallas Jacobs, Arnold's son, gave it his blessing. Bud told me on my porch that "he learned a few things from it.", and Will Scarlett said that "your book continues Arnold Jacobs' work."

If you want to check it out, the website is: http://www.trumpetworkspress.com

The book's title is:

Stage Fright in Music Performance and Its Relationship to the Unconscious, 2nd ed.

I will be talking about the book on the BBC on the BBC World Service on February 24th on the show "Music Review"

I wrote it to pay tribute to these great men who are my teachers and to help people with stage fright problems and to also reassure those who don't have any!
_________________
Michael I. Goode
Author
Stage Fright in Music Performance and Its Relationship to the Unconscious, 2nd ed.
Assistant Principal/Third Trumpet
Ravinia Festival Orchestra
www.trumpetworkspress.com

Ruechel · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:02 am Post subject:

you really must stop using this website as your personal marketing forum for your book. it's a bit sleazy.

GrumpyPe0n · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 635

I think i read somewhere...try putting a paper towel roll in your mouth..breathe in...thats what it should feel like everytime you breathe. That is what perfect breathing is like.

Nails · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject:

I have always used the rule of thumb that you should not make any loud breathing sounds as you inhale. It should feel like the wind is falling into your lungs with no restriction.

Nathan

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

Perfect Breathing....is when you don't notice it, only the music.

senea · Veteran Member Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 131

I like to play with warm air - first fog a mirror, then fog a mirror through an embouchure. That'll keep the lips on the mouthpiece.

To breathe I do the reverse, so that the quality of air in the breath is consistent with the quality of air in the sound. The less I change between the inhale and exhale, the more consistent and relaxed I am as a player.

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

If the sound of the breath is right, the breath is right.

_Don Herman · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:44 pm Post subject:

Can you describe the sound of a "right" breath? Tnx! - Don
_________________
Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

"HOH." The sound the air makes as you inhale.

If you hear a hissing sound, it's friction caused by the tongue being up and in the way diffusing the inhale. Tight sound, tight inhale, tight exhale.

Also a good inhale gives you a coolness and dryness on the back of your throat. Air temp and dry air from outside coming in without the tongue in the way to warm it up and add moisture.

HOH-TOH for inhale right on with the attack.