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So as not to be hijacking anybody else's thread, I thought I'd give you a free lesson on how to give yourself a free lesson on correct breathing.

Get out of the seat you are now in, go outside, and start running.

Keep running until you are having to breathe deeply in order to meet your body's demand for air.

Heavy, deep breathing, like this is completely natural and guess what; your body knows how to do it with out any concious interference from your beautiful mind, and it is exactly what you should be doing to breathe to play tuba.

To get some visual references stand in front of a mirror while you are doing said heavy breathing and watch what is happening to your body then do the same when playing. You can also breathe through a bit of hose in your mouth to get used to the sensation of moving air through your mouth.

There are other, possibly more enjoyable, ways to cause heavy breathing.

And yes, this method was endorsed by that "dumb old tuba player" in an orchestra somewhere in the U.S. mid-west, among others.

Sound simple - well, it is.

Now that I have saved you the cost of many lessons, books, DVD's, etc. all donations will be humbly received.

Great post, I concur.

Well said!

In conjunction with your topic:

For those players who get VERY nervous before a performance...to the point of having difficulty playing well:

After this run, play your horn. Play the hardest licks you have. Right after exercise, your body outputs a feeling similar to that of anxiety. Your heart rate is up, your body is sweating, you may have a bit of dry mouth.

If you can't beat the feeling emotionaly and mentally, the least you can do is practice playing under these conditions.

Cheers

BP

Of course, the wider application of this thread is the fact that staying at least in moderately good physical condition overall helps the breathing as well. I am as guilty as anyone from moving directly from the tuba chair to the easy chair instead of getting my brass outdoors or otherwise to keep in shape.

Essentially, yes.

You will find that you are inhaling to full capacity with expansion (and contraction) throughout from the abdominal area right to the top of the chest/shoulder area.

The BIG difference to what we tend to be taught is that there is virtually no "tension" as the correct muscles are working to breathe in and the opposing, correct muscles are working to breathe out.

Tension (as in the "support from the diaphram" school of thought) is the enemy when it comes to breathing. Relaxation is our friend.