breathe training devices

[The Impaler]

I have an ultrabreathe, and I like using it - every once in a while. The first thing you must understand is that it will not increase lung capacity, only flexibility, which is a very desirable outcome. I've found that using the Sheridan-Pilafian Breathing Gym gives me quite a better workout, but as far as breathing devices go, I like the ultrabreathe and still use it. Relatively inexpensive (I got mine off eBay a few years ago) and, for me, worth the money. Hope this helps.

[tubajoe]

A colleage of mine recently gave me an Ultrabreathe -- as they are all the rage. I was curious about it due to all the buzz about them, but was quite disappointed in what it acutally is. It is basically the same as a very small Breath Builder, but you cant see the ping pong ball.

The problem with the Ultrabreathe is that it does not give any type of visual representation, and that is what we need.

It is physically impossible to accurately feel how you breathe, so I believe it is good to use devices that have an aspect of visual feedback to accurately gauge what is happening.

The Ultrabreathe seems to highlight the use of pressure - which is exactly what we want to keep to a minimum as brass players. Most players have MORE than enough pressure. It is the sheer quantity that we want to maximize -- the body, nor the Ultrabreathe has an accurate way of measuring or visualizing this.

I think it is better to use a Breath Builder, (and a Voldyne & Inspiron if you want) but mostly a good ol medical breathing bag -- as they give the essential visual feedback which the Ultrabreathe does not.

[tubeast]

I´d say there are very natural ways to train your body to breathe more efficiently, and to me personally a few simple methods that don´t employ an array of gadgets are doing the job: "target breathing", jogging or biking with emphasis on breathing rhythm, simply sitting there and concentrating on breathing the way it´s done with yoga or, to give breathing muscles a workout, breathing through my fist are simple techniques that work well and can be carried out anywhere I go. A lot of this has to do with concepts and ideas that need to be formulated in your mind.
The main problem I´m still trying to solve is how to let air FALL in and out of my body like water coming out of a huge, bursting aquarium.

Chris, BTW, if you want to improve on circular breathing: this is much easier with high air resistance. Your band´s oboe player does it all the time to GET RID of air that´s not needed for making music, and it´s not hard at all on an oboe. So why don´t you find yourself a straw to practise on. You want to make sure you keep a steady air flow while you switch from "bagpipe mode" back to the lung exhalation. Once you figured out the mechanics involved, cut the straw shorter to decrease that resistance. Once you can do it with no straw at all it´s time to practise it on the horn.
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