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I've never done anything just for breathing on my own.

However I have a fairly large lung capacity, Few things i think that have helped with this.

Low range practice, the lower range takes alot more air. When you can get to where u can hold out a low F, pedal Bb etc for a certain amount of time, the middle Bb will be that much easier to hold out that much longer.

One thing that I think REALLY helped me is, I swam competively(well did for 3-4yrs) which I think the tuba and swimming helped each other. In swimming I DID do lung exercies (swimming accross and back in one breath, under water back and forth.. etc etc) along with jus tholding not to mention getting in the rythm of exhale/inhale and having to hold it while you use muscles etc just builds up your lungs quite well I think. I think this was the main thing that really helped my lung capacity. As well its great exercise period.

I used to do a lot of breathing exercises with my old private teacher. It did help and it applys to a lot of other things outside of playing. Here's an example of exercises like what I did:

http://www.windsongpress.com/jacobs/Bre ... ter%20.pdf

This is just one way, there are hundreds of methods out there, this is just an example I found. You could also try emailing a brass instructor from a drum corps and see if he would send you a routine or where to find one.

Hope this gives you an idea, can't wait to see what some other people have for this one.

Ben Dennis[/list]

Find a teacher who has studied under Arnold Jacobs- Jacobs' concepts of breathing and USING that breath are incredible. If a teacher is not available , the book about his method is excellent. If memory serves me, the title of the book is, Wind and Song, and it explains many of the concepts. (But I find it easier to understand from a good teacher.) Check Brian Fredrickson's website for the book and breathing "tools" described in the book. Again, if memory serves me, Windsongpress.com is the website. Also, they are available at Baltimore Brass Co.

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As far as I undarstand it it is physically impossible to increase lung capacity. Exercising helps improve the efficincy with which you are able to use the air you do take in.

Breathing exercises for the tuba are generally meant to improve the breath control of the player. I would definately reccomend taking a few lessons with someone who studied with Jacobs. If you can't find one, I'm sure you can find somebody who studied with someone who was a student of Jacobs. (yeah, I know it may be a little distant from the original source but I have not met anyone who has been taught these techniques and did not follow them)

I've also heard good things about Pat Sheridan's breathing routine, but I'm not sure how expensive it is from his website.

I know these few things have helped my breathing and phrasing.

Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan's Breathing Gym. I picked up the book and DVD for around 50 bucks.

The next item I found helpful was Wesley Jacobs book of low register studies.

and finally Reginald H. Fink* Studies in Legato for bass trombone and tuba.

Here is the advice that I know works: exercise (walking jogging swimming), daily practice (2 hour minimum) and NO SMOKING (that is if you smoke).



* isn't that a funny last name

this exercise will make you pass out...so have a chair near by. I learned this from a master class by Don Lucas, while studying in Tanglewood for the summer. Get a small piece of pvc pipe, one that you can stick a quarter in or so...about that big. The point of it is to open up your airway properly. Turn your metronome on to about 80, and every cycle, you want to breath COMPLETLEY out, and COMPLETLEY in, as much as you can.
in for 4-out for 8 (2xs)
in for 4-out for 4 (2xs)
in for 2-out for 4(4xs)
in for 2-out for 2(4xs)
in for 1-out for 2(4xs)
in for 1-out for 1...till a litle dizzy(the chair is your friend!)
in for 1-out for 30.

this exercise...if done everyday for about a week or so...will provide great results...you will be amazed at what 5 minutes of your time will do to your playing. Try it.

I just love this thread.

The following is not MY idea, it was given to me by a generous pro tubist who took the time to give me a lesson.
I try to improve breath control by "planning" my breaths.
On a set meter (Metronome, or, while jogging, my steps)
I ´ll think how many strokes / steps I want to in- or exhale. I I try to keep a steady airflow and completely fill or empty my lungs, no matter how much time I grant myself to do so.
(I guess I´ll need a breathing device to visualise that air flow to not cheat myself, though).
Doing this while I run in the woods and mountains (thus concentrating on not tripping over rocks or roots), I hope to turn conscious breath control into something that works all by itself.
Something that worked on the equipment side: A tuba stand and a bar stool so I can almost stand upright while practising. This gives ample space for your diaphragm to push down/aside all those intestines and gave me those extra cubic inches of air that I needed for "Der Traum Des Oenghus".

Hans

Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan's Breathing Gym


Just a word of caution, I went to a breathing gym clinic, met with and spoke to Pat Sheridan (who, by the way, is a really nice guy) and it helped my use of breath. One word of caution...I was doing some of the breathing gym techniques with my students, they got it and it felt like a warm, windy day right in my face. The next day I had pneumonia and I'm still trying to recover (that is the second time this year).

So...be careful.

i do the breathing gym dvd once every week and this has greatly improved my breath support and conrtol (and gives ya a nice buzz) i would highly suggest this. i can't do anything but speak good about the book and dvd. tis like a video bible.

Euphoniumdude,
I was always did them before I practiced, I always thought it was a good warm-up and did a very compressed less strained version before performances.

Ben

Tabor wrote:I was doing some of the breathing gym techniques with my students, they got it and it felt like a warm, windy day right in my face. The next day I had pneumonia and I'm still trying to recover (that is the second time this year).

Which is why it's probably better to teach it to outdoor ensembles (should've asked Sheridan what he was doing in Denver last August ).

Just the thing for kickstarting their playing again in band camp.