Exhalation

[mceuph]

Is the problem more physical or mental?

[iiipopes]

When you breathe in, do it with the same feeling as if you were getting ready to yawn, so that your upper body will be relaxed. A lot of people try to expand their chest cavity for a large breath, and all it does is tense every muscle counter to exhaling. If you gut does not expand, you're not doing it right. You may have to loosen your belt.

[TUBAMUSICIAN87]

I am currently having the same issue. buzzing on the mouthpiece helps alot, take a big breath and just release all the air buzzing a tone, it should only last about a second to be rid of all your air if your throat is completely open. and another thing to try when buzzing (its feels weird but its a good way to check for an open throat) is put your hand on your neck and when you buzz you should be able to feel you larynx(addams apple) move down. another thing that helps, with buzzing again, is to put your hand on your chest and buzz and you should be able to feel a resonance, if not move your hand up until you do feel a resonance then work on making it lower. good luck and BUZZ

[brianf]

If I were at Northwestern and had a question like this, I would ask Rex Martin rather than this list! He's pretty good at this stuff.

[brianf]

Your throat is probably closing up because it is triggering Valsalva. This can be complicated to solve, wait until fall and let Rex work with you, this is not something you ask for advice on an internet list.

[adam0408]

Without hearing you play, and seeing you breathe, it is very difficult to figure out whats going on, but I will give you some advice that has helped me that esteemed teachers have told me. Also keep in mind that this is how I approach the issue of breathing, am still working on it, and it may not work at all for you.

Although a problem like this can be really difficult to solve, keep in mind that it is usually NOT a physical problem, but a mental problem. You just have to approach breathing differently. A mental change can often effect physical change without too much trouble.

What you are doing is probably "chest breathing." This is what apparently a common problem for people who have not been told otherwise. It isnt really a very natural and comfortable option, but it makes your stomach look flatter when you are just breathing away from your instrument.......

Anyway, things to do: Make sure your shoulders do not move up when you breathe until the very end, and then they should only move up VERY slightly if at all. If your shoulders move more than, say, a half inch to an inch you will be doing strange things to your air supply.

A reason not to raise your shoulders when breathing told to me by Steve Campbell: When you raise your shoulders essentially what happens is your lower back also moves, constricting the lower lungs a little bit and making your diaphragm move up somewhat. The result of this is that instead of increasing lung capacity as your intent is in this excersize, lung capacity is decreased.

Raising your shoulders also imparts tension, which may be a contributing factor to your issue.

Breathe so that you stick your abdomen out as far as possible. However, just do this so that you know what it feels like. I dont think it is ever really adviseable to do this while you are playing because it too creates tension. Try to recreate this, staying as relaxed as possible. Don't go so far as to make yourself uncomfortable.

When air exits your body, try positioning the throat thusly:

Imagine yourself trying to swallow a cue ball. Think about how big your throat would have to be to accomplish that. The yawn idea is a great one too, and accomplishes the same result.

Another way of thinking about it is much more simple: Think of a syllable when you are breathing in. A closed throat will need to have a syllable like "heek" and an open throat should have a really low "Whoa" syllable. Don't say these things as you are breathing in, just think them, and your throat should respond. Open your throat as much as possible with the whoa sound while staying relaxed.

Also, take as many variables out of your playing as possible. Find a chair that you really like that puts you at an acceptable distance from your instrument and allows you to have good posture, buy a tuba stand (or make one), and always approach the instrument in the same (healthy and correct please) way.

An interesting thing to note: The way you breathe in has a direct effect on the way that you breathe out.