LONG
TONES AND BREATHING:
The previous principles should produce a pitch
in the middle of the trumpet range (C) from where
flexibility up and down should come quite easily and quickly.
Breath Control:
Blowing air through the trumpet is a fundamental requirement to making
a sound. Inhaling air fully into the lungs is a basic necessity. One cannot
happen without the other!
How do we inhale?
The lungs are filled while the trumpet is still within the constrains of
the embouchure. The player simply lowers (or opens) the jaw sufficiently
which automatically allows air in through the lower corners of the mouth.
Air is not taken through the mouthpiece nor is there a smiling action which
spreads the lips towards the cheeks. The embouchure remains intact throughout
this quick and simple movement. Both lips must stay in the playing position.
How much air
should we inhale?
It is important to 'suck' air to the lowest regions of the lungs. The lungs
are pear shaped and need to be used in their entirety hence we should not
inhale by raising the shoulders. Nor is it necessary to over-fill or take
in any more air than is necessary to play the following note or phrase.
The oxygenation process continues while inhaling through the mouth and
exhaling through the trumpet.
How do I blow
the air through the trumpet?
Teachers speak of having good 'breath support'. What they actually mean
is the power and speed at which the air can be blown out through the trumpet.
It is very similar to the action used when 'huffing' on a cold window-
pane. This expiratory movement is controlled by the abdominal muscles forcing
the diaphragm upwards thus causing air to be forced out.
At what speed
should I blow the air out?
The circular 'iris' type aperture in the lip causes some resistance to the
flow of air. A low note needs a larger aperture and therefore causes less
resistance. A high note is played with a smaller aperture compression which
needs greater air speed to get through the increased resistance. The air
'force' is controlled by the player. It is not unlike blowing out a candle
which needs little air-speed. A candle moved further away needs a faster
speed caused by greater force.
Playing long
tones:
Play long notes with full breaths until this first
note is comfortable and clear. When
the air supply has ended, remain relaxed and inhale fully towards the abdomen.
Replay the same note.
Introduce some dynamic contrast into the long
notes. Start pp (very soft) and increase to ff (very loud) over
the whole duration of the note. Start the next note very loud and decrease to pp.
Keep repeating this until the note (C) is very
clear, relaxed and well controlled before going on to
improve your Lip
Flexibility.
