| Good Posture: Improving Tone Quality for Brass | | | | the rib-cage. |
| Players | | | | To enable a brass player to improve their tone |
| It is commonly known amongst players of brass | | | | and level of competency, the development of |
| instruments that controlled “support” for | | | | good posture when either standing or sitting is of |
| breathing leads to better tone quality, something | | | | paramount importance. If the player slouches, |
| that every musician aims to achieve regardless of | | | | whether when sitting or standing, the body forms |
| their performance level. | | | | a rigid position and the lungs, diaphragm and |
| The question that has to be asked is: “Where | | | | intercostals muscles cannot function in their most |
| does this support come from and how can it be | | | | efficient way. When standing the player should |
| maintained day to day, particularly when playing in | | | | avoid tensing the chest and abdominal areas as |
| a sitting position?” | | | | this reduces the air capacity of the lungs. When |
| To answer this we must firstly consider what | | | | sitting the brass player should ensure that their |
| breath control is and which muscle groups are | | | | back does not touch the back of the chair, their |
| responsible for this: | | | | feet should be flat on the floor and the spine |
| Effective breath control comes about by the | | | | should be upright, something that can be assisted |
| balance between inhalation and exhalation. When a | | | | by the use of a slim-line seat wedge, creating an |
| player inhales through the mouth, the glottis | | | | appropriate forward tilt on the hips. Clearly good |
| should be open, the tongue should be down and | | | | breath control is assisted by much more than just |
| out of the way ensuring that the incoming air can | | | | strong intercostals muscles and muscles around |
| take the path of least resistance. Inhalation should | | | | the ribs but also from having good core body |
| be rapid and relies upon the effective | | | | strength, something that can be developed |
| simultaneous contraction of the diaphragm and | | | | through a series of home exercises. For a |
| intercostals muscles. If this is working effectively | | | | comprehensive list of Breathing Exercises for |
| the player should feel that their lungs are filling up | | | | Brass Players visit the link below to |
| from the bottom to the top. Following inhalation, | | | | windsongpress. |
| exhalation should follow immediately, the brass | | | | |
| player projecting the air into the instrument in a | | | | Exercises used to strengthen the core muscles |
| steady column in order to produce an unwavering | | | | include those using Medicine Balls, Kettleballs, |
| tone. This is brought about by the player relaxing | | | | Stability Balls, Balance Products such as the Bosu |
| the diaphragm and intercostals muscles in a | | | | Ball, balance boards and wobble boards. |
| controlled manner, controlling the speed at which | | | | Product Help Clinic: |
| the air column is released, regulating the volume | | | | View a full range of seat wedges at on-line |
| of tone and the speed of vibration of the lips. | | | | Physiotherapy Supplies: Direct to the Public and |
| However it is worth noting that that the | | | | Practitioner. |
| diaphragm can only fill the lungs to about 75% | | | | Disclaimer: Professional independent medical advice |
| capacity, the remaining “fill” is brought | | | | should be taken before acting on any of the |
| about by additional use of muscles that surround | | | | information given in this article. |