We play a wind instrument, more specifically a brasswind instrument. The more air we can use while playing, the more vibrant our tone becomes and usually this makes playing easier. So, when we play our instrument, we must inhale a much higher volume of air than we normally need for day to day living. This movement of air must stay as relaxed as possible and have a free and fluid movement. When breathing, try to move as much air with as little restriction as possible. Think of a yawn, saying the word "home" while inhaling or strive to feel a cool spot on the back of the throat when inhaling and then EXHALE and use all that air while playing!

Try the following exercises to expand and improve your breathing:

1. Torso Stretch: Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart; raise your hands directly over your head and stretch. You should feel like your hands are holding up the ceiling and your feet are digging into the ground.
2. The Flop Over: While standing, bend at the waist and touch your toes. Breathe vigorously so that your inhalations force your torso to raise and fall. Repeat several times, you should feel expansion in your lungs. Be sure to return to upright slowly.
3. Flow Study #1: Turn on a metronome and set it at 60 beats per minute. While standing, inhale for 6 beats and exhale for 6 beats. Use all 6 beats to inhale and exhale. Use your arms to time your breaths. So, your hands should be at your sides when you begin, as you inhale your arms should rise so that once you are full of air, your arms should be above your head. This means that your arms should be parallel with the floor at about half full (or beat 3). This stretches your torso to allow you to fill to maximum capacity while helping you time your breaths. Repeat this study using 7, 8, 9 and 10 beats to inhale and exhale.
4. Expansion Study: Keep the metronome set at 60. Inhale for 5 beats so that you are comfortably full. Continue "sipping" air for the next 15 beats (really expand past your comfort zone!) then exhale slowly for the next 5 beats until you are completely empty.
5. Compression Study: Keep the metronome set at 60. Inhale for 1 beat quickly so that you are completely full, take two more expansion breaths past full on beats 2 and 3. Now exhale until comfortably empty on the next beat and use the next 2 beats to compress to completely empty. So over the course of 6 beats: fill-expand-expand : empty-compress-compress.
6. Flow Study #2: Keep the metronome set at 60. Inhale for 4 beats and exhale for 4 beats. Repeat this 4 times. Inhale for 3 beats and exhale for 3 beats. Repeat this 4 times. Inhale for 2 beats and exhale for 2 beats. Repeat 4 times. Inhale for 1 beat and exhale for 1 beat. Repeat 4 times. Or:

   4 beats inhale/exhale X4
   3 beats inhale/exhale X4
   2 beats inhale/exhale X4
   1 beat inhale/exhale X4

   Do this study continuously without breaks. Be sure to use all 4 beats to inhale and all 4 beats to exhale at first. As the study progresses, be sure that the quantity of air remains the same so that even though there is less time to inhale, the same quantity of air is still being moved. It is very likely that this study will make you feel lightheaded, this is normal. Relax and slow the pace as needed at first. After finished this study, follow up with some playing and notice the difference!