Devices for improved breathing

[phmurphy1]

What devices have you found useful for improving breathing skills? Bag? Volumetric exerciser? BreathBuilder? Something else?

Thanks

[bloke]

> refrigerator locks

> a shock collar that go off if I try to go down the cereal, cookies, candy, bread, ice cream, baking supplies, and pastry aisles (among other aisles)

[Phil Dawson]

Breathing Gym DVDs and hard work

[bloke]

It seems as though (today) if someone is not degreed, certified, licensed, peer-reviewed, bonded, they're not allowed to express opinions on anything (maybe not even the weather...??)
...but - most anything that that involves extended vigorous exercise seems to naturally cause me to breathe deeply.
I'm not sure that "running" is a particularly good idea for everyone, particularly as it's possibly hard on older people's feet/knees/hips. Likely (with today's epidemic of obesity), it's probably also not a good idea for people whose size has expanded to 50% - 100% more than their circulatory and pulmonary systems were designed to support.

Deep breathing is not always necessary when playing the tuba (and I don't always take in as much as as possible, when playing, as I tend to take in enough-and-then-some as is required to play the next phrase or sounds-grouping), but really deep breathing does prove pretty handy, quite often.
The more accustomed a person is to breathing deeply (it seems to me) the easier it is for them to do it when they are NOT triggered to do so by their body needing more oxygen (ie. when they are not vigorously exercising, and when they are sitting still playing, and with no huge adrenal release, etc.)

summary:
Deep breathing occurs naturally (at least, with me), during extended vigorous exercise. If a person is able to engage in some sort of extended vigorous exercise, their breathing (during that type of exercise) will mimic the maximum intake that is called for to play the longest (or loudest...or both) phrases...so - rather than learning "breathing techniques" from others, (maybe...??) just pay attention to what happens naturally, and mimic that type of very deep breathing, if/when it is needed - when playing music.

<sidebar>
There is also the issue of the "efficient" use of the air that is available (however much air that may be).
This is why embouchure development - with the goal being producing the most beautiful and resonant sounds - is extremely important. The nicer and more efficiently the embouchure resonates, the less air is required to "run" it.
To me, it's just as important (if not more so) than "air", and "embouchure development" (these days, in relation to tuba-playing) seems to be discussed very little - when compared to the emphasis that "air" receives (in relation to tuba playing). That having been said, "embouchure development" is NOT a "quick-fix", and quick fixes are what are sought (in regards to just about everything, yes?)
</sidebar>

[Doc]

> refrigerator locks

Truth^^^

> a shock collar that go off if I try to go down the cereal, cookies, candy, bread, ice cream, baking supplies, and pastry aisles (among other aisles)

Those aren't my affliction, and I rarely, if ever, partake. Neither are sodas (haven't had one in 20 years). Potatoes, gravy, and other savory, starchy stuff is what does it to me. And I have to consume nearly zero amounts of those foods just to maintain. I used to have a few beers per week, but that is now relegated to rare occasions/events. Even so, I still haven't been maintaining very well, and my breathing is affected accordingly. It's not anything like when I was younger and healthier. I finally got pissed off enough that I'm doing something about it. I would appreciate your prayers for my success.

[Doc]

<sidebar>
There is also the issue of the "efficient" use of the air that is available (however much air that may be).
This is why embouchure development - with the goal being producing the most beautiful and resonant sounds - is extremely important. The nicer and more efficiently the embouchure resonates, the less air is required to "run" it.
To me, it's just as important (if not more so) than "air", and "embouchure development" (these days, in relation to tuba-playing) seems to be discussed very little - when compared to the emphasis that "air" receives (in relation to tuba playing). That having been said, "embouchure development" is NOT a "quick-fix", and quick fixes are what are sought (in regards to just about everything, yes?)
</sidebar>

Efficient use of air makes a huge difference (IMHO), and that definitely requires putting in some time to develop.

The area where my efficiency tends to suck the most and needs more attention is in soft playing, particularly long tones. It just takes practice and attention.

I have wanted to try the breathing gym to try and maximize what I can do with intake, flow, capacity, etc., but the best thing I could to is to lose a bunch of pounds. Of course, I could do both.

[Three Valves]

Last night I put cookies in my ice cream.

[Three Valves]

It's not anything like when I was younger and healthier.

[bloke]

I would appreciate your prayers for my success.

prayers, karma, strength, and all the very best for you, Mr. Bill.

Obesity (and all of the illnesses it causes) has surely replaced smoking (and all of the illnesses it causes) as America's #1 epidemic.
I was previously (in my estimation) about 50% too large...and I am way too old to be that much too large.

When someone (deemed newsworthy and/or fright-elevating-worthy by the media...ie. "young age" or "prominent person") dies of COVID (and their picture is actually shown in a news article) they are often quite large.
Of course, pointing this out causes people to become angry...but - when this discussed in "general" terms - everyone seems to agree...

' funny how people are...

bloke "When speaking on individual/specific terms, we're only supposed to be sympathetic (well, frightened too...per above), but are not supposed to learn anything from what we witness, I suppose...(??)"

[matt g]

It's not anything like when I was younger and healthier.

Assuming the implication here...

@bloke’s advice rings true here also. Weight loss and cardio health impact nearly every aspect of human performance.

Weight loss is huge, simply because your lungs and heart are of a somewhat fixed capacity, so reducing the amount of work they have to do normally increases what they can support for things like playing.

There are great cardio options, specifically HIIT, for the general population. Using something like a rower or Airdyne doesn’t place a tremendous strain on the joints but offers good work for the lungs and heart. It takes about 20 minutes and is scalable.

For you younger players out there, take note of a lot of the big name tuba players currently at their primes. These are some healthy people, doing various cardio and strength exercise. This is an aspect of playing that often gets overlooked.

[Stryk]

A tuba.

[Doc]

It's not anything like when I was younger and healthier.

Thankfully, I don't have any serious issues or problems outside of just being a big fat lard @$$. But that alone is a huge magnifying glass on otherwise small issues (and major ones) that may crop up, especially as age comes into play, hence my need to grow up and stop being a moron with my health.

prayers, karma, strength, and all the very best for you, Mr. Bill.

Thank you!

Obesity (and all of the illnesses it causes) has surely replaced smoking (and all of the illnesses it causes) as America's #1 epidemic. I was previously (in my estimation) about 50% too large...and I am way too old to be that much too large.

We are a fat nation promoting the consumption of convenient garbage that makes us fatter. I'm inspired by your dedication to drop those pounds. I know you feel better.

When someone (deemed newsworthy and/or fright-elevating-worthy by the media...ie. "young age" or "prominent person") dies of COVID (and their picture is actually shown in a news article) they are often quite large.
Of course, pointing this out causes people to become angry...but - when this discussed in "general" terms - everyone seems to agree...

' funny how people are...

bloke "When speaking on individual/specific terms, we're only supposed to be sympathetic (well, frightened too...per above), but are not supposed to learn anything from what we witness, I suppose...(??)"

All true. I'm neither young nor prominent, and I don't have COVID, but I'm waaaaaaay overweight and can talk about it factually without butthurt or offense. People getting offended by pointing out the most widespread (and obvious) comorbidity is pathetic and helps no one.

A tuba.

I have 4 plus a euphonium. Would more help?

Doc (who doesn't need an excuse to acquire more tubas, but excuses are welcomed)

[sdloveless]

What devices have you found useful for improving breathing skills? Bag? Volumetric exerciser? BreathBuilder? Something else?

Thanks

The gentleman I'm taking private lessons from, Grant Moore, has me working with a mouthpiece and a sheet of paper. Either held out at arm's length, or taped to a music stand. Anyway, I'm directing air at it with different pitches, trying to get it to move. It seems to be helpful so far, but I have no way of comparing it to any of the other things you mentioned.

[JESimmons]

Nancy Hogshead and Mike Gminski were Olympic gold medal winners who had asthma. They wrote a book with aides to breathing. One was to take brisk walks breathing in five steps and out three. I posted this to an old forum, and Doug Elliot pointed out that the pattern is not how we breathe when playing. I switched over to breathing in two steps and out six through pursed lips. It seems to help strengthen the breathing muscles, plus it combines the exercise of brisk walking.