How to Increase Your Lung Capacity for Wind Instrument Musicians
Increase Lung Capacity for Wind Instrument
Playing a wind instrument requires continuous air flow for the production of sound which is why many professional wind instrument players practice breathing techniques that strengthen their respiratory muscles and increase their lung capacity.
In order to maximize the ease of your airflow output when playing a wind instrument you should begin with an understanding of how then breathing muscles function. You should also consider practicing diaphragmatic breathing while playing and as a breathing exercise. Lastly consider other ways to expand your lung capacity.
The diaphragm, the abdomen, and the intercostals are your primary respiratory muscles.The diaphragm is sits at the bottom of your rib cage and expands every time we inhale. This action flattens the muscle downward which creates a vacuum in the lungs expanding the belly like a balloon. As you exhale your abs and your intercostals contract and the diaphragm relaxes back into it’s natural shape.
Your abdominal muscles play a key role in the strength of your exhalation which is particularly important for wind instrument playing. Understanding how your respiratory muscles work can be key to mastering breathing techniques and improve your breathing through awareness of how the muscles work
For wind instrument musicians the goal of a breathing exercise is to be able to hold a longer exhale. Diaphragmatic breathing is one way to achieve this goal. To begin place one hand on your chest and another on your belly. Take slow relaxed breaths envisioning the the movement of your muscles. Fell you belly rise as you slowly inhale and contract as you exhale. It’s recommended to practice this technique 10 minutes daily until your able to control your breath with our focusing on the exercise.
In addition to mastering diaphragmatic breathing so you have more control over your breath you may also try other ways to expand your lung capacity. One effective method is to use a breathing resistance exerciser. The Expand-A-Lung is a fantastic option as it provides resistance on both the inhale and exhale so you are able to strengthen all the respiratory muscles (diaphragm, abdomen, and intercostals).
When using this device to improve your wind instrument technique you should pay extra focus on the exhale. Make sure you exhale is slow and continue to exhale with a resistance that is challenging but comfortable until you have release all air. You can practice breathing exercises to improve lung capacity without the assistance of a breathing resistance exerciser by inhaling slowly, holding you breath for 3 seconds, and then slowly exhaling until you are out of air. However, as there is no added resistance it is not as efficient. Think of the Expand-A-Lung as weight lifting for your respiratory muscles. The added resistance helps you strengthen your respiratory more quickly than you would without the resistance.
As a wind instrument musician taking steps towards improving your lung function may help you hold notes longer and more easily which can improve your overall form and performance
