[TPIN] air support on trumpet

[Daniel,John]

I guess that sounded kind of harsh, sorry.
"Valsalva" maneuver is performed naturally from time to 
time during bowel movements and childbirth.  It happens 
when we aren't moving any air, so it isn't something a 
wind player uses while playing.  Jacobs talked about the 
valsalva maneuver to describe the tendency of the throat 
to stay shut against blowing pressure to point out that it 
is a SEMIINVOLUNTARY BODILY FUNCTION.  It isn't something 
you can control and use successfully as a trumpet player.

But seriously, Barbara Carnoble's books on the Alexander 
Technique are the best ones to learn about breathing.  The 
information for singers that she gives is very helpful.
Best of luck and since I'm off to a funeral I won't be 
part of this discussion, but I do hope it is a good one,
John




> Bryan,
> The best thing you can do for yourself at this point is 
>to understand that you are just about totally confused.
> John
> 
> 
> On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:46:47 -0400
>  weaselman1 at aol.com wrote:
>> Hello list:
>> 
>> I would like to know some different opinions about air 
>>support on the trumpet.? What I am most interested in is 
>>what is happening in the abdomen.? For example, singers 
>>do what is called the "valsalva maneuver."? To feel what 
>>is happen in the abdomen during this, hold your nose shut 
>>with your fingers and, keeping your mouth shut, blow.? 
>>Your abdomen should push outward slightly, and you should 
>>get the same effect in the lower back.
>> 
>> While opera singers use this for air support, other 
>>instrumentalists have adopted a similar approach.? The 
>>only ones I know who attempt to play this way constantly 
>>are woodwind players, especially clarinetists.? The only 
>>time I have heard it applied to trumpet is by a few 
>>players who say to push your abdomen outward when 
>>descending.? What this does is returns your abdomen to a 
>>more-relaxed position so you don't get "locked-in" to 
>>"high-note air speed."? In this method, the abdomen goes 
>>inward when ascending to the highest notes.
>> 
>> However, I have had some success with using the valsalva 
>>maneuver all the way up to high F, even on piccolo 
>>trumpet.? The advantages for me are bigger sound, tone 
>>matching better throughout registers and dynamics, easier 
>>flexibility (especially descending slurs), and the 
>>feeling of using less tension for high notes.? I have not 
>>been able to use valsalva constantly.
>> 
>> I am wondering if anybody on the list has experience 
>>playing this way or experience being taught this way, 
>>etc.? Also, if anybody has any information on brass 
>>players who may have played this way, that would be great 
>>(as much as Arnold Jacobs talks about wind, I have not 
>>come across one of his teachings that addresses the 
>>abdomen).
>> 
>> Thank you much for your help. 
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Bryan
>> 
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