Mystery to Mastery - Performance

What is Natural Airflow?

Natural Airflow is the unforced movement of air. Most problems on the trumpet are caused by inefficient use of air which leads to over exertion of the embouchure muscles and your abdominal air support muscles.

There are two types of airflow:

1. Natural/Passive Airflow - unforced air leaving the body due to the equalisation of air pressure inside and outside of the body.

2. Supported/Active Airflow - where the abdominal muscles are used to push the diaphragm upwards into the lung sac increasing air pressure in the lungs.

What percentage of all trumpet players in the world can actually play the way that they want to? Why are people constantly looking for answers on how to play better? Why is range always an issue? The answer to all of these questions is that the trumpet (really just a fancy bit of pipe) is not an instrument that is natural to play.

Firstly, let’s re-establish that blowing faster increases volume not range! The Aperture Posture must become firmer to play higher. The added support you feel from your abdominal muscles is purely for volume purposes. You can slur two octaves without changing the intensity of the blow and the notes will get higher but much softer very quickly. To keep the dynamic level consistent, faster air is required as you ascend.

How can I experience Natural Airflow?

Take a deep breath and sigh out loud. An even better example is a yawn. Imagine a balloon filling up inside your rib cage as you fill your lungs. The air inside the balloon (your lungs) is now under higher pressure than atmospheric pressure therefore due to laws of equalization, the air must come out!

Let’s imagine a line of equalization; that is atmospheric pressure. Above the line of equalization is higher than atmospheric pressure and below the line is lower than atmospheric pressure.

HIGH AIR PRESSURE (Full Breath)

————————————— Line of equalization – ATMOSHPHERIC PRESSURE

LOW AIR PRESSURE (Empty Lungs)

Playing the trumpet is a co-ordination or balance between two main functions:

AIR and APERTURE

Only a perfect balance between these two functions will allow a perfect sound.

The most common problem with most players is that the Lip Aperture is too tight, so to keep vibration happening, air must be forced with the abdominals which creates all kinds of tension issues all the way back from the lips into the throat, chest and shoulders.

Would you ever sing with so much strain in the body?

How is the aperture going to vibrate effectively if it is being pinched?

The abdomen and throat are locking and pushing against each other – the valsalva maneuver. This scenario is the complete opposite of Natural Airflow.

Natural Airflow happens when wind from a Trumpet Breath passes through a relaxed throat (imagine fogging up a mirror), through the oral cavity on to a relaxed Lip Aperture that can vibrate easily (imagine that there is a tiny, delicate feather between your lips that you are gently blowing).

How do I find the line of equalization?

Take a full breath like you are about to jump into a freezing pool. Now pretend you are blowing out a candle but do not push the air with your abdominals. The air will stop flowing when the pressure in your lungs reaches atmospheric pressure. Notice that you still have plenty of air in your lungs. To move the remaining air out, you must push it with your abdominal muscles; this is supported or active airflow, the opposite of passive or Natural Airflow.

Natural Airflow
What is Natural Airflow? Natural Airflow is the unforced movement of air. Most problems on the trumpet are caused by inefficient use of air which leads to over exertion of the embouchure muscles and your abdominal air support muscles. There are two types of airflow: 1. Natural/Passive Airflow - unforced air leaving the body due to the equalisation of air pressure inside and outside of the body. 2. Supported/Active Airflow - where the abdominal muscles are used to push the diaphragm upwards into the lung sac increasing air pressure in the lungs. What percentage of all trumpet players in the world can actually play the way that they want to? Why are people constantly looking for answers on how to play better? Why is range always an issue? The answer to all of these questions is that the trumpet (really just a fancy bit of pipe) is not an instrument that is natural to play. Firstly, let’s re-establish that blowing faster increases volume not range! The Aperture Posture must become firmer to play higher. The added support you feel from your abdominal muscles is purely for volume purposes. You can slur two octaves without changing the intensity of the blow and the notes will get higher but much softer very quickly. To keep the dynamic level consistent, faster air is required as you ascend. How can I experience Natural Airflow? Take a deep breath and sigh out loud. An even better example is a yawn. Imagine a balloon filling up inside your rib cage as you fill your lungs. The air inside the balloon (your lungs) is now under higher pressure than atmospheric pressure therefore due to laws of equalization, the air must come out! Let’s imagine a line of equalization; that is atmospheric pressure. Above the line of equalization is higher than atmospheric pressure and below the line is lower than atmospheric pressure. *HIGH AIR PRESSURE (Full Breath)* ————————————— Line of equalization – ATMOSHPHERIC PRESSURE LOW AIR PRESSURE (Empty Lungs) Playing the trumpet is a co-ordination or balance between two main functions: AIR and APERTURE Only a perfect balance between these two functions will allow a perfect sound. The most common problem with most players is that the Lip Aperture is too tight, so to keep vibration happening, air must be forced with the abdominals which creates all kinds of tension issues all the way back from the lips into the throat, chest and shoulders. Would you ever sing with so much strain in the body? How is the aperture going to vibrate effectively if it is being pinched? The abdomen and throat are locking and pushing against each other – the valsalva maneuver. This scenario is the complete opposite of Natural Airflow. *Natural Airflow* happens when wind from a Trumpet Breath passes through a relaxed throat (imagine fogging up a mirror), through the oral cavity on to a relaxed *Lip Aperture* that can vibrate easily (imagine that there is a tiny, delicate feather between your lips that you are gently blowing). How do I find the line of equalization? Take a full breath like you are about to jump into a freezing pool. Now pretend you are blowing out a candle but do not push the air with your abdominals. The air will stop flowing when the pressure in your lungs reaches atmospheric pressure. Notice that you still have plenty of air in your lungs. To move the remaining air out, you must push it with your abdominal muscles; this is supported or active airflow, the opposite of passive or Natural Airflow.