Ask Simon …

BY SIMON MINSHALL

I am keen to keep this section as useful to you as possible. Martin Lee Thompson, on the socials, has assisted in getting some questions in from you: this gets me thinking and researching, so thank you!

What sort of breathing exercises do you do as part of your regular routine?

For a time as a younger player, I would do some in depth breathing routines such as The Breathing Gym and make use of lots of different breathing devices such as Air bags, Inspiron, and Voldyne: aids which Arnold Jacobs used to 'divorce remedial function matters from the actual playing of the instrument.' They certainly helped but I find myself using them less often now, replacing them with physical exercise to keep my lungs strong. I keep telling myself, and my students, to swim more.

Brass players often focus on taking in a much air as possible, 'take a BIG breath'. This can lead to stress and tension and have a negative impact on how we sound. We need to remain elastic and keep in mind that air comes in and goes out. Sounds a little silly when you say it, but you won't forget it now. Move warm air and shift the focus of breathing in to moving that warm air. You should be pleasantly surprised about how easy the breath in can now be. Walk, run, play some sports and be aware that playing a brass instrument is a physical task.

Some simple stretching can help you keep the elasticity in the core of the body and allow you to expand without tension. Take care of your body as best you can.

What repertoire should I bring to lessons with show players/jazz players?

I have touched on a similar subject before. As musicians we are constantly being asked to fit into different styles, not only to earn a living as a professional but to expand our musical horizons, so we should be trying to play in all styles.

Don't think too hard about what to take. If this is a lesson to learn more about how to play that way then a great teacher will guide you and I would hope have some things at hand for you to play: I suspect sight reading would feature a lot. Chat with them before about your goals and objectives. I have some of my students tell me what they want to achieve, and then it's my job to help them.

How do I keep in playing shape on tour/away from home?

Everyone is different, but I try to keep things as much like home as possible, just on a different continent or in an unknown hall. My warm up may take longer than usual if it's been a big concert the previous night or a long travel day. A practice mute on tour makes all the difference. I'm not going to review mutes here, but I use an Okura mute for my bass trombones: for contrabass, a Denis Wick baritone mute fits. (Order online so you don't have to awkwardly ask for a baritone practice mute in a shop!!!)

Other practice mutes may be preferred but I want something that fits flush with the bell in the case. It's not great to play with a practice mute all the time, but it's useful to have the option of playing in a hotel room without the police getting involved.

As ever, please do email in anything you would like me to address or babble on about to president@britishtrombonesociety.org or find me on Instagram @th_minsh ◆