Breathing & Practice Aids for Brass

A brass instrument wouldn't be able to perform without air, and the only way you can supply it with that air is through proper breathing technique. Not only that; but your embouchure - the way you position and use your lips to create tone - is a critical part of playing any brass instrument. Improving your breath and embouchure will happen naturally as you practice playing, of course, but if you want to progress at a quicker pace, then breathing practice aids for brass are ready to help. The products you'll find in this section are designed to assist you with the vital aspects of brass musicianship, and they'll help you become the best player you can be, more efficiently than practice alone.

If you'd like to start by working on your lung capacity, check out the Breath Builder Voldyne Volumetric Exerciser and the Breath Builder Breathing Bag. Both of these items are on the list of best sellers, and that shouldn't come as a surprise since bigger lung capacity means an improved ability to hold notes as well as to put more power behind the instrument. When you want to play longer and louder, these practice aids are the first step.

Most of the other options in this section are devoted to embouchure, and they can help you out in all kinds of different ways. For example, the Bach Trumpet Mouthpiece Visualizer allows you to check your techniques visually in the mirror to make sure you're performing them correctly. Warburton makes the APE series (the Warburton APE Anti-Pressure Exerciser for Trumpet, for example) that help you fine-tune your embouchure so you won't need to put too much pressure on your lips to maintain the quality of your buzz. And those are just two examples of what this selection has to offer.

Choosing the best breathing practice aids for brass depends on the specific performance goals you're setting out to accomplish. From improving your lip positioning to working on your buzz technique, there's something for every aspect of embouchure. And to make sure you've got plenty of air to keep the music coming, you can build your lung capacity as well. It's all within your reach with the right accessories, so don't hesitate to start looking through the lineup!