The Necessity of a Regular Workout for Brass Players

After having not ran for more than three weeks, yesterday I could feel a noticeable "laziness" of my lungs and breathing when I picked up my horn. I have never been one to commit to running EVERY day, but at least two to three times a week is good for me. In my playing, this lung-work is a necessity.

After deciding to go out and "stretch" my lungs today by running a little over a mile, I feel like my lungs have been "stretched" out to full capacity once again. There is a noticeable gain in my efficiency of air intake and prolonged length of exhale. Perhaps what is more notable is the ease of better "core" sound production. Finding the center of the note was "easy" today.

I say all of that to say that I have once again remembered the need for a regular cardio workout. One amazing aspect of music is that it brings so many disciplines of life together. For instance look at the blend of mathematics, coordination, physical prowess, knowledge of history, etc. that it requires to be a "complete, learned" musician. Keeping all of these aspects in balance is what it is all about.