BY MICHAEL DAVIS
SUMMER 2005

There is nothing more important in brass playing than how we use our air. When you are playing, think about your air as often as you can. Get a full, relaxed breath and then imagine your air sailing out the end of the bell. Pick a spot at the back of the room and imagine your air getting all the way to that point.

I like to think of the "velocity" or "spin" of the air. Picture the spin on a tennis ball when a pro player hits it and try to make your air spin like that when you blow into your horn. If you're having trouble getting notes to change smoothly or going higher, try thinking of the speed of your air stream. Imagine the air moving faster through your instrument.

Brass playing is all about AIR!