How to use air support

Click here for a quick-start guide to moving air for your classroom or studio.

Here we go again. The tone is thin and out of tune. The student’s face is red and shiny, their neck distended. The phrase ends with a whimper where the music clearly indicates a bang. The teacher demands, “Use more air!” 

The student’s eyes bug out, mouth gaping open like a fish as they take in a comically audible gasp. Their shoulders rise and their elbows flare out as if they’ve sighted a grizzly bear 20 feet away. They start over and, surprise, it sounds the same.

“Faster air!” The student breathes again, holds it for a moment to steel themselves, brow furrowed, and blows as hard as possible. Their cheeks puff out and spit flies out the corners. It’s twice as loud, even more out of tune, and they’re out of gas after three bars.

“No, better air. Support it!” The trumpet droops toward the floor. The student looks at their shoes and contemplates taking up graphic design. They sigh and make one last sad, defeated attempt. The teacher, wondering if that sandwich from last night has gone soggy in the fridge, looks away from the clock for a second to suggest, “Try using your diaphragm.”

Maybe you’ve been in the student’s place before. Maybe you’re the teacher with your hands in the air. Could be both. 

The concept of “air support” is esoteric because it isn’t taught early or explicitly enough, and that’s a real shame. Air support makes problems like poor intonation, weak tone, and pain from embouchure compensation disappear. It’s the key to a positive playing experience. Gorgeous sound, control over the instrument, less fatigue and pain? Magic! Sign me up!

So, how does it work?

Tighten the abdominal muscles.

That’s it.

Really? Really. 

Try this: 

Sit or stand up straight. Place a hand somewhere near your belly button. Press firmly with your fingertips and tighten those muscles until it feels like you’re pushing against a wall. 

Blow some air with the abs engaged. Keep pressing against the abdominal wall with one hand to be sure the muscles stay active. The air stream will move much longer and more steadily than it can without those muscles.

Take it to the next level by buzzing on the mouthpiece or playing some long tones with the abs working. 

This exercise has brought my students, even the youngest ones, great results. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to great sound that I’ll visit another time, but demystifying abdominal air support is a huge step forward.

Go forth and try it for yourself. Teachers, please, shout this from the rooftops early and often. Your students and your ears will thank you.