Breathing with Anatomical Accuracy

Breathing is the most important activity to trombone playing and, regrettably, one of the most misunderstood.  We all know how to breathe properly since breathing is a function necessary to sustain life, however, many of us have interfered with the process in an attempt to improve it.  Subsequently, we may have formed some misunderstandings about our bodies.  As long as these misunderstandings exist, we will not breathe efficiently.  The following summary is intended to provide accurate knowledge in order to promote easy, natural breathing when playing.

The dome shaped line directly under the lungs is the diaphragm which separates the thoracic cavity above from the abdominal cavity below.  The thoracic cavity contains the lungs and heart and the abdominal cavity contains the viscera.  Air does not pass into the abdominal cavity.  Notice that the top of the lungs actually protrude above the collar bone.  Notice, too, that the tube which carries air to the lungs, known as the trachea, branches out into both lungs in the form of the bronchial tree.  This tree is designed to carry air to all parts of the lung tissue as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

The frequently used concept to “fill from the bottom up” when breathing simply cannot be true because to do this one would have to inhibit the top of the bronchial tree as the air travels downward.  As can be seen in the picture above, there is no physiological means of doing this.  Furthermore, to think in this way causes tension throughout the body which will manifest itself as poor air flow, leading to other problems far too numerous to list.

As the dome-shaped diaphragm moves downward, the thoracic cavity expands.  At the same time, the external intercostal muscles contract, raising the ribs and expanding the thoracic cavity still more.  The ribs are designed to be highly mobile and absolutely must move in order for us to breathe.  This point is so important that one could say that lung capacity is dependent upon the amount of rib movement because the lungs are located behind the ribs.  The ribs attach to the sternum in front by flexible cartilage and are hinged to the spine in the back via joints called processes.  As the diaphragm contracts and descends, the ribs swing up and out, creating plenty of space in the thoracic cavity for air to enter the lungs.  These movements are highly coordinated and are designed to occur in tandem. 

Of course, there is very important movement which occurs in the abdominal region but it occurs as the result of the diaphragm’s descent.  When the diaphragm contracts, it pushes down on the viscera and the abdominal cavity expands if it is allowed to.  An expanding abdomen is not what causes air to enter the lungs.  The abdominal area should not be involved in inhalation in an artificial “belly-dancing” sort of way. 

As Arnold Jacobs said: "Breathe to expand, don’t expand to breathe."

For more information about breathing with anatomical accuracy, study Barbara Conable’s book:
The Structures and Movement of Breathing
Available through the following web site: http://www.bodymap.org/