I need help on something called circulation breathing-its not a normal type of breathing!?

Question

I play french horn, and one of the advanced trumpet players at my school does something he calls circulation breathing (he is an adult) Instead of taking breaths every 4-8 measures, he continuosly breaths in thru his nose and out through his mouth, producing a nearly never ending note. circulation breathing doesn't sound very scientific, is there another name 4 this, or is it even possible? If it is, any tips or websites that might help me learn 2 do it?

Answer 1

The key is *pushing* (not exhaling) air out of your mouth while inhaling through your nose. It IS called circular breathing. The aboriginals do it to play didgeridoo.

Answer 2

Yes, it is very possible and is used a lot for brass players.  I'm not sure how often its used for woodwinds.  Basically, you got it right, this technique is used to basically hold out notes "forever" because you dont have to stop the outflow of air from your mouth to breath in your nose.  I cant really tell you much more, but thats it, and it is possible

Answer 3

thats what didgery-doo players use to play them (its a nativ Australian pipe)

Answer 4

let me know I would like to know

Answer 5

It's called circular breathing. I used to be able to do it for a while back when I played a lot (main instrument was Euphonium). First off - you can't really breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth at the same time - there's only one windpipe and it's unidirectional. What you CAN do with a LOT of practice is create enough of a reservoir of air by bulging your cheeks to continue producing a note by squeezing that air into the horn with your facial muscles long enough to take a breath through your nose. This allows you to generate a continuous tone without an audible break for a breath.