The Science of Breathing for Trumpet Players: Why “Support” Is Misunderstood
For decades, trumpet players have been told to “use more air,” “blow from the bottom,” or “support with the diaphragm.”
But when we actually look at how the body works, those phrases don’t line up with reality. Understanding the scienceof breathing can completely change the way you play — and help you make music with greater ease, efficiency, and consistency.
1. The Diaphragm: The Real Engine of Breathing
The diaphragm is responsible for about 90% of the work of breathing and blowing, and it’s completely involuntary— meaning you can’t consciously “push” with it.
When you inhale, the diaphragm moves downward, flattening out and expanding the space in your chest cavity. This motion creates negative pressure, drawing air into your lungs.
It does not push upward into the ribs during exhalation — in fact, it relaxes and returns to its dome shape as you breathe out.
2. The Abdominal Muscles: Strong but Misunderstood
Your abdominal muscles don’t control airflow in the way many players believe. They’re incredibly strong — so strong that if they truly compressed the air out of your lungs, they’d crush them.
Their main function in trumpet playing is postural stability, not air propulsion. They help you maintain an efficient, upright playing position but don’t directly move the air.
3. What Actually Moves the Air
The lungs are located inside your rib cage, and it’s the intercostal muscles (the ones between your ribs), along with your throat and mouth, that control active inhalation and exhalation.
Air doesn’t “fill from the bottom up” — the lungs expand in all directions simultaneously, just like a balloon.
And once the lungs are filled to a certain pressure, that air will flow out naturally — which is why we continue to breathe while asleep. There’s no need to “force” it.
4. What This Means for Trumpet Players
If the body already knows how to move air efficiently, our job as players isn’t to push harder — it’s to get out of the way.
The best trumpet playing happens when posture, relaxation, and air release are balanced. Rather than “supporting,” we should focus on:
Efficient breathing posture
Releasing tension in the abdomen and throat
Allowing natural air pressure to do the work
This approach produces a freer, more resonant tone — and helps avoid fatigue, overblowing, and tension-related issues.
5. Rethinking the Word “Support”
Maybe it’s time to update our language. Instead of “push,” “support,” or “blow harder,” try thinking:
“Set up well, inhale freely, and let the air move itself.”
That simple mindset shift can completely transform the way we teach and play trumpet.
Want to Go Deeper?
I’ve posted diagrams, a powerpoint and exercises that apply this concept directly to trumpet warm-ups and fundamentals here:
ryanhobbstrumpetplayer.com