Use an Ugly Bag to Increase Air

I received the ugliest thing in the mail today…and to think I paid good money for it!

It’s a black rubber bag with a pvc pipe elbow stuck into the top.  The idea is to blow into the bag using the little pipe and fill it to capacity – like that’s going to happen.  As time goes on though, it’s supposed to get closer and closer to happening. Currently I’m less than half full. I’m sure my friends can make a few jokes about that.

There’s a whole set of instructions included with the bag and online for how to use this intimidating thing.  It purpose is to assist with training me to get the maximum air possible into my lungs and ultimately into the horn.  Simple concept. Hard work.

The bag and other things I’ve been reading about sound, tone and breathing are quite exhausting and seem, for the moment, to slow me down and make life in the tuba lane quite a workout.

I can’t help but wonder if other musicians, or want-to-be musicians, have odd things they do to improve their art.