by Inman Hebert
For horn students, by mid-semester, playing obligations can seem never-ending. Between ensemble concerts, solo work, and chamber music (let alone any gigs, extracurricular playing, or marching band), rehearsals and performances can become an endless cycle of preparation and fatigue. Somehow, through this constant stream of playing, we are expected to have the endurance to practice in addition to the numerous other hours of face-time. Due to the taxing physical demands of horn playing, which often become more exacting as students enter performance-based careers, developing and maintaining proper endurance habits is crucial to positive perseverance.
A major endurance-related misconception contends that as students play more, their endurance will naturally develop alongside greater demands. The claim, however, oversimplifies the numerous factors which determine a student’s physical endurance. If we see endurance development as simply pushing ourselves for more time every day, then we risk developing poor habits that, in fact, hurt endurance-related pursuits later. Understanding the causes of poor endurance while practicing proper playing habits is critical to a more intelligent approach to endurance development.
Without a well-developed breathing technique, the ability to play a long time without rest will remain elusive. In connecting breath support to endurance, we must return to the fundamentals. Is our breathing shallow? Are facial muscles or shoulders tense on inhalation? Are the arms collapsed against the rib cage (which limits capacity and support)? Is the release of airflow steady? Relaxing keeps the airways open and allows for deeper breathing. Tension in all the wrong places inhibits the development of endurance.
Fortunately, doing exercises, both airflow-related and physical, can help our breathing technique and improve stamina. Breathing exercises often involve practicing inhaling and exhaling at various speeds to help us produce a steady stream of air. Standing close to the wall, is the airflow consistent so that a piece of paper remains in position until the exhalation stops? These practices teach us to take in as much air in one second as in four or to control the expiration rate. Air pressure management can help the hornist learn how to harness a small amount of fast-moving air for the high range and a more significant amount of slower-moving air for the low range. As an added benefit, these exercises alleviate stress and reduce tension. In recognizing the importance of airflow in endurance, students can work with mentors and review the abundance of resources to improve their breath support.
Additionally, cardiovascular exercise aids breathing and, in turn, improves stamina. Aerobic workouts attune us to our breathing muscles and train us to take quicker, more efficient breaths. In addition, physical activity such as running or biking also lowers our resting heart rate over time, which can help us calm ourselves more quickly before a performance and reduce the tension that affects our breathing. Incorporating anaerobic training, such as strengthening our core muscles, supports good posture, and this opens up breathing technique and helps prevent fatigue.
As tension inhibits effective breath support and, subsequently, endurance, excessive mouthpiece pressure restricts blood flow to the lips and contributes to limited endurance. A periodic reexamination of the embouchure warrants attention. Is the mouthpiece pressure distributed appropriately between the upper and lower lips? Is the mouthpiece being pushed in some inhibiting direction? In identifying solutions, students should revisit fundamental aspects of horn playing to help identify the reasons behind the pressure and work on eliminating them. We should strive for as relaxed an embouchure as possible, one that leaves only a slight mark on the lips.
While excessive mouthpiece pressure hinders circulation, proper warmups facilitate blood flow to the facial muscles. Horn players' warmups vary widely in length and composition, but instead of heading straight for the high notes, a student should focus on a productive warmup that activates all aspects of playing and helps prevent injury. Moreover, after practice, a warm-down prevents stiffness in the lips and preserves the embouchure for the next day.
After achieving proper breath support and appropriate mouthpiece pressure, the idea that endurance comes with consistent, focused practice becomes true. Three hours of daily practice spread out over a day becomes the standard of effort. However, in embracing the three-hour standard, how do students create a balance that does not overwork facial muscles in their busy playing schedules of rehearsals and concerts in addition to individual practice? One practical approach counts a lesson, rehearsal, or concert as one of those three sessions, while ensuring that the other sessions of the day are separated by a significant time margin to allow the facial muscles time for recovery. While time invested matters, improvement comes from using a methodical approach and not overworking yourself. Thoughtful practice is the key to improved stamina.
Building endurance evades simple answers but, rather, creates an interconnected web; however, if we set aside pride, assess fundamentals, and seek to understand the different components of stamina, we can work, with discipline and intelligence, to yield better results. Progress may be gradual and, at first, resemble a roller coaster rather than a straight ascent, but the satisfaction will be worthwhile when walking onto the stage confident in our endurance.
