Practice Techniques to Strengthen Your Brass Playing
Brass players know one universal truth: your sound is only as good as your air.
Whether you’re playing trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, or tuba, the quality of your airflow directly shapes your tone, endurance, phrasing, and consistency. But great brass playing requires more than simply “taking a bigger breath.” It demands training, intentional practice, and smart habits that build strength and efficiency over time.
The good news? You don’t need fancy equipment, hours of extra practice, or expensive add-ons to make a real difference. With just a few targeted techniques - plus a simple, athlete-tested breathing device like the Breath Builder® - you can supercharge your brass performance from the inside out.
Let’s break down some of the most effective ways to level up your brass playing.
1. Build a Better Foundation With Breath Training
Brass playing begins long before your lips ever buzz. Your breathing is the engine of every note, phrase, and dynamic change - and strengthening that engine is essential.
This is where the Breath Builder® shines.
Unlike resistance tools that require complex settings or expensive replacements, the Breath Builder® keeps things simple: inhale, exhale, keep the ball up, and let the visual feedback train your lungs automatically. The device was originally designed by a musician (bassoonist Harold Hanson), and over 50+ years later, it remains a trusted tool among professionals, educators, and brass players of all ages.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what brass musicians say:
“The Breath Builder is a fantastic breathing tool… especially as a brass player because my mouthpiece fits on the tube so I can buzz and do all my breathing exercises with visual feedback. I was drawn to it for its simplicity and the emphasis Arnold Jacobs placed on it. I’ve recommended them to my students - it’s helped even more during COVID lockdown when we weren’t using our lungs the same way.”
— Johnathan, Brass Player & Instructor
“I was astounded at how little air I was using when playing trombone. I couldn’t even get the ball to rise at first! But once I could keep it at the top, I was engaging all the correct physical elements - without consciously trying. My tone immediately became fuller and richer.”
— James T. Decker, Associate Professor of Trombone
“I’m already experiencing positive results. My air capacity is increasing and I’m more aware of bigger, more efficient breaths. I’m producing a fuller sound, more flowing phrases, and enjoying playing more.”
— Susan, French Horn Player
Breath training doesn’t just improve the quality of your sound - it also reduces tension and increases endurance. Even five minutes a day makes a measurable difference.
2. Focus on Long Tones (Yes… They Really Do Work)
Every brass teacher says it, and for good reason: long tones build consistency, strength, and control more effectively than almost any other exercise.
The key to long-tone success?
Stay relaxed. Tension kills sound.
Use steady airflow. This is where the Breath Builder® preps you beautifully.
Keep the core engaged. Think torso support, not shoulder lifting.
Listen for tone shape. Don’t zone out - listen actively.
Start with soft dynamics, then gradually work your way toward louder and more powerful phrases.
3. Add Mouthpiece Buzzing for Precision and Strength
Mouthpiece buzzing helps refine:
centering
tone focus
aperture strength
pitch accuracy
airflow consistency
But here’s the secret most players never hear:
Buzzing is infinitely more effective when you anchor it to visual feedback.
Because the Breath Builder® allows many brass mouthpieces to fit directly onto the tubing, players like Johnathan have discovered that they can buzz and monitor airflow at the same time.
More awareness = more progress.
4. Use Slow Scales to Improve Control
Fast scales show off your technique.
Slow scales improve your technique.
Practicing scales at a deliberately slow pace builds:
precise slide/valve coordination
even tone across registers
confident transitions
rhythm consistency
stable air support
Try this exercise:
Play a scale at half your normal tempo.
Hold each note for a full four counts.
Focus on smooth airflow and rich tone.
It feels simple - but it’s incredibly powerful.
5. Record Yourself Consistently
Your ears in the moment tell you one story.
A recording tells you the truth.
Record 30–60 seconds of:
warm-ups
long tones
etudes
excerpts
improvisation
You’ll catch issues immediately: unfocused sound, inconsistent volume, tense attacks, unsupported phrases, etc.
Make recording part of your weekly routine. Your future self will be grateful.
6. Turn Practice Into Play
One reason students love the Breath Builder® is because it turns breath work into a game. Keeping the ball up becomes competition - with yourself or your classmates - and suddenly the “boring” part of practice becomes the most exciting.
Gamified practice = better consistency
Better consistency = better players
Better players = happier teachers
A win for everyone
Improving your brass skills doesn’t require complicated routines or expensive equipment. With better breathing, consistent fundamentals, smart technique, and tools that make practice more fun, progress becomes natural - almost automatic.
The Breath Builder® has helped brass players for more than 50 years, and it continues to serve musicians who want:
fuller tone
more efficient air
increased lung capacity
better endurance
stronger phrasing
and a healthier, more enjoyable playing experience
Start simple. Stay consistent. Build your air - and your sound will follow.
