To my knowledge, this question has never been addressed, and some may wonder what difference does it make anyway?
As some of you may know already, your host has been performing regularly on trombone. In fact more on trombone than on trumpet this month. As a new member of the low brass family, I have recognized several distinct differences in not only playing styles but also character differences between the two instruments and their players. One striking difference is the fact that trombone players seem to be able to play longer phrases than trumpet players.
When trying to make the comparison of vital capacity, efficient use of air, differences in bore size as well as the range of each instrument, finding any conclusive facts is very difficult. But with my limited experience with the trombone and my entire carrier based on playing trumpet, I will try to sort out the differences and hopefully add some light to this dilemma.
Trumpet playing
• Smaller bore of instrument- due to the fact that the trumpet has a smaller bore than that of a trombone, it stands to reason that a trumpet player should be able to continue phrases much longer than a trombone player.
• Upper register playing- The trombone is usually performing an octave lower than the trumpet which means more air is needed to perform at this lower level.
• Trumpet players are blessed with an abundance of vital capacity- (the total amount of air within the lungs).
• Trumpet players are “breath deep” players- Every beginning student is told to breath deep and “fill the horn”.
• Trumpet players usually approach their instrument in a physical manner- Tell a trumpet player to take a deep breath and it instantly becomes a physical challenge on who can get more air in.
Trombone playing
• Trombone players “waste” trombone playing trumpet players on long phrases.
• In my case, (a new trombone player) I have to breath twice as often than the true trombone players in the trombone section.
• Trombone players appear to be more relaxed than trumpet players when performing.
I remember an interesting situation related to this topic. While attending a party with the great trombone, Supper Bone, trumpet playing musician by the name of Ashley Alexander, we all participated in a game “who can blow up a balloon the fastest”. Attending that party were most of our brass staff and it was expected that the trumpet players would go home with the honors that evening. That did not happen.
Everyone took their turn at trying to burst their balloon in the quickest time and those with years of low brass experience won every time. Keith Johnson (now retired from the University of North Texas, Denton) and I were humiliated by our colleagues. Both Keith and I were amazed; especially when you consider that Mr. Johnson was and is a strong exponent of the art of relaxed and deep breathing.
Apparently, through many years of practice, trombone players have learned something we trumpet players have not developed.
There may be different reasons for this condition and I’ll try to list some of them.
1. Trombone players, through many years of playing have learned to take in more air than trumpet players.
2. Trombone players are more efficient with the air they take in.
3. The trombone embouchure may have some effect on the increased length of phrases.
4. Trombone players are more relaxed than trumpet player when performing.
I am confident that this post will generate some discussion on the subject and I encourage any comments or additional information for I am at a loss as to the reason I can’t keep up with my low brass colleagues.
An interesting side note for those interested in the lung capacity of wind player as compared to athletes is the fact that athletes in grades six, seventh, and eighth (2.938) had more vital capacity than wind players (2.362).*
*https://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2007/Projects/J1122.pdf
