Questions for trombonists and trumpeters

[Glenn Simonelli]

My latest jazz big band piece has a couple of sections where the trombones and/or trumpets are playing whole notes for 6 or 8 measures in a row. The notes aren't tied; in most cases they change each measure. Should I indicate when to breathe, add a note saying "breathing as needed," or just assume that the musicians will sneak in a breath between measures?

[Chris Alpiar]

It all depends on who you are writing for and if you care. If you want breathing in specific places, mark it. And if you want to mark in notes off on which part of the beat on whole notes etc, thats fine too. Or maybe you prefer staggered breathing so its as un-noticeable as possible?

[Seth Neuffer]

Many times the trumpet section will breathe with the lead or principal trumpet player who most likely will breathe with the phrasing, like every 4 bars for example. Sometimes by default many groups will will stagger breathe as they need air. Either way they are going to find a place to breathe. They won't pass out from lack of oxygen if you don't put a note to breathe.
Staggering to make it unnoticable, or as a group to be together as a section for phrasing. Only specify where you want them to breath if it's important to your music to be specific.
Hope this helps.

[Glenn Simonelli]

Thank you both for writing. You've cleared up the question for me. The reason I wrote was because when I wrote the scores I included the text "Breathing as Needed" on the line above the beginning of the whole note section. When proofing the scores I looked at that and thought "That looks really stupid." I mean, "breathing as needed"? As opposed to what?

Anyway, I'm glad to learn that brass players don't need to be told when to breathe.

[F Gordon Kennedy]

Hi, Glenn,

In general, trumpets fare better than trombones, but the generalities apply.

I don't mean to be too much of a wise-guy or 'low-ball' this question, but what will work is 'what will work'.
Unless I knew the section players very well, I would not depend on them individually to decide.

Best, conduct the breathing, if you can.
Or, you could mark the spot for breathing with a 'comma' ( ' ) placed above the player's line of notes.
Or, your lead player could do it.

How much you want and what you can get, depends on the volume at that point and who is playing.
I have known only one trombone player who could 'circular breath', 'saw him-heard him' while he did it
(44 years ago) - amazing.

Best,
F Gordon Kennedy, Scorecomposer
http://www.Myspace.com/scorecomposer
http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/360593

[phil Kelly]

It depends on a lot of factors ( register, change of harmony, dtnamic level, etc )
but in general if you want a "seamless effect" , you can either mark the parts "stagger breathing " or use commas to specify your choices.

And yes .. the bones will run out of air MUCH faster than the trumpets!

Phil Kelly
www.philkellymussic.com