[Trombone-l] Altitude vs Lung Capacity?

[Al MacDonald]

Galen,

I live in Denver (my house is at around 5400 feet).  Air pressure here
is about 20 percent lower than at sea level.  Oxygen and other partial
pressures are reduced by about that much as well.  Athletes are
generally advised to spend a day of acclimation for each thousand feet
of elevation gain.

As far as increasing lung capacity, there are lots of ways to work on
your breathing.  I would recommend finding a really good teacher,
"The Breathing Gym" (DVD and book), reading Arnold Jacobs, or
whatever works for you.  There's really no difference in technique in
thinner air, there's just less air to work with.

Also, drink more water.  Most places at higher elevations are
generally dry, and you can get dehydrated much more quickly than you
think.

And you should avoid alcohol.  OK, nobody does that, but it's the
advice you always get.

By the way, if you're used to playing here, it feels really good to go
to sea level.  Just swimming in a pool of oxygen - ahhh!

Cheers,

Al









GZ> Aww, c¹mon guys, I was looking for some sage advice.
GZ> GRiZ
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