[Trombone-l] Altitude vs Lung Capacity?

[Dennis Clason]

You know, one thing I haven't seen any comments on wrt high altitude is 
pitch.  The speed of sound is slower at altitude (because the air is 
thinner).  My bass tunes to right at A=442 at sea level with a large cup 
mouthpiece, so about 1/4" on the tuning slide and I'm set.  At 5000 feet 
I can't use the big mouthpiece -- the tuner says it's 438 or so with 
tuning slide closed.  Here at 3700 it's iffy.  Depends on who I'm 
playing with -- if A is 442 I've got problems.  If it's 440 I'm okay.  
Otherwise I have to reduce the mp volume to get the pitch up.

Al MacDonald wrote:
> 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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-- 
--
Dennis L. Clason, Ph.D.
University Statistics Center
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico