Posted by Rick Denney on April 17, 2002 at 15:21:10:
In Reply to: Re: Re: diaphragm placement/bore size? posted by Bill on April 17, 2002 at 14:58:24:
I just watched myself breathe, and I'm pretty sure that the diaphragm is in one particular place for a given inflation of the lungs. Sure, I might be able to isometrically tighten other adbominal muscles around it, but I can't see that doing so would cause anything but harm. Certainly it violates every principle of relaxed exhalation I've ever heard from professional tuba teachers and players at all levels.
I do control pitch with the support I provide, but that support, it seems to me, is in the corners of the embouchure and in making sure I have a good air supply. I might speed up the air to make things a bit more sharp, but speeding up the air implies letting it flow through a smaller hole--i.e. by firming up the corners.
The diaphragm is largely controlled involuntarily. Shouldn't it mostly stay that way?
Rick "for whom tension is the enemy" Denney