Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: EmmaHildyard on 19/08/2019 11:44:02

Title: Wind instrument player's lungs?
Post by: EmmaHildyard on 19/08/2019 11:44:02

Bruce has asked...

Does the form or function of a wind instrument player's lungs differ from the norm?

Go on... blow your own trumpet and help us out here...

Title: Re: Wind instrument player's lungs?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/08/2019 20:32:44

Sometimes in unexpected ways.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37152871

Title: Re: Wind instrument player's lungs?
Post by: alancalverd on 19/08/2019 23:28:39

Playing a wind instrument certainly promotes cardiovascular health and those of us blessed with the tuba part, especially in brass bands, tend to be of generous stature, but that's as much due to the beer as the exercise.

Whilst a sustained note requires plenty of lung capacity, loudness and attack come from the lips, cheeks, and diaphragm muscles - I learned a lot from a rather petite young lass whose technique more than compensated for a lack of brute force.

As for "bagpipe lung", although instrument brass is mildly germicidal, the first lesson for all wind players (except harmonicas) is "never breathe in through the instrument". Harmonica players regularly disinfect the tools of their trade, and don't use one another's kit. Lisa Simpson's tenor sax hero "Bleeding Gums" Murphy is a warning to us all.