2.3 Arnold Jacobs

Essential Question: How do Arnold Jacobs's pedagogical principals support proper relationship between air pressure, air flow, and anatomical understanding in playing brass instruments?

Arnold Jacobs (1915–1998) was a renowned American tubist and one of the most influential brass pedagogues of the 20th century. He served as the principal tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1944 to 1988, where he played for over four decades and became celebrated for his exceptional musicianship and tone.

As a pedagogue, Jacobs was highly regarded for his innovative approach to breathing and brass playing. He emphasized the importance of efficient airflow, body awareness, and mental focus in producing a beautiful sound. His teachings on breathing technique and the psychology of performance revolutionized brass pedagogy and influenced countless musicians, not only tubists but players of all brass instruments. Jacobs created and used a number of breathing apparatuses to measure and improve breathing capacity and efficiency. A few are shown here, including breathing bags and incentive spirometers.

5 different breath-building devices used by wind players to improve their breath capacity and efficiency. There is a breathing bag, two spirometers to measure capacity and flow, an abdominal support, and an exhale flow meter.

Jacobs taught extensively throughout his career, mentoring generations of students and professionals who have carried his teachings forward. The following is an excerpt of Jacob's teachings, collected from his former students.

Advice from Arnold Jacobs

Please read the excerpt below from Also Sprach Arnold Jacobs about Arnold Jacobs' Pedagogy. Read Section 4.1-4.5. Additional pages are provided as optional reading.

Measuring Inhale and Building Useful Capacity

Use the graph to note the student's vital capacity and then use the Voldyne Spirometer to measure their inhale. Is there a difference? Sometimes, well-trained wind players will actually have a usable capacity above the expected vital capacity. If that's the case, great! More commonly, the student will not be inhaling to their vital capacity. You can use the breathing devices and exercises to help them build breath efficiency and useful capacity.

Vital capacity chart showing expected lung capacity by age, height, and sex

Tools to Build Better Breathing

Use the Breath Builder to feel the sensation of inhale and exhale. Try to keep the ping pong ball up the whole time!

Use the Incentive Spirometer to see how much you are inhaling. Vary the resistance to build up better efficiency.

Turn the Incentive Spirometer upside down to work the exhale. You can put a mouthpiece into the tube and buzz (use a very low resistance for buzzing). Can you keep the ball at or near the top, even when you add articulation?

The PDF below gives more details on how to use the devices for the best results

Breath Builder & Incentive Spirometer

Incentive Spirometer device for measuring and improving breathing capacity

Learning Check

2 points possible (ungraded)

Longy students should write their breathing metaphors in their toolbox.

1. According to the Bernoulli principle, which is true?

2. According to Arnold Jacobs, which of these is NOT true for brass players?

3. In your own words, explain Arnold Jacobs' statement: "Focus on the psychology, not the mechanics of breathing." Why is this important for wind playing? Provide at least three metaphors you could use to teach healthy breathing to a high school student.

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