Saw this in the Daily Mail passing through Heathrow Airport
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Playing an instrument in a brass band can boost mental and physical health, research shows
By Daily Mail Reporter
01:53 10 Dec 2019, updated 01:55 10 Dec 2019Some musicians also said they enjoyed improvements to preexisting conditions
One participant with asthma said it had helped them gain control over breathing
The research also found that the brass band players made new friends
Playing in a brass band boosts health and well-being, according to a new study.Researchers found that tooting on a tuba can help to relieve stress, improve mental health and give players lungs as efficient as an elite athlete.
Sheffield University scientists circulated a questionnaire among current brass band players, asking them about the positive and negative effects of playing in a band.
The responses revealed that the overwhelming majority of players felt that performing in a brass band had improved their breath control and lung capacity.
Researchers found that tooting on a tuba can help to relieve stress, improve mental health and give players lungs as efficient as an elite athlete (file image)
Some musicians also said they enjoyed improvements to preexisting respiratory conditions.One participant, who had played in a brass band for over 20 years and suffers with asthma, said that playing within a band had helped them gain control over their breathing.
When examined by a doctor, their lung capacity was compared to that of a top level sportsperson.
The study also revealed that playing in a brass band can have psychological benefits - such as relief from stress, increased resilience and improvements to overall mental health.
Another participant in the study, aged in their 30s, reported that concentrating on playing and following the lead of a conductor felt similar to the mental cleansing experienced during meditation.
One participant, with had played in a brass band for over 20 years and suffers with asthma, said that playing within a band had helped them gain control over their breathing (file image)
The research also found that brass band players made new friends, felt part of a community and enjoyed a sense of belonging from being part of a group of musicians.One musician, who had started playing relatively late in life, said: 'If you are prepared to spend the time and effort to master a brass instrument, you will never be lonely or bored again.
'There are so many bands out there and many are crying out for players, that you could be out every day of the week playing with some band.
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'This in turn will lead to great social interaction with people of similar musical interests.'Dr Michael Bonsor, from the University of Sheffield's Department of Music, said: 'Our research has clearly shown that playing in brass bands can be beneficial for individual physical, psychological and social well-being.
'Players report perceived improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular health, general fitness, cognitive skills, mental well-being and social engagement.
'Our survey respondents particularly valued the opportunities for community building, reporting a sense of social bonding and belonging, not only within the brass band world but also through their band's musical role in a range of public events and fundraising activities for the wider community.'
He added: 'We are hoping that these findings will encourage people to participate in this sociable way of contributing to our physical and mental health.'
The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology: Performance Science
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I am 83 and playing first trumpet with one the best local bands and everything that report says is dead on. I played trumpet in the early 50s and 60s but stopped for career and family reasons. Fifty years later, after three terrible years grieving over my wife's death, I started playing again ( almost 4 years ago now ) and playing music became my salvation mentally, and in many ways, physically.
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When in Germany I had a colleague (trombone player, but smarter than most) who had taken part in a study about lung capacity among brass players. The finding was that brass players don't really have bigger lungs, but can easily control the exhalation.
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@Vulgano-Brother said in Saw this in the Daily Mail passing through Heathrow Airport:
When in Germany I had a colleague (trombone player, but smarter than most) who had taken part in a study about lung capacity among brass players. The finding was that brass players don't really have bigger lungs, but can easily control the exhalation.
True!
I was once at a very young age for a revision in a hospital and they measured my lung capacity. Pretty small. After a moment they came again and said "your mother says you're a trumpet student in the conservatory?" "Yes". They measured it again. No change. Quite embarrassing, I supose.
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In my case playing in a band has also greatly improved my self control...I can now stay calm in any situation. :=)
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@Vulgano-Brother said in Saw this in the Daily Mail passing through Heathrow Airport:
When in Germany I had a colleague (trombone player, but smarter than most) who had taken part in a study about lung capacity among brass players. The finding was that brass players don't really have bigger lungs, but can easily control the exhalation.
When I was in my hospital bed, I had my pocket trumpet with me. When I started circular breathing my pulse optometry increased by 6%! That positive end respiratory pressure really does open up more alveolar sacks.
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