Beat VM

If you've struggled with VM before, you've probably been told to use breath attacks as the solution.

If it didn’t work for you, you are not alone. 💛

Breath attacks don’t actually fix VM because once the tongue comes back in, the internal pressure issue is still there — and the sticking comes back.

I had to stop using breath attacks completely because they became a crutch. I stumbled a thousand times learning how to play without triggering my Valsalva maneuver, but it is possible to retrain your body and play with ease.

You can too.
Check out my website for more VM resources. 🌿

Keywords VM, valsalva maneuver, brass playing, articulation, breath control, trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba, musicians, performance anxiety, breath support, embouchure, wind players

Hey brass players — can you flutter tongue in the low register?

Everyone keeps asking for more flutter tongue videos, so here’s a quick check-in.

You should be able to flutter tongue in all registers.
If it stops in the low register, pause and check in with yourself.

Is your tongue retracting or pulling back?
Is your tongue raising?
Is your air speed fast enough?

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Daily affirmation for musicians. Especially if you struggle with VM.

When I release tension, music flows through me.

musicians • beatvm • valsalva maneuver • brass players • wind players • performance anxiety • musician mindset • nervous system • music practice • musician health

If you’ve struggled with VM, you’ve probably been told to just practice with a metronome and your articulation will fix itself.

But you already know what happens… the second the metronome turns off, you get stuck again.

That’s because the metronome distracts your brain.
You stop thinking about breathing mechanics and your body naturally coordinates.

Then it turns off, your brain jumps back in, and you return to forcing what you think breathing should be.

During my VM journey, I had to slowly wean myself off the metronome and relearn how to breathe without thinking rhythmically.

Ease came when my body was allowed to lead again.

Articulation. breathing. metronome. brass players. wind players. performance anxiety. nervous system. motor learning. BeatVM.

A common thought when struggling with articulation or VM is: maybe I need new equipment.

A horn with less back pressure.
A more open mouthpiece.
Something that makes it easier.

The truth is, equipment changes won’t fix the underlying issue. It might help for a short time, but your brain will reset the baseline and the same problem shows up again.

Fix the tension and coordination first. Then the equipment works for you, not against you.

If you need help, check out the resources on my website.

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I am highly recommending this, but if you live in SA you better not clear my HEB out of my Juni!

If you struggle with VM you should definitely try out Juni. I use many forms of ashwaghanda to calm myself down, but Juni might be my favorite.

You'll always find me drinking one before a concert. I use them for performance anxiety and when I stress less my VM is less!

Also Juni sponsor me! I have SO many musicians drinking this now. Lol

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If you struggle with VM you have to do this.

Go into your fridge and throw out anything you’re allergic or intolerant to.
VM gets so much worse when there is extra inflammation in the body.
Reducing inflammatory foods can make a huge difference in control, recovery, and consistency when you play.

VM is already a stress response — don’t let your food add more stress to the system.

VM • inflammation • food sensitivities • allergies • gut health • nervous system • brass players • wind players • performance health • beat VM

If you struggle with VM you have to be doing this.

Put the horn away.
Seriously. Don’t pull a Steph and start practicing at 11pm and blacking out till 1am… 😅

You need sleep. 💤
VM gets 10x worse when we aren’t rested.

Sleep is part of your recovery.
Putting the horn down is sometimes the most productive thing you can do.

How appropriate that I procrastinated posting this until 10pm lol 🤦‍♀️

Beat VM • Brass Players • French Horn • Musician Health • Practice Smart • Breath Control • Performance Anxiety • Musician Tips