Kingsmen Hornline Breathing Exercises

An important factor that contributed to The Kingsmen Hornline’s ability to make 46 horns sound like 60 was it’s dedication to breathing exercises. Please incorporate these breathing exercises into your regular practice schedule. We need to be able to produce that “wall of sound” that The Kingsmen are known for.

Practice these breathing exercises while marching slowly….

1. Inhale for 8 counts, hold for 8 counts, exhale for 8 counts.
………………..repeat 8 times

2. Inhale for 1 count, hold for 8 counts, exhale for 8 counts.
………………..repeat 8 times

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, increasing the 8’s to 16.

4. Take the biggest breath possible and then keep adding a sipping breath until no more air can be added.

5. Remove the mouthpiece from your horn, take in a full breath and then exhale one strong burst of air through your horn.
………………..repeat 8 times


Remember that you are blowing air “through” your horn, not into it. The goal is to train yourself to use the full physical capacity of your lungs.