To summarize, yes, you can stop playing for a beat or two, so you can breathe. Just make sure you keep track of the beat passing, so that you can jump right back in and at the right spot, like nothing happened. When I do this, often my fingers are still fingering the notes, just my lips and lungs are not playing at the same time (helps me to stay in the right place and reenter seamlessly). Just make sure that it is not at the same place where your section mates are doing the same thing. In some groups, folks playing the same part actually plan out when/where each player is going to breathe. Anyone could and should take advantage of any written rests or conducted pauses as places to breathe. Avoid taking your breaths in the middle of a flowing musical phrase, or anywhere the conductor explicitly says to avoid leaving gaps. It is better to grab a short breath where you can, even if it does not refill you completely, than to let your tone and musicality suffer. Unless the composer or conductor say that they want the sound of the notes dying away for artistic effect.
- Sara
Baritone - 3 Valve, Compensating, JinBao JBBR1240