gzent

I say long tones can be a way to let you know when you are not breathing properly. For example, the more full, relaxed and aligned your breathing the longer and easier you can hold a given note at a given pitch and dynamic.

If someone isn't consciously aware of how to achieve proper breathing
technique then I suppose long tones could get you there without having to know how or why it helps.

For me, remembering what Manny has said a zillion times and demonstrated helps me to 'reset' my breathing technique back to where it needs to be, and in a much shorter amount of time than playing a bunch of long tones.

Maybe it helps with endurance too - I can't say, I'd rather spend my limited practice time working on charts rather than 'long tones'.

my 2c,

Greg

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation