Watch this clip of Rafael Mendez playing the The Flight of the Bumblebee on the trumpet and weep! And just in case that's not cool enough, Mendez followed up with an excerpt from The Mexican Hat Dance, played entirely in one breath.
He's simply amazing: Hit play or go to Link [YouTube] (fun starts at around 1:07 and 3:50) - Thanks Christophe, great find!
Still an estimable feat.
Much, MUCH respect to Mendez above of course!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbuIZ-5-8o
Circular breathing is pretty difficult itself. The only way you can really tell is through his cheeks but it gives a really cool effect of no breaks during the song.
But I do get what he's saying with practicing playing longer and longer without breath/breaks. The breathing technique allows the notes to still be very strong and clear. He is really talented, no doubt.