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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000049.txt from 2003/10

From: Charles Lipp <clipp@-----.com>
Subj: [DR-L] Re: bodybuilding and sound
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 14:43:28 -0400

Like most folklore, the idea of developing bodily
strength to play a wind instrument dies hard. A look
at the physiology of respiration shows that our bodies'
respiratory system uses one of three blueprints. Each
is employed for a specific function:
1) For defecation and childbirth--The torso muscles
generate pelvic pressure, a closed-throat, downward
pressure. Many pounds of downward pressure may be
generated.
2) For combat--Contracting muscles in the torso
protect vital organs and stabilizes large muscle groups
for "fight or flight." When contracted, the torso muscles
can fend off blows of over a hundred pounds.
3) For respiration and wind instrument playing--
The torso becomes a bellows system of enlargement and
reduction to move air out of the body. Only three pounds
of outward pressure can be generated. A feedback system
governs this effort to protect the delicate lung tissues.
This feedback system redirects any attempt to generate
more outward pressure to the physiological ends of
blueprint 1) or 2).

We work to find the minimal effort to move air with ease.
A bellows like movement, not strength, makes air move
through our instruments.

Charles Lipp clipp@-----.com