Klarinet Archive - Posting 000346.txt from 1995/02

From: "Michael A. Cassara" <michael.cassara@-----.COM>
Subj: Breathing
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 10:23:00 -0500

Hi gang,
I wanted to get some posts on breathing. I have never been a "morning
player" I know many people who prefer to practice in the early hours.
They say it's easier for them. I have always found my breathing is
awkward in the morning. My diaphram just doesn't want to support me before
10:00.
In the last few weeks I have had to work some pieces in the morning
with a piano player. I realized that we weren't accomplishing what we
should have. I even had to stop once and catch my breath. I have found
that when I eat breakfast I have more endurance than when I don't (which
is the majority of the time). Could this be attributed to stored oxygen
in the food that I take in? Or could it be due to the fact that the food
starts my stomach muscles to move? Or could it be both?
Has anyone else ever had to deal with this. Has anyone ever tried
this with food? If so what foods are better to eat before a rehearsal in
the early hours?
Also, while we're on the subject. Has anyone ever dealt with circular
breathing? If so how did you learn, how do you practice? I just ordered
a booklet by Trent Kynaston entitled Circular Breathing for the Wind
Performer. Anyone know of others worth looking into?
Well there is no school today so I'll be busy working on the Copland
and other stuff. I just finnished transcribing a bunch of old Eddie Daniels
solos: Time Marches On, A Felicidade, and the Rocker. They're on his 1966
First Prize Album. Good Music!

Mike Cassara, Cleveland, Ohio