Klarinet Archive - Posting 000354.txt from 1995/02

From: BALDRICK <lindsey.glen@-----.UK>
Subj: Re: Breathing
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 1995 08:25:27 -0500

On Fri, 17 Feb 1995, Michael A. Cassara wrote:

> 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
>

Yes, I'd definatly agree that playing in the morning is difficult and I
certainly find playing on an empty stomach very difficult. I try and have
a good, balanced meal before or a performance otherwise if I'm standing I
have a tendency to feel rather faint.

Lindsey Glen