Klarinet Archive - Posting 000258.txt from 1995/07

From: John Roman <JohnARoman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: from a beginner
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 1995 23:48:44 -0400

Anneke Sicherer-Roetman wrote:

<<I am only just beginning to learn to play the clarinet. My goal is to
play in a marching band. I already play electronic organ for years, so
musical notation is no problem. What IS a problem is that after playing
for about five minutes I get a nasty feeling of pressure in my head.
If I would continue, this would lead to a headache, I am sure. My teacher
says that my breathing technique is wrong. She tries to help me as much
as she can, but I still have this pressure. Could anyone give me some
tips how to change my breathing to get rid of this pressure in my head,
because I do get a reasonable sound already I like the instrument a lot.
How do I get the breath as far down in my body as seems to be necessary?>>

I don't quite understand your description of "pressure in your head" but
incorrect breathing technique can certainly cause dizziness and a number of
other problems. Learning to breath properly can be one of the most difficult
accomplishments for a beginning clarinettist. If I remember correctly it's
almost self-defeating; the harder you try, the more you do it wrong.

What helped me was when I finally understood where the air was supposed to go
and what it ws supposed to feel like. Try this: Lie on your back and just
breath normally. If you're relaxed, your breathing rate will be relatively
slow. Don't make a concious effort to breath; just let it happen (it will
you know or you've got an even bigger problem). Just allow yourself to
become aware of where the air goes when you do breath. I was once told that
it is almost impossible to breath incorrectly while lying on your back. I
found it to be true, at least for me.

Once you know what it should feel like, stand up (no clarinet) and see if you
can take a slow breath in through your mouth and have it feel the same. When
you think you're ready, work on some long tones taking in air slowly before
each one. If the ir doesn't feel like it went where it was supposed to go,
don't play the note. Stop, exhale, relax, and try again (even going back to
square one and lying down again). Remember, trying too hard causes anxiety
and anxiety tends to cause shallow breathing and shallow breathing for any
wind player is wrong.

Accept the fact that it will take some time before correct breathing becomes
second nature for you. It really is something that has to be learned.

Once again, I'm not sure that your incorrect breathing is causing what you
call "pressure in your head". That sounds more like a sinus condition
possibly caused by back pressure at the reed and mouthpiece. Maybe someone
else has experienced this condition and has some ideas on how to overcome it.
Good luck with the marching band.

John Roman