Klarinet Archive - Posting 000269.txt from 1995/07

From: Bob Kreisa <bkreisa@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: from a beginner
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 1995 15:39:59 -0400

I'm probably way off, but maybe it's not really your breathing. I had an
ear infectionfluid in the ear (just in time for soloensemble) last
March and it caused pressure in my head. Just an idea.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abby Kreisa
bkreisa@-----.edu

On Wed, 26 Jul 1995, John Roman wrote:

> 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
>

   
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