Klarinet Archive - Posting 000387.txt from 1997/02

From: "Fogle, Bill" <bill.fogle@-----.com>
Subj: breathing in etudes
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 10:57:10 -0500

It's been a while since I posted a few remarks about breathing. There were
a couple of responses mainly about endurance in an orchestral situation
where the music demanded it. I guess I was thinking then, and still am,
about breathing in the music I play----solo etudes.

I've been playing for over five years (self-taught, etc.) and could never
"teach" myself breathing. I've come to think of breathing as the main issue
in performing (as I know "performing": sitting and blowing the clarinet for
hours mostly on weekends). My tone, my phrasing, my attitude seem affected
by where I am in my breathing: full-lunged, in the middle, or desperately
out of breath. How can I stay on top of my breathing in unbroken etude
playing? Circular breathing (like reedmaking) seems too much of a learning
curve/committment. Anybody want to ramble on about breathing in solo etude
(read: pages of music) playing? Cheers, Bill Fogle.