Klarinet Archive - Posting 000831.txt from 2000/11

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Song and Wind (was Article: Breathing and Support)
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 10:45:39 -0500

Anthony Taylor asked:

<<<Could you explain what you mean by "weight lifting" exercises?>>>

Obviously, nothing with weights (unless you consider the little ball in
the spirometer a "weight"). It's an analogy to what a football player
would do to get in shape for a game; while they spend a lot of time
playing football, they also spend a great deal of time in the weight
room getting the body stronger so as to become a more effective player.

Mr. Jacobs thought that the best device for training a student to use
all available air was not necessarily a tuba. So he invented/adapted
other devices to focus the student on using all of the air available in
the lungs, in the hope that this would translate back to better tuba
playing.

<<<Do wind players need more strength or more efficiency in their air,
if you had to choose one?>>>

I *hope* the answer is efficiency -- I'm not getting any younger, and
probably not going to get much stronger as time goes by. I suspect it
to be so, moreover. Two observations:

First, an analogy to golf. On a good day, I am a bad golfer; I hit a 7
iron about 120 yards on my best swing. My wife's golf instructor is
quite literally a little old lady -- over 70 years old, and perhaps a
smidgen over five feet tall. She can hit her 7 iron about 170 yards.
Now either she's a whole lot stronger than I am (which I suppose is
possible, but I sincerely doubt it) or her swing is a whole lot more
efficient than mine. I'll vote efficient.

Second, look to some of our trumpet playing friends, whose reliance on
air is perhaps a quantum greater than ours. Bud Herseth, Doc Severinsen
and Maynard Ferguson are all considerably over 70. I've heard all of
them in person within the last two years; all gave stunning
performances. I suspect that they're not in the same physical condition
that they were half a century ago . . . but they still know how to
breathe. =20

So remember -- breathing is important. Don't forget to do it.

kjf

. . . old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.

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