Klarinet Archive - Posting 000189.txt from 2000/12
From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net> Subj: Re: [kl] Breathing Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 13:51:52 -0500
I was always taught to breath by opening mouth and to consciously expand
stomach (diaphragm) simultaneously. A pretty normal teaching method.
Eight years ago, I went to see Peter Howes, a retired player, but still
teaching, and he opened my eyes to breathing thru` the nose, (if you get my
drift).
Breathing generally thru` the nose is not possible a lot of the time. One
can only "sniff" up a very small amount of air, in a minute moment,
(sometimes we need to top up in perhaps a 1/4 second). One can take in quite
a lot of air in that time thru` the mouth. Try it. So thru` the nose can not
be practical all the time.
However, if you take the trouble, without holding your clarinet, to try both
ways, then analyse what state of relaxation or tenseness your body has
assumed at the point of beginning to play, this should be of considerable
help in <how> you are sounding, viz. relaxed or tense.
Try it - Stand without holding instrument, close eyes, and "smell a flower".
With mouth closed, breath in very slowly thru` nose, doing the usual
things/method with <where> you are directing the air to, - diaphragm?.
When you are "full", stay there for a second and experience the completely
relaxed state of mind and body.
Now try the other way breathing in thru` mouth. Stand up as before, and with
open mouth, draw in as much air as possible quickly, and you will experience
momentarily a mind and body that in full of tension. We cannot avoid this
situation sometimes if the music does not have many breathing places. But
when the music <does> allow us to breath more naturally, perhaps a minimum
of 2 bars resting, then try using the whole of those 2 bars to take your
breath in slowly thru` the nose - "smell a flower." It keeps you relaxed, it
keeps you in control, and it will no doubt help your playing to generally
gain excellence.
I have found these two ways to be a great help to me.
Best,
Tony W.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subject: Re: [kl] Breathing
> on 12/3/00 11:11 AM, avrham galper wrote:
>
> >This is one sequence that can be used.
> >
> >The other one which I used to practice going down to rehearsal is this:
> >
> >1) Exhale the air to a slow count of 4. Push the stomach in.
> >
> >2) Do not breathe for another count of 4.
> >
> >3) Breathe to count of 4. The lungs, hungry for air, will make the
> >stomach move outward.
> >This also to a count of slow 4.
> >
> >4) When you have enough air, hold it for 4 beats. Then let the air out
> >to a count of 4.
> >
> >I was told that Yoga people also use this.
>
> There are about half a dozen breathing exercises in Andrew Weil's book
> "Spontaneous Healing". They're also in "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health",
> but scattered throughout the various chapters. I use four of these
> exercises on a daily basis.
>
> The one above is modified as follows:
>
> Breathe in 4 counts (through the nose)
> Hold seven counts
> Breathe out 8 counts (through the mouth - purse the lips a necessary)
>
> David
>
> David Niethamer
> Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
> dnietham@-----.edu
> http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/
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