Klarinet Archive - Posting 000251.txt from 2000/12

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Breathing repost for Martin Marks.
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 05:10:19 -0500

Marty,
Here`s my original text. I can most obviously understand your concerns with
nasal stuffiness complaints. In severe cases, I`m sure you would agree that
the sensible thing to do would be to discuss with the student, in not
continuing with <any> wind instrument, but to move in another direction,
i.e. strings or percussion etc.
However, under any conditions, be assured that I am not advocating a
complete change to breathing <only> thru` the nose. That is plainly
impossible, and silly. A guess at the ratio of usage of nose compared to
mouth I would say at 20% to 80% for those who do find this dual way to be
helpful. In the end we are all different. Some have big noses! - some have
big mouths! :<(O) Don`t say a word Marty - button it!!!!!!
Best,
Tony W.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Breathing

> 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 is 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.

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