 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Becky E
Date: 2000-03-11 05:22
IS it true that the correct way to breath (when playing clarinet) is from the diaphram? Do you have any suggested techniques for expanding lung capacity? I am having a very difficult time playing Poulenc's Romanze from his Sonata at such the slow tempo and sustaining all the notes fully. Help!!
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-03-11 12:47
Yes, you should breathe from the diaphragm when you play; actually, ideally you should breathe from the diaphragm all the time (this is what study in yoga teaches). What most people tend to do is breathe from the chest--you take a breath in, and your chest goes forward. When you take a breath from the diaphragm, however, your stomach goes forward, your ribs expand out to the side and slightly to the back--you get a LOT more air this way! The best way to get the feeling for breathing from the diaphragm is to lie on your back on the floor with a book on your stomach; when you're breathing properly, your back will touch the floor at every point and the book will rise noticeably. Then, you need to try to duplicate this feeling when you're sitting and standing, which is harder. I found that easier to learn if you wear pants with a noticeable waistline--jeans worked best for me. If you find that you're already breathing properly, you can increase breath capacity by doing pyramid scales. Set your metronome at quarter note equals 60 for this exercise. Start, for example, on the low E at the bottom of your range, and play the E major scale by stages. You start by playing E for a half note, F# for a half note, then back to E for a whole note. Then, play E for a half note, F# for a half note, G# for a half note, F# for a half note, and E for a whole note, etc.--take a break between these, but only a brief one (15 seconds or so.) Continue working up the scale, concentrating on breathing in properly at the beginning of each scale and controlling the air flow once you start the scale. You'll be amazed at how much difference this makes! Hope all this helps you out.
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