 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris Purdy
Date: 1999-11-01 02:23
Hi all,
As you all know, I have just gotten back into a practice schedule after a long (10 year) abscence. I am noticing that my tone is good, but my breath support is bad, and I'm having trouble finding the correct place to take a breath. Its been so long that I dont remember if there are any exercises to improve breath support? Also, are there any hard and fast rules as to when it is appropriate to take a breath during a piece?
- Chris
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-11-01 03:08
No hard and fast rules but a four measure phrase is common. Think of the line as a vocal line. Where would you breath if you were singing it?
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-11-01 17:51
Also, in general, breath after the "long note". Some phrases that don't start right on the bar line have pickup notes. Breath before the phrase (before the pickup notes). If in the middle of a phrase, there is a longer note than those surrounding it, after the long note is a good condidate for breath. Just "cheat" the long note a bit.
As for building breath support, play long tones - every day.
Kevin Bowman
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Author: Tobin Coleman
Date: 1999-11-01 18:33
Chris,
Playing those long tones daily will help a lot, but your overall physical condition has the most to do with your ability to sustain breath support. Any kind of aerobic exercise that at first gets you out of breath and then, as you get in shape, improves your "wind," will improve your breath support on the clarinet. It can happen pretty quickly if you get a chance to exercise a lot.
So will breathing at the proper intervals, as you note. It's hard to support the note you're playing if your body needs air and wants you to stop and take a breath. The two are intertwined.
Tobin
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-11-01 20:53
There's also a good exercise that is taught in Yoga - and you can do this anywhere, anytime:
At a "tempo" of about 60 beats per minute (1 beat per second), inhale over a period of 4 counts, then exhale over 16 counts. This helps you relax (as in Yoga) and make you think about controlling your breath and the muscles involved in breathing. This is even more effective if you are doing some form of mild exercise like walking.
Kevin Bowman
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Author: The Lip
Date: 1999-11-06 02:06
Before you pick up your horn do this exercise. Lean over in you chair and let your head hand as close to the floor as possible. Take three deep breaths and fill up completely. Now sit straight up and while holding your shoulders down, fill your lungs from the bottom up. Your chest should rise and bring your head back to fill up completly. Practice until it becomes habit. Do this exercise when you're stressed and you will release endorffins that make you feel better. Cheaper than drugs.
Enjoy
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