 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: DennisCheng
Date: 2006-11-29 12:54
Hi. How long does it take to improve yr air capacity? i kind of lost my motivation to practise long notes. I want to know whether if u stopped growing, one can still able to improve his air capacity? I can only last for a note for 10 secs havent be able to improve for a long time.
Normally, i practise long notes with a empty stomach because my tutor said it will help to train my diaphragm better. i stand up during my long notes practice and practise abt 20 mins daily.Is it too little?
Silly Qn--> increasing air capacity= increasing size of lungs?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2006-11-29 13:14
Well, there are a couple of tools that you can use to help build air capacity and power. One of which is called a Power Lung
http://www.powerlung.com/
But in general the more you practice the better. And you have a tutor, so he can show you how to practice in a correct manor.
There are also breathing excercises that many drum corps use and many brass players. i myself having been in a drum corp know some of these techniques, they are very difficult to explain with words. Basically has to do with moving you air around inside your lungs while holding your breathe. And there are others where you breathe in for 4 counts, and out for 4. Then you decrease the numbers to 4 and 3, then maybe 3 and 3, then 3 and 2, etc. til you get to 1 and 1. When you do this, your throat should be very open and relaxed, and you should inhale/exhale for the full # of counts. And if at anytime you get lightheaded stop immeadiately, and breathe normaly to get back to normal.
Neal
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-29 13:16
Remove the bell, slip a party balloon over the tenon (inflate it "by hand" some times before, else it's too hard) and inflate it with mouthpiece and fingers on.
Free leak detector and great finger tactile training included. And does build up diaphragm and lip strength.
As it is silent, can be practiced in the wee hours of the morning...
To answer your question - huge lungs can, obviously, house a lot of air. But IMHO the trick is to efficiently use the air (get a nice tone with as little air as possible), not necessarily to concentrate on sheer volume.
(fixed typo)
--
Ben
Post Edited (2006-11-29 14:35)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-11-29 13:21
"Silly Qn--> increasing air capacity= increasing size of lungs?"
Not a silly question at all, actually a very interesting question!
Measure the length of time a small (probably female) clarinet player can play without taking a breath.
Then do the same for some huge beefy male clarinet player from one of the army bands.
Can the man play for longer than the woman?
I've no idea! Given that there are plenty of accomplished women players, and most of them don't look like 300lb gorillas, I'd guess that huge lung capacity isn't that important.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LesterV
Date: 2006-11-29 14:31
Medical doctors use a relatively inexpensive plastic device to measure lung capacity. Your doctor should be able to determine if your lung capacity is in the normal range. These devices are also used in hospitals to both measure and improve lung capacity and are retained by the patient. You may be able to obtain one from someone that has recently been a hospital patient.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-11-29 16:40
The main thing is making the most of what you already have.
Here are two exercises that work for me.
1. As you inhale, expand your abdomen at the sides and back as well as in front. Stand near a wall or chair, as you're likely to get hyperventilated and dizzy.
2. And from the excellent flutist Chris Krueger, stand and bend forward at the waist until your body is horizontal, forcing all the air out. Close your mouth and sinus pasage and stand up. Your chest will be high, your abdomen will be relaxed and there will be a vacuum in your lungs. Hold this for about 2 seconds and then open your mouth, letting the vacuum pull the air in, plunging down to your hips.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2006-11-29 16:43)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Detru Cofidin
Date: 2006-11-29 22:38
Neal is right! Do the breathing exercise. Long tones have never helped me improve air capacity, as they're more for embouchure building. Just make sure when you do breathing exercises that there is an even flow of air when you exhale and inhale, and don't hold your breath (you're not going to stretch it out!) When done inhaling, immediately start to exhale. They also say that if your thighs are pointing downwards while sitting, there is much more room for the diaphragm to work. The empty stomach idea is logical, but I think what he means is to not have too much food in you.
Nicholas Arend
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: FDF
Date: 2006-11-29 22:48
I posted this on another thread, but it still works....
Lie with your back flat on the floor, your legs shoulder length apart, your body in perfect alignment, with your head straight. Place your hand on your stomach and take a deep breath on a count of four while pumping up your stomach. Your hand will rise. Hold your breath for a count of eight. Then, slowly release the air on another count of eight using muscles at the bottom of your stomach. Visualize squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the bottom. Your hand on your stomach will go down; your muscles will support a sustained column of air. Breath deeply without raising your shoulders, but use your diaphragm. The way to assure you are using your diaphragm is by pumping up your stomach. Repeat and memorize this action sensation. There are other exercises that follow, but deep diaphragmatic breathing is the correct support you are seeking.
You should be able to sustain a breath of air for at least 1/2 a minute.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2006-11-29 23:08
Although these are great exercises, the obvious solution to this problem is to do what the olympic athletes do; drive up to a high elevation and run every day. And if you think that doesn't build up your stamina or lung support, you can always try doing other various exercises.
running a mile a day will keep the doctor away... that is unless you live in los angeles. good ol smog.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
