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Circular Breathing

Author: autumnsilence
Date: 2008-07-12 07:30

I remember a few years ago in middle school, my band teacher explained how when she was in college for music, they were highly encouraged to learn 'circular breathing'.

For those of you who dont know what that is exactly... (The person inhales fully and begins to exhale and blow. When the lungs are nearly empty, the last volume of air is blown into the mouth, and the cheeks are inflated with this air. Then, while still blowing this last bit of air out by allowing the cheeks to deflate, the person must very quickly fill the lungs by inhaling through the nose prior to running out of the air in the mouth. If done correctly, by the time the air in the mouth is nearly exhausted the person can begin to exhale from the lungs once more, ready to repeat the process again.

Physiologically, the process is similar to drinking at a water fountain and taking a breath of air while water remains in the mouth, without raising the head from the water stream. The body "knows" to not allow water into the lungs. It is this same instinct that a circular breather uses to play his instrument.)

That is the way wikipedia explained it because it was hard to explain it well on my own. Anyway, i have always been curious about it and have tried to do it, and i know the technique and the way to do it, but the only problem i have is when you push out air with your cheeck muscles, i either dont push out enough air, or not fast enough because i cant make a sound yet during that time but i can do it almost well without an instrument, even though it makes it wayeasier.. has anyone else mastered this great talent??

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