 The Clarinet BBoard
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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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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-07-12 09:34
When I started circular breathing I had better success with a softer reed than I usually used. Over time, you get better and you can do it on normal reeds but try it soft first.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-12 14:46
Let me first say that I can’t circular breath. Although I can do it without a clarinet in my mouth, nothing works once I have it in. Also, I’ve never really made an attempt to learn. It does seem to be something that would be good to know how to do but not necessary.
I had a student a few years ago that tried to teach my studio how to do this and I encouraged them to try to learn it while they were young. He said it took him about six months to get to be able to do it and he had to practice doing it every day. He suggested beginning practicing with a straw and a glass of water. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
(Listen to a little Mozart, live recording, no circular breathing though)
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Author: sharper
Date: 2008-07-14 19:03
I just got "Benny Goodman's Clarinet Method" for my daughter and it states under Breath Control: "Inhaling should be done by pushing out the diaphragm thereby filling the lower part of the lungs. Exhaling should be done by pressing inward with the muscles across the diaphragm. This method, rather than expanding the chest, promotes better breath control and also minimizes fatigue. To inhale while playing, take in the air at the corners of the mouth, being careful to retain the embouchure."
It soulds like deep abdominal breathing, like in the martial arts.
How much have things changed? His method was to take air in from the sides of the mouth while modern examples have air taken in through the nose.
I think it was Dizzy Gillespie that stored air in his cheeks, and he started from a young age, and later in life his cheeks became oddly inflated when he blew and said it was from storing air in his cheeks. That seems like a way not to do it.
Is there a different way for different people or a real set standard?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-07-14 20:05
Ultimately as long as you are able to take a proper deep breath HOW it enters your body is irrelevant.
I believe, however, that you are confusing bits of data: "[Goodman's] method was to take air in from the sides of the mouth while modern examples have air taken in through the nose."
The style of inspiration is not either-or as your statement implies.
The "modern examples" I presume are those who are circular breathing. For 99% of us that is the only way to take air in while blowing air out. If those modern clarinetists were not circular breathing I would bet that they breathe through the mouth in some manner. (I did have a teacher who took in air through the corners of his mouth while simultaneously blowing into the clarinet...and sorry, before you ask, I have no idea how.)
Also, there are some individuals who oppose circular breathing BECAUSE it impedes their ability to support the sound properly. The first half of proper support comes from the proper breath. Those who circular breath well will probably argue against this opinion.
Last, Gillespie's cheeks did always inflate an astronomical amount...but he also was taking a deep breath as I recall. So although the puffing of the cheeks was notable it was not a replacement for proper technique.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-07-14 20:16)
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Author: Eddydavik
Date: 2008-07-14 22:22
I can circular breathe, but in doing so uses a lot more energy in your cheek muscles, causing them to get tired faster.
So yeah, I do the air and cheek method (I guess). As I progressed in the technique though, the amount of cheek that puffed out has decreased.
However it's done though, the trick is to not interrupt the tone being produced while commencing said breathing technique.
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