 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jeeves
Date: 2009-06-05 23:30
Okay, I've been playing for some years now and I realized that when I play, my veins in my neck bulge out and it looks like blood pressure to my head increases. Even when I think I'm using enough breath support, this still happens. Is there something I'm doing wrong that my teacher has never corrected or is this normal for some players. It makes playing kind of uncomfortable and makes me look kind of weird too. If you don't think I'm providing breath support properly, how should I? Essentially, have any of you seen or experienced this, and if so, how could I correct it?
Jeeves
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-06-06 00:06
I have had some success with a different approach to breath support. It alleviates some of the pressure that is common in traditional breath support techniques. In a nutshell I expand on exhalation and contract on exhalation. I feel the stomach area coming in and up on exhalation. Many would advocate keeping the epigastric region out while playing. To me this caused an internal pressure with no significant benefits. Good luck
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-06-06 01:08
I agree with Arnold.
The abdomen expands when you inhale and contract when you exhale.
If you are only worried about how it looks, then you should not worry at all. If you are having any kind of pain or dizziness then you need to reevaluate things are maybe see a doctor.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-06-06 12:57
Another approach would be to work on relaxing when you play. Use only the muscles necessary to hold the clarinet, sit, produce your embouchure, etc. Everything else should be like jello!
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-06-06 15:18
Do you experience this when you are playing softly?
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-06-06 22:32
What strength of reed are you using. What mouthpiece?
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2009-06-07 22:32
"Am I breathing right?"
--Are you still alive? Well then, yes!
:-)
Post Edited (2009-06-07 22:33)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-06-07 23:19
Jeeves, I would suggest practicing on a soft reed for part of your practice sessons. Use a V12 #2 1/2 for a few minutes playing low register tones. Focus on relaxation in your playing. See if you can do this without bulging veins and neck. Please report back.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-06-08 04:25
There are pockets on one's neck that can be pressurized by blowing a horn. I've got 'em, and I look like I'm going to explode. No biggie, just individual variance --but exacerbated by blowing a horn.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-06-09 02:58
It's a bit difficult to tell what you are doing right or wrong without seeing you but you could try doing this, it might give you a good idea of what you should be doing to breath correctly.
Lie down on a flat surface and put a book, a visual aid, on your stomach. In a relaxed fashion just breath slow and deep and try to watch the book rise and fall. If you can do this and stay relaxed while taking big slow breaths and exhaling slowly then you are basically breathing correctly. Once you get into the habit of doing this then sit up and try to "copy" the feeling. Never "push" out your stomach mussels with pressure or tension. Look on my website for a more detailed article in "clarinet articles". ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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