 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-07-23 16:16
On a recent return from Hospital I brought home a plastic gadget, "an up-geh-pumpener", or some such thing that one blows into to increase lung pressure. The little ball goes up and down. My Doc's consideration was that I was a "shallow breather" a condition that many old geezers suffer from. I was only using the top part of my lungs. My solution, GET A BASS CLARINET. Today I read Gordon's post on the "wet sponge" syndrome. Sounded reasonable. Miss it did you? Allow me. Gordon said, in part: Author: Gordon (NZ) (---.xtra.co.nz)
Date: 07-23-01 09:15
.......For more air pressure you need strength in abdominal muscles. More blowing up balloons, then blow up water balloons, then blow up the long skinny ones - Ah that's a challenge for many!
Shout more. Cough more, Sneeze more......[THESE I DO VERY WELL}.....
More situps, or whatever they are called now. [I HATE EXERCISE}
Hang from a branch and repeatedly bring your knees to chest.[I"M LONG PAST THAT AGE]
If these muscles and your diaphragm are strong it is no problem to have somebody stand on your belly while you lie on your back on the floor with your mouth and throat open. [MY WIFE LIKED THIS PART. I WAS SHOUTING SO MUCH AT HER SHE ALSO OFFERED TO STAND ON MY HEAD]
Talk while they are standing there. [SURE!]
Thanks Gordon, this will be a help to all of us "shallow breathers", might even make getting through the break a little easier.
Bob A
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-07-23 19:46
I was "forced" to sit with the low brass at a sectionals rehersal recently. The guy who led us is a semi-pro and quite talented (which makes me wonder why the heck he's playing in a community band).
Most of the stuff he went over wasn't applicable to woodwinds, but he taught us a nifty exercise to increase our lung capacity. Here it is:
Take the biggest breath you can. Just as you finish filling your lungs, place the back of your hand over your mouth, creating a suction on your hand. Hold for a second then remove your hand and SUCK IN SOME MORE AIR. Then let it out in a controlled fashion.
The increase in your lung capacity is only incremental, but try doing it several times in a row. I followed his advice on doing this exercise 5 minutes a day, when I was sitting at work, etc. Zounds, it made a difference for me -- opened up some areas of my lungs that I never knew could fill up.
You should hear me scream when we do "Phantom of the Opera." And oh, it improves my tone on bass clarinet!
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Author: ~jerry
Date: 2001-07-23 22:26
Shout more. Cough more, Sneeze more......[THESE I DO VERY WELL}.....
.............................................................................................................................................I TOO, DO A BIT OF THIS
More situps, or whatever they are called now. [I HATE EXERCISE} ..............................................................................................................................................I TOO HATE EXCERCISE, BUT HAVE BEEN FORCED, OF LATE, TO DO THIS TO KEEP THE PUMP HEALTHY
Hang from a branch and repeatedly bring your knees to chest.[I"M LONG PAST THAT AGE]
.............................................................................................................................................I RECENTLY PAST THIS AGE MYSELF
If these muscles and your diaphragm are strong it is no problem to have somebody stand on your belly while you lie on your back
on the floor with your mouth and throat open. [MY WIFE LIKED THIS PART. I WAS SHOUTING SO MUCH AT HER SHE ALSO OFFERED TO STAND ON MY HEAD]
............................................................................................................................................I MIGHT TALK TO MY WIFE ABOUT THIS ONE TOO
Talk while they are standing there. [SURE!]
............................................................................................................................................I'LL BE I CAN DO THIS.......MY WIFE SAYS I NEVER SHUT UP.
BUT, BOB...........................what about the gadget you brought home???
~ jerry
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-07-24 00:51
Can't find the darn thing Jerry! Besides, it's obviously in the wrong key.
Bob A
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