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Breathing

Author: PK
Date: 2002-01-24 18:39

Hi, everyone. I am a beginning clarinet player, and I have no idea as to how I should breathe correctly. Can anyone explain how in words? Is there some way that an observer could tell me when I am doing it RIGHT?

Thanks for any help!

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RE: Breathing

Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-01-24 19:07

PK -

A couple of days ago, Hiroshi posted a link to a GREAT article, with drawings, at http://www.btinternet.com/~eastop/html/breath.htm .

Read that and then ask more questions.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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RE: Breathing

Author: PK
Date: 2002-01-24 19:18

Thanks! I did see that article and studied it (it's got quite a lot of information in it!)

However, I was told "You aren't breathing properly", and I'm still not sure I know how to tell when I AM breathing properly- there isn't any way to test myself, while playing. That was why I asked whether an observer tell when I am breathing properly.

I appreciate the help!

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RE: Breathing

Author: diz
Date: 2002-01-24 21:36

Um - your teacher should be your first port of call when it comes to breathing. If you're self learning, which is great, then I recommend you take a couple of lessons with a professional teacher.

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RE: Breathing

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-01-25 04:26

Lie on the floor on your back and breath. Note that your shoulders don't move.
Note that while horizontal you can either... breath in making your stomach rise, or breath in making your chest rise, or both at once.
Use both, but especially note that your stomach lowers as you breath out.

Now do the same while standing, making sure that your stomach moves out as you breath in and back flat as you breathe out. In this way you use your stomach muscles, i.e. abdominals (do NOT call this a diaphragm!) to control the air pressure while you are playing.

Your chest and sides (and even back) may expand and contract also, but the shoulders do not move. Watch a professional singer.

The person commenting on your breathing MAY have been observing how you breath the air in through your mouth.
If you have time to breath in slowly, do so through your nose.
If you have to breathe in very quickly maintain your lip position above and below the mouthpiece and breath in through the SIDES of your mouth.

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RE: Breathing

Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-01-25 05:42

This memo of late Arnold Jacobs(CSO tubist) master class may include an inspiration on breathing. http://www.missouri.edu/~cceric/mclass/wind1.html

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