10
The Design
The large
WindMaster
has 25 pegs; the small
WindMaster
has 15
pegs. The color groups make it easy to measure the results on
each breath. This measurement is by no means scientific, but it can
certainly give you a sense of your air capacity and flow.
The
WindMaster
is designed with two different workout levels (and
once again, you can also make it easier or harder by a slight tilting
of the unit). As you hold it in front of you:
•
The
easier
side has the yellow pegs to your left.
•
The
harder
side has the green pegs to your left.
Four Important Benefits of the WindMaster
1. Isolates the breath.
The
WindMaster
enables younger students
especially, to freely practice the breath without the preoccupation
(and distraction) of playing the instrument, reading music, etc.
They can focus their energy on breath development alone.
2. Warm-up breathing muscles.
Typically, students think of the
warm-up
as getting the embouchure going, as well as the fingers,
slide arm, and instrument itself. Warming up and stretching the
breathing muscles is essential, but is often ignored. Even 10
breaths on the
WindMaster
before beginning to play will make a
significant difference. Students should be encouraged to do this
before band or choir (and before their personal practice as well)!
Warming up the breathing muscles is an invaluable habit to teach.
3. Jump-starts the airflow.
At the moment of use, the
WindMaster
will ‘jump-start’ one’s airflow. It’s easy to forget to
consistently take full inhalations. Even a few breaths will jolt the
air stream. Consider the effect on a smoldering fireplace when a
bellows is used. It gives the fire new life.
4. Builds respiratory muscles.
Breath work is a form of physical
conditioning. With regular use, the
WindMaster
exercises one’s
breathing mechanism, increasing elasticity, developing the
breathing muscles, and producing greater air capacity and
efficiency.
