4
SECTION 2: Breathing to Play (Sing)
Much has been researched and written on the topic of breathing in
order to play a wind instrument. It is actually a rather controversial
subject among both professionals and educators – how to think of
the breath and how to teach the breath. Yet certain basic things are
pretty well agreed upon. Here are a few…
Some Essential Breathing Points
1. Our normal breathing pattern is a great starting point – it’s
naturally relaxed.
2. Because playing requires much more air, we must
expand
the inhalation while keeping that easy, relaxed manner.
Think of filling from the ‘bottom up’.
3. Sit (or stand) tall. Keep the throat open so the air can flow
freely. Think “oh”.
4.
Young Players:
The instrument should already be up to your
lips and ready to play
before
the inhalation. It is not
necessary to open your mouth really wide to get a full breath.
As you inhale, keep your lips positioned so that you are ready
to instantly play.
5. Make deep breathing exercises part of your practice (the
WindMaster
will help).
6. Be
breath-conscious
as you play, so that you make the most
of every breath.
7. Honor the breath. It’s the lifeblood of the sound and the music.
*In this manual, the words “to play” also mean “to sing”. Accordingly, the
“instrument” also refers to the “voice”
*)
