Aspects of breathing in clarinet playing

Abstract

Breathing is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of clarinet playing. Its usual function is adapted to sustain an airstream suitable for efficient sound production, while still maintaining the oxygen supply to the body. There are many aspects of tone production which are influenced by breathing: the control of dynamics, the length of phrasing and the attack and articulation of notes in clarinet playing. An understanding of breathing from physiological, practical and abstract points of view can therefore provide knowledge and awareness of the most basic element of creating sound through the clarinet. This study discusses the physiology of respiration and its application to clarinet playing. The role of teaching and different approaches to breathing are examined: and more specific aspects such as circular breathing, are examined: and more specific aspects such as circular breathing, the long-term effects of forced respiration and ways of achieving optimum levels of efficiency in breathing are mentioned. Several medical textbooks are of use to a study of this kind. Within the field of physiology, there is a great deal of information about respiration. Show more