AIR
1. Getting It
What is the best way to get air so that we can blow it through our wind instruments, or sing, or whistle? What I want to emphasize is something very simple, but very important. It is very simple, and each of us does it all day long, and without even thinking about it! And now that we have it in the “simple” category, let’s not complicate it---let’s keep it uncomplicated.
Why is it so simple? It is because proper inhaling of air to be used for playing our instruments, or for singing, or even whistling, is accomplished exactly the same way that we breathe, automatically, to maintain our life. There is nothing different from the way we’ve been doing it all day long, except that we may need more of it when we play a wind instrument, or sing. Now, we may decide to breathe more deeply than usual, then exhale some of the air before we play, for a particular purpose. Or we might want to breathe deeply, exhale completely, and take a smaller fresh breath. We can fill or “un-fill” as much and often as we wish, but we should not change that simple method of breathing.
Keeping the inhalation “simple” means that we should not close off the nose when we inhale. This is counter-productive, involves tensing musculature, which should remain relaxed during the inhalation/exhalation process. Try it. With your nose open you will note how comfortable, easy and relaxing it is to inhale. When you involve the nasal passage during the inhalation process it may seem almost too easy! But please accept this little gift from God---it is meant to be easy…and simple.
I dislike expressing yet another negative thought, but I think it is necessary at this point. Please bear with me. Thank you. Here it is: The musician should not drop the jaw to inhale. It is a meaningless motion and decreases the ease of inhaling and is totally unnecessary and disturbing* to the process of inhalation, which should be as easy and relaxing as any of our “daily” breathing. We want to keep it very simple.
To recapitulate: Inhale and exhale the same way you usually do---and do not make any extra motions. Isn’t that easy? I hope that this is like a “breath of fresh air” to your music making. Have a good day. Chester
*It disturbs the placement of the mouthpiece, too---just before you play, and that’s not a very nice thing to do. Tends to make little “nicks” in the notes, and contributes to other, more serious, sonic improprieties. Ouch.