Breathing and air flow

Encourage learners to breathe freely with increased capacity, duration and control, focusing particularly on breathing when playing pieces.

Help learners to match their breathing with the musical phrases and character of the piece, e.g. a quick intake of breath when appropriate.

Ask learners to vocalise phrases before playing, noting their shape.

Introduce a rhythm game: over eight beats, play seven crotchets plus one crotchet rest; 15 quavers plus one quaver rest, etc. Crotchet mm.= 72.

Ask learners to play long notes in quick succession, with a quick breath in between.