Breathing and air flow
- Understand the physiology of breathing
- Breathe in freely and produce a controlled column of air with sufficient capacity, duration and control to meet the demands of the music
When learners play pieces, ensure that their breathing matches the musical phrases and character of the piece, e.g. a quick intake of breath when appropriate to the musical phrase.
Ask learners to play the rhythm exercise (introduced in programme 4) at a faster tempo, i.e. over eight beats, play seven crotchets plus one crotchet rest; 15 quavers plus one quaver rest, etc. at crotchet mm. = 120.
Continue to use long notes as warm-up exercises, increasing the duration.
From time to time, use larger teaching spaces, e.g. school hall, in order to encourage and develop musical projection.
Good breath control is an integral part of performance.
Particular repertoire can be used to develop the demands of advanced breathing techniques, e.g. Schumann, Fantasy Pieces for clarinet; romances for oboe; most baroque repertoire.
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