When you breathe normally, you usually let the air in through your nose and expel it using only your lungs. For those who play a wind instrument this way of breathing could create some problems because it does not allow you to keep a note for too long and therefore they are unable to perform some musical parts composed for this type of instrument. Circular breathing, since it allows you to exhale and inhale at the same time, offers these players more possibilities. Although it is an almost new method for the Western world, it has been practiced for several centuries by other cultures; probably, its origins are due to the aboriginal peoples of Australia.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Method
Step 1. Fill your cheeks with air and inhale and exhale through your nose
In this way you will have a second air reserve that you can use when that of the lungs runs out.
Even if you look like a squirrel, this method will allow you to function as if you were a human bagpipe, as you will use your cheeks as an additional supply of air
Step 2. Expel the air you hold in your mouth
Close your jaws, but leave a small opening between your lips and use your cheek muscles to slowly push the air out. Continue to breathe deeply through your nose. Control the movement so that the air is driven out in 3-5 seconds.
- There is no unanimity on the part of the experts on this step. Some recommend keeping the cheeks puffy all the time and repeatedly filling them with the air stored in the lungs. Others suggest that it would be more natural to let the cheeks deflate while exhaling through the mouth.
- Try both methods to figure out which is most comfortable and effective when playing your wind instrument.
Step 3. Learn to exhale from the lungs when the air in your mouth runs out
Since you will have continuously inhaled through your nose, your lungs will be saturated with air by the time your mouth has emptied. You can change your air supply by closing your soft palate, which means blocking the passage between your mouth and nose.
Step 4. Fill the cheeks with air again
You should do this just before emptying your lungs completely so that you have time to refill them while using the air held in your mouth.
Step 5. Repeat these operations over and over
Once you learn how to perform them in a continuous process, you will never have to pause to catch your breath while playing.
Part 2 of 3: Practice Using the Technique
Step 1. Practice spitting out the water
By expelling a trickle of water from your mouth, you will have a clearer idea of this technique, partly because water is visible unlike air. Also, by learning how circular breathing works through this exercise, you will learn how to apply the force necessary to play your instrument.
- Fill your mouth with as much water as possible;
- As you inhale and exhale through your nose, spit out the water into the sink in a smooth, continuous stream.
Step 2. Use a straw
A great way to practice is to squeeze a straw between your lips to mimic the position of your mouth on your wind instrument. Place a straw in a glass of water and blow continuously as you follow the system used to practice circular breathing, until bubbles are produced in the water.
Step 3. Make vocalizations
Probably the circular breathing method was discovered by those who played the didgeridoo (an ancient wind instrument used by the aborigines of Australia) to produce long and sustained notes. Those who teach this instrument suggest that vocalizations facilitate the learning of circular breathing.
When the air retained in the mouth passes to exploit that stored in the lungs, emit the sound "HA" aloud
Step 4. Try the bit technique on your instrument
While blowing through a straw makes it easier for you to learn the circular breathing method, you don't have a clear idea of how it will work when you apply it while playing. By using the embouchure of your instrument, you will realize if you can play the notes without having to worry about playing correctly.
- If you experience sharp interruptions in the sound flow, you probably need to wait until the air supply you are using has completely exhausted before moving on to the other. It passes from the mouth to the lungs and vice versa before having alternately consumed all the air contained in the mouth and lungs.
- This exercise is also useful because it will help you understand how much pressure you need to exert with your lips in order to effectively apply the circular breathing technique.
Part 3 of 3: Practice the Technique with a Tool
Step 1. Try this technique as much as you can
Don't wait to apply it to your instrument until you have mastered it. The only way to improve is to practice, so set up your instrument as soon as you can play sounds using only the bit.
Step 2. Practice until you have acquired the right mastery
Don't start with difficult songs or parts. Instead, start off with just one note, then move on to a series of easy, repetitive exercises. By doing so, you can gradually refine your technique.
It is easier to practice circular breathing with some musical registers than with others. You will probably find it easier to start with exercises that allow you to play notes in the highest part of the sonic range allowed by your instrument
Step 3. Practice every day
Circular breathing can be mentally and physically strenuous at first, so you will likely need to measure your efforts. However, this doesn't mean that you only need to practice once in a while. Rather, during the learning period you have to practice it regularly - for example, three times a day - for a few minutes.
Advice
- As you practice circular breathing, focus on using your diaphragm. It is something more and must not negatively affect the correct breathing mechanism.
- While exercising, don't think about switching between air supplies, but do each operation automatically. Consider this technique as a continuous process.
- When you start learning the circular breathing method, don't try to do all the steps at once. Get used to the first step, then the first and second and so on.
- Keep in mind that you will have to dedicate months, if not years, to perfecting this technique. Surely it took you a long time to learn to play your instrument, and as far as circular breathing is concerned, there is no difference.
