Breath Marks

[dancingflutist3000]

Some people follow them religiously, others feel they''re
a waste of time. . .what do you think? I don''t always wait to breath when
I''m supposed to [:knockout:] but I try not to ignore them completely though I
do wonder, if you can squeeze in a tiny breath so fast the music isn''t
changed (especially in a band) what''s the hurt of breathing outside of a
breath mark?

[Kristin]

I try and follow breath marks, but don't kill myself over
it. Personally (obviously), I think that's the best way to go. Especially if
you're newer to the flute or any wind instrument because you have to train your
body to hold in and blow out large amounts of air and you won't be able to do
as much so soon. And just like everything else, different people can hold
different amounts of air and blow out different amounts and expand their
breathing at different paces, so breath marks aren't ideal for everyone. Just
my 2 cents [;)]

[flute girl]

If you take nice full breaths on the breath marks then you
won't need to breath outside them. My teacher calls taking short breaths when
your not supposed to "hiccup breaths"[::)]

[embum79]

I treat breath marks as a guide. Most of the time they
work, but not always. And I often need breaths in between, so I have to be
creative. What your "audience" hears is what is important.. they can't see
where your breath marks are.. they won't call you on it! [:)] If you use all
the breath marks but compromise your sound trying to make them all, it's going
to sound a lot worse than if you creatively enter your own breath marks and make
a great sound. You just have to be very aware of the phrases and flow of the
music.

[FluteDiddy]

Sounds like Emily has a good plan. Works for me. First
rule is dont run out of air.

[dancingflutist3000]

"Hiccup breaths?" that's cute. My director just calls
them breathing when you're not supposed to lol [;)]