Breathing (for help with solo)

[sakuramimato]

I''ve been doing chorale studies in
class lately and have noticed that my air support diminishes after four bars and
my sound starts to waver, tone flattens, then the sound diminishes due to a lack
of air. The tempo is usually around or under 60 bps since that''s the common
nature of chorale music, and breaks usually happen after four measures in 4/4
time. Do you have any tips on how to build air support and lung capacity? I have
a solo that I want to have polished by March 24 (spring concert). It''s the
oboe''s second solo in [i]Pilatus: The Mountain of Dragons[/i] by Steven
Reineke. I have the notes and rhythms down, but when it comes to dynamic
contrast, my lungs can''t hold up to the requirements. The tempo is marked as
Andante, Rubato, and the first line lasts for four measures while the second
lasts for five with a ritard. The only rest given is an 8th rest before the
first note of the second line, and a transition from mezzo forte to forte and
vice versa go throughout the whole solo, so that is also added to my current
obstacle. Thank you for your help and time.

[Kim]

We have a breath builder here. I am not
sure if you could get one in time for your concert but you might find one at a
local medical supply shop and that would be quicker than getting one online.
Also the thread below had some good ideas when this subject came up previously.
Kim
http://www.fluteland.com/idealbb/view.a ... EC3E52C1F1}

[ick27]

Breathing is important to work on, but
you can only push your lung capacity so far. What distinguishes a player with
fantastic air control from an ordinary player is blowing. Some players can make
great sound that projects using very little air. Obviously this isn't easy to
do, but long tones are certainly a way to improve. Play notes for as long as you
possibly can, starting with a full breath each time. Try playing with your best
tone and listen closely the whole time. Then try to use less air while
maintaining that same quality of sound. One aspect of this is to position the
appeture closer to the blowing edge. This can make the sound thin if too much
embouchure hole is covered, but you can get better air focus. I'm not an
expert, but I do think these are helpful thoughts at least... I'm sure you'll
do a great job with your solo, you are obviously working on all the right
things! -Bradford

[sara_mrvica]

i too run out of breath easily when i
play my flute...[:((] when i play flight of the bumblebee, my breathing just
disappeears at the wrong time! argh! [:blackeye:]