The technique of breathing.
Two factors affect how one breathes in order to play a wind instrument-first the (0).......(EXPEND) -> expenditure of breath needed to make a note and second the (PRESS) required. For instance in oboe playing, (BREATH) is a major problem, as the instrument uses a small amount of air at a high pressure and this is true to (VARY) degrees with most other wind instruments.
There is one instrument, however, which is altogether more gentle in technique, the (RECORD) This is an old-fashioned form of flute, blown from one end, which was out of fashion for almost two centuries.
The recorder uses as much air and at as low a pressure as is needed for reading aloud or soft singing. The (TAKE)of air must not be much more rapid than exhalation.
It could be said that in playing the recorder one breathes naturally. Recorder playing is just (NATURE) enough to cause breathlessness or (DIGEST), if it is indulged in immediately after eating or drinking.
Breathing for recorder playing, as for singing and playing other wind instruments, should be from the bottom of the lungs, that is the diaphragm. It is easy to fall into the bad habit of (SNATCH) a small amount of breath in quickly with the throat-that is, gasping-when a breath has to be taken during a very short interval in the music; it is vital however that even when time allows only a little (REPLENISH) of the lungs the (ACT) should come from the diaphragm. |
