I have absolutely appalling breath control (nearly as bad as my spelling), I'm always running out of breath during a piece. I am ok if its something like a 4 bar phrase, but anymore than that and I feel like I'm going to suffocate from a lack of oxygen. I need to improve it because I have long semiquaver passages one of the pieces for my grade 6. Can anyone give me any pointers on improving this?

Helen x

use your diaphragm! try putting your hands on the lower half of your back and then if you can feel your back moving when you breathe, you're breathing correctly. at least, that's what my choir director at school says. however, as you're having trouble, you're probably not breathing the best way. what helped me was to try and imagine that your diaphragm is an elastic band. when you breathe in, the elastic band stretches. then when you breathe out, don't let it snap back into place but let the air out slowly, like you're easing a door shut or something. really concentrate on the air going out and the image of the elastic band/door easing back into place. I don't know whether this helps you, but I found that if you imagine that then it's often easier, because you're at least thinking of doing it right!
good luck,
charlotte

QUOTE

I have long semiquaver passages one of the pieces for my grade 6.

Is this the Bach 2nd movement?

See I'm not very good at breath control, and it feels like my lungs are caving in at the end of some phrases! Is that to do with the diaphragm as well? I think I am using my diaphragm though because I do lots of singing and clarinet playing, or do I need to change the way I breath???!

QUOTE (elmo @ Jan 14 2005, 06:32 PM)

I think I am using my diaphragm though because I do lots of singing and clarinet playing, or do I need to change the way I breath???!

probably not, if you're fine when singing or playing the clarinet. it must be something else. maybe you're not focusing the tone enough and excess air is gushing out?!

K thanks, I'll check that next time I play!

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Jan 14 2005, 05:26 PM)

QUOTE I have long semiquaver passages one of the pieces for my grade 6. Is this the Bach 2nd movement?

Yep!

Aha! Well I find myself panicking, do you mean from 40ish to the end really? Get your teacher to mark in breath marks. The piano plays crotchets and quavers so you have time to breathe

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Jan 14 2005, 07:55 PM)

Aha! Well I find myself panicking, do you mean from 40ish to the end really? Get your teacher to mark in breath marks. The piano plays crotchets and quavers so you have time to breathe

Yes, somewhere around there!
Aaah. I won't see my teacher until the beginning of february though.

Oh, well let me tell you where I have breath marks on mine, you don't have to use them all.

Bar 40 - at crotchet rest
Bar 44 - 5 notes in (after
Bar 48 - after crotchet, before semiquaver rest
Bar 50 - (if you need to) After G, just before the arpeggio starting on E begins
Bar 52 - After first F#2 in bar, before arpeggio on D
Bar 54 - 5 notes in after A2
Bar 56 - at crotchet rest
Bar 60 - after the quaver E, before the slurred A-G#
Bar 62 - after tied D, before first G#
Bar 65 - after tied C, before B2
Bar 67 - after bottom E
Bar 68 - at crotchet rest
Bar 72 - after the slurred semi quavers, and the first G of the next semiquavers.
Bar 75 - after dotted crotchet Bb
Bar 77 - after dotted crotchet C
Bar 80 - at quaver rest
Bar 83, after tied E
Bar 85 - after tied E
Bar 89 - after first note - G natural
Bar 90 - after crotchet C

Hope this helps

Wow thanks Nicki! I was a bit confused as to where to break it up a bit for a breath but not to disrupt the flow of it.

Is that OK? MY teacher said as as the piano part was playing crotchets and quavers during the semiquaver runs there is time to take breaths.