Harness the power of the breath to enhance musical performance.
Sam Pilafian is a renowned American tuba soloist, best known for playing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He has recorded and performed with Pink Floyd and is the founder of the internationally acclaimed Empire Brass Quintet. In the mid-1970s, the virtuoso developed "The Breathing Gym" with fellow tubist Patrick Sheridan, a widely popular exercise system that maximizes lung potential for musical performance.
Full Breath
Most people use just 10 percent to 25 percent of their air when talking, and even athletes use only between 25 percent and 65 percent of lung capacity. However, wind-instrument players, such as the tubist, require up to 95 percent of the lung capacity, according to Pilafian and Sheridan. The techniques the duo detail in their books and DVDs help musicians expand lung capacity and develop breath control for maximum performance on wind instruments. The Breathing Gym techniques are widely used by music schools and professional bands and have even garnered attention from the medical community for their potential benefits to cancer patients and menopausal and post-menopausal women experiencing hot flashes.
Yoga Connection
Yoga is a holistic healing system that combines conscious breathing and movement to increase the flow of energy, or prana, and improve a practitioner's physical, psychic and emotional well-being. Pilafian and Sheridan have applied a number of the principals of yogic breathing, relaxation and flexibility to their own system, based on their knowledge that muscle tension and shallow, weak breathing inhibit sound and resonance.
Breathing Exercises
Exercise No. 1: Take a deep, slow breath and flex your arms and shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds, then quickly release the air and flexion. Repeat three to five times.
Exercise No. 2: Hum with your nose pinched to massage the sinuses for 5 seconds. Repeat three to five times.
Exercise No. 3: Take a deep breath, raise your arms over your head, then release your arms and take a big, loud sigh. Let your arms dangle by your side. Repeat three to five times.
Exercise No. 4: Create a buzzing sound with your lips to massage your inner ear for 5 seconds. Repeat three to five times.
Tags: five times, Repeat three, Repeat three five, three five, times