5 Tips To Improve Breathing and Posture
Author: Andrea Brachfeld, Guest Contributor
Physical, spiritual and mental practices have become a daily trend for millions of people, but have musicians embraced and incorporated them into their daily practice routines? Instrumental musicians pay very close attention to the functionality of their instruments, as there are many moving parts that work harmoniously to provide its player with a beautiful voice. If one component is off or not working, similar to a bulb being out on a strand of Christmas lights, it could disrupt that harmony. I imagine most musicians are aware their bodies are also a component of the instrument, but is the same care given to their body as their instrument(s)?
Jazz and Latin Jazz flutist, Andrea Brachfeld offers these 5 Tips To Improve Breathing and Posture to use in conjunction with your practice routine.
Use Every Part of Your Body That Retains Air - One must train the body to use every part that retains air to use when playing an instrument that requires using your breath. You can start with keeping your diaphragm muscles open to allow the air to flow in naturally, then fill your lungs, throat and nose.
Keep Your Diaphragm/Stomach Muscles Open At All Times - In order to feel where the muscles are, stand up, then bend over forward and attempt to breathe. You will automatically expand your stomach.This is how you must always be breathing for an optimal sound on your instrument. When you are playing , you must be aware of keeping your muscles open to receive the air and never collapse your muscles. This will result in a thin sound whereas keeping your muscles open will result in a full sound at all times.
Do Pranayama - Pranayama is an ancient Eastern Indian practice of controlling the breath. Prana means breath or spirit and yama means control. There are many exercises that can be done but I would recommend the most popular - Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati and Ujjayi. These ancient practices increase your awareness of how you can control your breath.
Do Yoga - A few simple yoga exercises, such as arching and straightening your spine, the sun salutations, and the cow and cat exercises, done on a regular basis will increase your awareness of how your posture is maintained. A very simple beginning perhaps might be to sit in a chair in such a way so that your back feels the chair throughout your spine. Eventually you can sit on the ground in a cross legged position being aware of a straight spine without arching your midback.
Be Aware Of The Energy of Your Breath (aka - your words) - When you speak you are using your breath to create words. Be aware of what you say and what your thoughts are as they affect the energy around you and the people you are speaking to. We as musicians are blessed with the talent to transfer our thoughts, emotions and ideas into breath vibrations. Be aware of what you are sharing with your audience and how it affects them and yourself.
By incorporating these practices into your daily practice routine, you’ll start to fine tune the most important part of your instrument, you. Some of these ideas can also help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as provide a time of mindfulness. Nowadays we are so much more aware of strategies to help cope with the effects of stress, especially from the effects of the pandemic, which has disrupted our daily activities, work engagements and gigs.You can find an incredible amount of information on Yoga and Pranayama on the web, so do your research to find the program that best suits you. Remember to pay as much attention to yourself as you do your instrument. To good healthy living and good music!
About The Author
Award winning flutist, Andrea Brachfeld currently tours with her group, Andrea Brachfeld and Insight; The Bill O’ Connell Jazz Latin Quintet; Bill Connell and the Afro Caribbean Ensemble (ACE); and The Bill O’ Connell Quartet / Dave Valentin Tribute Band. Andrea has discovered that no matter what you are doing in your life, you have the ability to partake in the creative process. Andrea’s newest project, called “Brazilian Whispers” was released on Origin Records on January 17, 2020, featuring Bill O’Connell, Harvie S, Jason Tiemann, Roni Ben-Hur, Lincoln Goines, T Portinho and Chembo Corniel. andreabrachfeld.com