Breath support

by Jen G
(Daylesford, Vic, Australia)

Question:
Hi, there. I love playing and you have been a wonderful help. Makes a difference when your teacher is a flute teacher. There are many little things you show that make a big difference. I still have trouble getting enough breath for 2 bars. I think I'm blowing a lot out just after I get the breath. Do you have exercises to master this? Many thanks again for all your fabulous help :-)

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Answer: Thanks, Jen! Glad to hear my site is helpful.

As you've discovered already, breath support is difficult on the flute because the air is used so inefficiently compared to other instruments.

Think of it - other instruments have a mouthpiece and the air is blown directly into it. Little is lost.

With the flute, however, the air is blown ACROSS the headjoint and we lose a lot out the sides. So we have to work even harder!

Here are a couple of tips...
1) Inhale two times, one big breath and then a short small breath just before you play.

2) Practice playing one additional note in your phrase. Don't try playing more than that until you have it mastered that amount. Then play two additional notes. Keep going until you can do the entire two bars in one breath.

3) Keep that mental image of pushing out all the way around your mid section as you inhale, like you're swallowing a hula hoop and it's sitting at your waistline.

4) Practice these inhale/exhale exercises...
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 7 seconds
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds
etc. up to...
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 12 seconds

Practice these techniques consistently and you will be amazed at how your breath support will improve and the longer phrases that you can sustain.

Good luck and keep practicing!