No air for solo ..

by JT
(Singapore)

Question: My senior has a problem with her solo. The notes are quite low, from low F to middle C. It lasts for 3 bars and is 69 beats per minutes. She doesn't have enough air to play the entire phrase, but the solo only sounds nice if it is played in one breathe. I need your help on how to last longer and with vibrato.


Answer: Breath support takes time to master. Have your student practice the phrase by adding one note at a time. When she can play that much of the solo, add another note.

Ask the student to take a double breath. First inhale deeply, then inhale again. The object is to breathe in as much air as possible. See my breath control page.

Also, see the suggestions I made here.

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