There is a recent book on circular breathing for the flute, which comes with pieces can't be done without the technique. I think its an uncommon school of thought and many reject it, but can be a powerful skill once mastered.
Hi James, yep it's a great skill. Unconventional, but definitely useful, just mostly not needed in classical music if you learn the right blowing and breathing technique. That's cool about the recent book - i'll go check it out! THanks!
Yes! You're totally right Bonnilyn, puffing cheeks out is part of circular breathing! Like in the didgeridoo, as I'm sure you've seen. Since playing the flute doesn't need circular breathing, we don't need to puff out our cheeks :)
Jane, might puffy cheeks indicate that a student is not lowering their jaw enough? I think that was one of the problems I had. I noticed my cheeks puffing out, and tried to tense up my cheeks to stop it, but that was not helpful. However, when I learnt to drop my jaw to help with 2nd and 3rd register notes, not only could I play high notes more easily, I also noticed that this was stretching my cheeks... so they weren't so puffy :)
Yes, that's correct, cheeks should not be puffing up that much. Normally it is due to using too much air and that the student's cheeks are not firm, meaning they are getting pushed out by the airstream.
There is a recent book on circular breathing for the flute, which comes with pieces can't be done without the technique. I think its an uncommon school of thought and many reject it, but can be a powerful skill once mastered.
Hi James, yep it's a great skill. Unconventional, but definitely useful, just mostly not needed in classical music if you learn the right blowing and breathing technique. That's cool about the recent book - i'll go check it out! THanks!
I've often seen cheek 'puffing' when the flutist is using circular breathing...
Looking forward to more info about the Masterclass!
Yes! You're totally right Bonnilyn, puffing cheeks out is part of circular breathing! Like in the didgeridoo, as I'm sure you've seen. Since playing the flute doesn't need circular breathing, we don't need to puff out our cheeks :)
Jane, might puffy cheeks indicate that a student is not lowering their jaw enough? I think that was one of the problems I had. I noticed my cheeks puffing out, and tried to tense up my cheeks to stop it, but that was not helpful. However, when I learnt to drop my jaw to help with 2nd and 3rd register notes, not only could I play high notes more easily, I also noticed that this was stretching my cheeks... so they weren't so puffy :)
Yes, that's correct, cheeks should not be puffing up that much. Normally it is due to using too much air and that the student's cheeks are not firm, meaning they are getting pushed out by the airstream.