Re: [Harp-L] Improving Breathing Problems with Harmonica

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

Here's a quick awareness program for those more interested in learning about correct breathing and how it relates to harmonica playing as well as overall health.
 
Lie on your back in bed (easily done before going to sleep). Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Breathe easily, slowly and deeply and focus/feel the rise and fall of your stomach. If done properly, only that hand moves. The one on the chest doesn't. This is correct and natural breathing, which can be improved and extended by lengthening the inhale/exhale time.
 
Then, switch to "chest breathing", holding the stomach still and expanding the chest. The hand on the stomach shouldn't move, but now the hand on the chest will. This is shallow breathing and is not efficient use of your lungs nor the muscles. However, this may be how you breathe when tense or when trying to hold your gut in.
 
There is a place for "chest breathing" in harmonica playing - mostly when you need to move from inhale to exhale very quickly (a la John Popper). However, it should be used sparingly and only when necessary. The diaphragmatic breathing is the preferred route to take for fuller tone and control.

It also improves health through more efficient intake of oxygen and expelling CO2.
 
Live long and prosper.
 
The VulcanMan