How to Fill Your Lungs, And Your Ears

Just returned from the casa de mi pianist where I got an excellent violin workout courtesy of Kreisler, Dvorak, Kroll, and Geminiani. Great stuff.

And I did some quality breathing to boot, which is what I’m a goin’ to talk to you about now.

As promised, I have the link to where you can get the best DVD on breathing and violin playing you will ever find. Not saying that to brag, just don’t think there’s anything that comes close out there.

Proper breathing is essential to your success as a violinist. It oxygenates your blood, makes you more alert, relaxes you, informs your phrasing, and helps with your timing.

You know, as we age we tend to loose lung-power. The biggest reason for this is simply that most Americans take breathing for granted and gradually loose the ability to move the diaphragm. The muscle just atrophies away.

It doesn’t need to happen.

Good news is, you can get it back. And just so you know, exercise is great, but it is only part of the picture. Even many so-called athletes have a poor understanding of how oxygen is best drawn into the body. I witness it ever day watching joggers plod by my house with no clue of the self-imposed limitation they’re struggling under.

So, you will find a few different exercises on the DVD. All of which engage the diaphragm muscle. Once you get them down without the violin, it’s a simple matter to incorporate them into an open string warm-up or even something more advanced like double stop scales.

Now, as I said yesterday, this DVD is the first DVD in my beginner’s circle. And rather than edit away everything that doesn’t relate specifically to breathing I’m going to leave it in.

What is said about the bow and violin hold, bowing mechanics, and left and finger movements is superb, in my humble opinion. I know that many of you with nagging bad habits are going to love what this information will do for you.

Well, the rest is up to you. What I am asking for this power packed DVD is a joke, really. But this way nobody’s pocket book is going to scream and holler in protest. And won’t that be nice, for a change.

Here’s the link you need.

All the Best,

Clayton Haslop